Ants and council properties

senileturtle

I live in a council bungalow. I recently had ants coming in through a hole near the door. I filled that with filler and used both cinnamon and lemon juice repellents. However now they have discovered the front door which has a slight gap under it.

As the council were the ones who put the door in in the first place are they not responsible for making sure it is sealed properly to stop infestations and floods?

I spoke to one person on the phone and they said it was my responsibility and that they could only advise for me to use ant powder (which I won't for varying reasons, including it being a danger to my pets if they consumed it), or replace the door myself which would cost me hundreds of pounds that I certainly don't have.

Any advice?

McKneff

Lots of ant powder is fine with animals and is very effective.
If you buy it from Poundstretchers or £1 shop its not too bad.
But I blummin' hate them too.....


And be careful, the council might just cosider these ants to be pets and work on eviction for you.
(sorry, just my little joke)
Annie

senileturtle

Ant powder is toxic to cats. I also will not use it for ethical reasons either. Besides, unless you kill the Queen, the ants will keep coming as they know from the scout ants that there is something in the house they want. Oddly enough though they never leave carrying anything.

For now I have been sweeping up the ants into a dustpan and brush and placing them outside unharmed, but I can't keep doing that forever.

elsien

They can get in through the smallest hole so I don't think sealing the door will necessarily stop them - I've had them come up under the shower tray the last few years and pest control can't help as they can't get to the nest to spray it.
Dethlac spray is safe for pets once dry so you could spray that across the door where they're coming in. Then find the nest and deal with that, otherwise they'll keep coming back.

Crinkmeister

Nippon Ant Killer Bait works well.

wallbash

options

Get rid of cat
Let the cat take a risk

Sweep for ever.

Buy a new door ( wont be much of a help)
Learn to love ants.
Certainly not a Council problem.

somethingcorporate

Tricky one, it may be best consulting an expert in pest control to see if they can find out where they are coming from and taking out the nest.

Even a brand new door would not fit perfectly, leaving more than enough space for a tiny ant to fit through.

macman

somethingcorporate wrote: »

Tricky one, it may be best consulting an expert in pest control to see if they can find out where they are coming from and taking out the nest.

Even a brand new door would not fit perfectly, leaving more than enough space for a tiny ant to fit through.[/QUOTE]

Or even enough space for a very large ant...;)

Mojisola

senileturtle wrote: »

I also will not use it for ethical reasons either. Besides, unless you kill the Queen, the ants will keep coming as they know from the scout ants that there is something in the house they want.

The ants take the poison back to the nest which does result in the queen's death.

You have the choice between your ethical reasons for not using ant powder or you can get rid of the ants.

It's not the council's fault.

tanith

So if you got a wasps/bees nest would you also expect the council to take of that? You are the householder its your responsibility

Fluff15

senileturtle wrote: »

Ant powder is toxic to cats. I also will not use it for ethical reasons either. Besides, unless you kill the Queen, the ants will keep coming as they know from the scout ants that there is something in the house they want. Oddly enough though they never leave carrying anything.

For now I have been sweeping up the ants into a dustpan and brush and placing them outside unharmed, but I can't keep doing that forever.

Apparently a line of chalk/talcum powder will stop them crossing, but I've not tried it myself. The talc stops the scent trail so they don't recognise the senses to your house, plus they hate walking on the powder.

Or, how about setting up a sugar source away from the door to stop them coming in and looking for that instead? No death required and you're helping the ants out

ETA: I'm not sure what recompense you'd want from the council, as ants are little blighters and unless your house is completely airtight they'd have got in anyway. At least you know where they're getting in, so can deal with them how you see fit.