[Pil-pc-oceania] Ant infestation

[Deb Guildner]

Thanks, and here's some data re boracic acid and borax..as you can see it is also somewhat toxic, so OHS rules apply here too, especially for those with a kidney weakness. 
Remember that it can be absorbed via the skin, but is slow to be excreted.

Wikipedia re boric acid (a salt of which is borax) :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boric_acid#Insecticidal_use :
Insecticidal use
Boric acid was first registered in the US as an insecticide in 1948 for control of cockroaches, termites, fire ants, fleas, silverfish, and many other insects. [3] It acts as a stomach poison affecting the insects' metabolism, and the dry powder is abrasive to the insects' exoskeleton.

Boric acid is generally considered to be safe to use in household kitchens to control cockroaches and ants. Homemade ant bait can be made by dissolving 1 teaspoon (5 mL) powdered boric acid and 10 teaspoons (50 mL) sugar into 2 cups (500 mL) of water; this mixture can then be absorbed into cotton balls which are left near ant trails. This reportedly will be carried back into the ants' nest, decimating or even completely wiping out the colony.


Preservative Use
In combination with its use as an insecticide it also prevents and destroys existing wet and dry rot in timbers. It can be used in combination with an ethylene glycol carrier to treat external wood against fungal and insect attack. It is possible to buy Borate impregnated rods for insertion into wood via drill holes where damp and moisture is known to collect and sit. It is available in a gel form and injectable paste form for treating rot affected wood without the need to replace the timber. You can buy concentrates of Borate based timber treatments which can be sprayed or dipped. Surface treatments prevent slime, mycelium and algae growth even in marine environments. There is a wide range of manufacturers of wood preservers based on boric acid/ borate mineral salts.

Boric Acid is added to salt in the curing of cattle hides, calf skins and sheep skins. Used in that way it helps to control bacteria development and also aids in the control of insects".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borax :

Toxicity (of borax)
Boric acid, sodium borate, and sodium perborate are estimated to have a lethal dose (LD50) from 0.1 to 0.5 g/kg in humans[verification needed][5]. These substances are toxic to all cells, and have a slow excretion rate through the kidneys. Kidney toxicity is the greatest, with liver fatty degeneration, cerebral edema, and gastroenteritis. A reassessment of boric acid/borax by the United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticide Programs found potential developmental toxicity (especially effects on the testes).[6] Boric acid solutions used as an eye wash or on abraded skin are known to be especially toxic to infants, especially after repeated use because of its slow elimination rate.[7]

............................................

Thanks for all invaluable tips and tricks, great stuff...yes, I realised that supermarket was the key to borax availablility, and no doubt cheap as well. I havent been using it as a cleaning aid, but I will make up mix in a spray bottle. Anyone got a recipe ie ratio of powder to water...will it stay in solution, if you shake it up before application?  

I'll look for the product David outlines at the supermarket too.

These bitey ants are always worse in the heat....guess the little blighters are desperate. 
Its 38 again here today, and dry as a lime burner's boot. It's hotter here in Adelaide this month than Alice Springs. There are no more hot/dry records here to break this month....It's even worse that last years effort.
The changing seasons (autumn and spring) are becoming ever more extreme and erratic. Last year here April was a record wet, May a record cold, and June a record dry. Expect the unexpected... 

Thanks again to all.

Deb
Adelaide
14th day over 35 deg.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: David Arnold 
  To: permacultue discussion list 
  Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 1:02 PM
  Subject: Re: [Pil-pc-oceania] Ant infestation


  deb,

  ant rid is not a powder, just has boron and sweet solution in it, as i said

  david

   
  On 16/03/2008, Pat <clamshell at iinet.net.au> wrote: 


    On 16/03/2008, at 7:55 AM, Deb Guildner wrote:


      Might have to revisit the labels on Ant Rid style powder pest control products...many have chemicals in them.
      Unfortunately among the plethora of ant powders et al at the local hardware store, I found no borax product in stock.

     
    Hi, Deb,

     
    Look for borax in supermarkets, usually in the area for laundry soaps.  You can probably make up your own boron-laced ant mixture depending on what those particular ants favour.  Some species like protein, others prefer sugars.

     
    Cheers,
    Pat

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  David Arnold
  Permaculture Designer
  4446 Murchison Rd
  Violet Town VIC AUS 3669
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