RICHMOND — Ants. They drive me crazy and I usually do not even mind bugs. Every year they seem to try to find their way into our homes and forage for food. But what can be done about these little nuisances?
Well, the mistake most people make when attempting to control ants is only spraying the ones they see. This approach usually fails because the ants seen foraging over exposed surfaces are only a small portion of the colony. Typically, there will be thousands of additional ants, including one or more egg-laying queens hidden somewhere in a nest. The importance of eliminating queens and other colony members within nests cannot be overstated and is the key to effective ant control.
Ants build their nests in many different locations, both inside and outside of buildings. Control of indoor-nesting ants requires a somewhat different approach than for ants nesting outdoors, because indoor nests usually are hidden or inaccessible. The advantage to using baits is that foraging ants take the insecticide back to the nest and feed it to the queen(s) and other members of the colony. In a relatively short period of time (often within a week) the colony is destroyed.
Ant baits are easy to use. Most homeowner formulations come pre-packaged with the insecticide and food attractant confined within a plastic, child-resistant station. Three of the more effective containerized bait products which can be purchased in most grocery, hardware and discount stores are Combat Quick Kill® and Combat SuperBait® for ants, and Raid Ant Bait Plus with Mettastop®. Place baits next to wherever ants are seen, preferably beside ant trails — invisible odor trails that worker ants follow between food and the nest.
Do not spray other insecticides or cleaning agents around the bait stations as this will keep ants from feeding on the bait. Initially, you should see an increase in the number of ants around the bait station. Do not spray them. This indicates that the ants are feeding on the bait and transporting the insecticide back to the nest. Ant activity around the bait station should subside in a few days as the number of ants in the colony declines. Continue to place other baits wherever ants are seen.
Two other baits that often work well are Terro Ant Killer II® and Dr. Moss’s Liquid Bait System®. Both are formulated as sweet, liquid baits which certain types of ants often prefer. When placing liquid ant baits indoors, the bait can be confined in a shallow film or pill container cap, inside 1-inch lengths of cut plastic straws, or on the back (non-sticky side) of masking tape placed along ant trails, but away from children and pets. Replenish daily until activity ceases.
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Lifestyles & Community
Get ants under control
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Is MSG (monosodium glutamate) harmful?
Monsodium gluatamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer often added to Chinese food, soups, processed meats and canned vegetables. The use of MSG remains controversial despite a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) statement that it is safe. Because of this, the FDA requires that whenever MSG is added, that it be listed on the label.
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Common-sense job hunting
I spent a day with a high-powered and high-profile friend who mentioned that he has more than 700 people a year ask him to help get a new job.
He’s not in the employment business, but is super well connected.
Every now and then, he gets the right person to the right job. -
It’s a love thing
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long, we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” — Romans 8:35-39
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Managing the calving season
Providing sound management during the calving season can mean more live calves.
Excessive losses can mean the difference between a year’s profit or loss for a beef producer.
It is important to have a short calving period to allow frequent observation and assistance if needed. -
Spinach: It’s not just for Popeye anymore
A spinach-loving reader recently approached me to request a column on things to do with her favorite vegetable.
“Favorite vegetable?” You may ask, and rightly so.
When many of us were growing up …and we’re talking Baby Boomers here, the only spinach product known to us was the stuff that came in a can, and it was, in a word, horrible! -
Topping trees is a bad practice
Topping damages hundreds of trees each year in Kentucky.
Many people are unaware of the detrimental effects of this practice.
Topping involves the drastic removal or cutting back of large branches in mature trees leaving stubs.
Topping can make a tree hazardous and reduce its life. -
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Many people are aware that their credit score is important, but do not really understand what it is or how to build a strong credit score.
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Josh Logan to perform in Kirksville
Hello everyone. Josh Logan will perform at Kirksville Community Center on Saturday from 6:30 to 11 p.m. and will entertain you with some great music.
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Church group to discuss ‘Bad Women of the Bible’
Tates Creek Baptist Church is having a special Coffee Talk Bible Study to discuss “The Bad Women of the Bible” on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 11 a.m. in the church, located on Boonesborough Road.
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Preschool screenings and birthday surprises
Hi!
... and the wind blew and blew. Perhaps this is the windy season!
Where is the snow? Students are starting to do snow dances, hoping they can coax enough snow to fall so they can make a proper snowman.
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