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Ants in Carlsbad Under the Kitchen Sink | Proof That I can Blog About Anything

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. CA DRE #01490977

Ants in Carlsbad Under the Kitchen Sink, a.k.a. Proof That I can Blog About Anything 

Do you have ants in Carlsbad? I do.

I'm ashamed to admit it, but they can't be denied. And since there is a contest going on, what a great opportunity to write about them.

Terro Liquid Ant BaitAnts are pretty common in our area and fortunately we often just have them outside in the yard. But sometime we get them in our homes. Such is the case in mine. 

We have ants in Carlsbad under our kitchen sink. And elsewhere. They are driving us nuts. We can seemingly "get rid of them" and not see anything for days, then all of a sudden they re-appear with a vengeance. It's not like there is food scattered about. 

I appreciate that ants are amazing creatures, and that they can live in just about any climate on earth. Some have a pretty nasty bite. 

Despite all this, ants are annoying, folks generally don't like then (OK, kids have ant farms), and when you see them in a house you tend to get a certain impression.

And it's likely if you are a buyer your home inspector will point them out.

So what do you do? 

Ants under our kitchen sink in Carlsbad CA

Terro Liquid Ant BaitTerro is a good solution. Terro Liquid ant bait attracts the ants. They carry it back to the nest and share it with the colony (isn't that friendly?) and ultimately the active ingredient, borax, will help eliminate the colony. It takes time, and you will attract A LOT of ants initially. 

We've learned also that sprinkling borax around the perimeter of the home will, supposedly, keep ants out. Of course if they are already in, does this keep them from leaving? Here are some other home remedies to take care of ants

Some folks simply go right to the exterminator - Antbusters is a popular vendor in our area. 

I'm sure you've already heard more than you care about my ant problem, but since it can be a problem in any house (yep, I've seen them in multimillion dollar homes - they don't discriminate), perhaps these tips will be helpful should you find ants under your kitchen sink.

Posted by

Jeff Dowler, CRS
Certified Residential Specialist / Realtor®


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Marilyn Boudreaux
Marilyn Boudreaux, Century 21 Bono Realty - Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles LA Century 21 Realtor

ants are a problem we dont have them in the house but they show up in the flower beds and yard...fire ants and if you kill the mound they just move its an on going battle.  I think its interesting to notice the regional problems.  We had ants in Florida and the exterminator called them sugar ants very tiny black ants and you are right they dont discriminate among homes!

Oct 18, 2010 05:19 PM
Lisa Orme
The Master's Key Realty LLC -Windsor, CT - HARTFORD COUNTY - Windsor, CT
Broker/Realtor, ABR, CRS,GRI, PSCS, SFR, Notary Pu

Jeff, the home-remedy site is a great link! I have struggled with the ant problem as well. We have lost 3 very large trees off our property in the past three years, and it seems the ants were nesting in every one of them. Now they are looking for new territory and they think the houses are as good as the trees that are now missing. I found the borax and sugar water works very well, but didn't like using it in some areas of the kitchen, especially with pets. I'm going to try a couple of the more "natural" remedies on your link. Thanks!

Oct 18, 2010 06:26 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Yes, they can be annoying; but better ants than roaches.  Years ago, I used to work on Black Flag so I used to deal with this stuff a lot.

Oct 18, 2010 10:37 PM
Gail C. Harris
Resource Network, LLC SFR, AHWD, ACRE, SMAR Board Director - Chesapeake Beach, MD
Reach the BEACH with Gail C. Harris (cell: 703.868

Ever heard of ants getting into a car?  My nephew was here from NC and he said his car which is parked out side and was close to a bale of hay or something, has had ants in it.  Not just in the motor but has gotten into the cars..hundreds... any remedy you know of??? :)

Oct 19, 2010 12:03 AM
Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

You're going to have to stop hiding under the sink while sneaking those midnight snacks Jeff!

Great job sharing remedies for ant-proofing your home.

Oct 19, 2010 01:34 AM
DEBORAH STONE
Balboa Real Estate San Diego, CA - San Diego, CA

Jeff-

My tenants have ant problems on occasion, and I did some research and found out that ants despise talcum powder. So for a "green" cure for ants, I sprinkle Johnson's Baby Talcum powder on all my door thresholds and never have seen an ant close to my home!

Oct 19, 2010 01:44 AM
Lee & Pamela St. Peter
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU Realty: (919) 645-2522 - Raleigh, NC
Making Connections to Success in Real Estate

Excellent Jeff!  I'd say you matched the contest rules to a tee!  Under the sink, a blog, links, and all tied into your profession...  perfect

P.S I like Deborah's suggestion above ~ will try that.  I heard once they don't like vinagar and to wipe your counters etc with it...  That was a bust... :)  Good luck on the contest!

Oct 19, 2010 02:55 AM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Jeff,

Greetings from Parma Italy. The other night my wife inadvertantly had a gourmet plate at dinner and ants were on the saucer below.

Oct 19, 2010 03:51 AM
Dave Gubler
Mission Viejo, Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Ladera Ranch - Lake Forest, CA
Realtor | Orange County

Love the boraxx quandary... would hate to keep the ants in.

Oct 19, 2010 05:17 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Gosh I love friendly, sharing ants, don't you?!  Good luck!

Hey, will I be seeing you at NAR?  

 

Oct 19, 2010 08:45 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Jeff ants can be tough to get rid of, especially the two legged kind ............ ooops those are aunts :)

seriously ants are a real turn off to anyone looking at a house, or even when we just have someone over.  Need to get rid of those little guys as quickly as possible.

Oct 19, 2010 10:33 AM
Donald Hester
NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA
NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Jeff,

Seen them before, will see em again. They can be stubborn to get rid of. Good post.

Oct 19, 2010 12:14 PM
Kat DeLong
Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert - Prescott, AZ
REALTOR

My writing mentor always remind me.... there is ALWAYS a tale to tale. And this proves it. ANTs. Who'da thunk? 

Good one, Jeff. :-)

Oct 19, 2010 02:02 PM
Gloria Todor
Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA
& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

Jeff, Where's that ant eater when you need it?  Great post for the contest.

Gloria

Oct 19, 2010 02:49 PM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Jeff

You truly are a Renaissance man. I learned more about combating ants today. Good post.

Oct 19, 2010 03:53 PM
Melissa Zavala
Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA
Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

I missed the contest, and hopefully I missed the ants as well.

Oct 20, 2010 11:40 AM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

HAHAHA! I like this post and in the past when we had "uninvited guests" I had to have permission from my wife to blog about it AND the Pest Control company that saved the day!

Oct 20, 2010 05:17 PM
Irene Kennedy Realtor® in Northwestern NJ
Weichert - Lopatcong, NJ

I am thrilled that I'm not the only one with unwanted guests under my sink! Although I think, Jeff, I might prefer ants to mice.

Oct 21, 2010 01:46 AM
Elyse Berman, PA
LoKation Real Estate - Boca Raton, FL
Boca Raton FL (561) 716-7824

Thanks, Jeff.  I've bookmarked your post for when I find ants (not in case but when!)  We have teeny tiny ones outside that get caught in the dogs' fur.  They get brushed and combed each time I bring them in to get rid of the critters!

Oct 23, 2010 03:25 PM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Good one Jeff!  I was surprised by an influx of ants this Fall. Usually I get them in the Spring and this year I didn't get the exterminator in so I had to deal with round two.  Thanks for the tips.

Liz

Nov 02, 2010 03:35 PM