Ants and how to get rid of them

Big Charlie

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I wasn't intending to say you aren't an experienced tortoise keeper. It's just common sense to think that ants are going in the enclosure to get food. But if you don't think they are getting any food then prevent them from getting in. 1: Spray their path with chemical cleaners. Chemical cleaners or ant poison will kill the ants in path and remove the sent they travel through. 2. Make a barrier with dried pepper. Ants hate dried pepper and will not cross it if a full barrier is made. 3. (MOST EFFECTIVE) Make a barrier with petroleum jelly. Ants hate the sent of petroleum jelly and it is too slippery for them to cross. These three will prevent ants from getting into your enclosure. I used to have a pet ant colony and used petroleum jelly to keep them in the containers, it also doesn't evaporate. Hope this helps :)
I hope I remember this the next time I get ants. Using petroleum jelly intrigues me.
 

Yvonne G

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No. The tortoise may be the food source the ants are seeking. It is obvious that you have not had to deal with what some other people in some other parts of the country have had to deal with. Some ant species in some areas will invade no matter how meticulously clean an

You know not, that which you speak of, and your advice in this thread could lead to disaster for someone. I'm not intending to insult you here, but people reading need to know that ants can be a serious and deadly threat to their tortoises, and it doesn't matter how clean or dirty the enclosure is kept.

@tortoiseplanet I have lost a few tortoises because the ants swarmed them and ate them alive. . . Not a pretty sight. I think you are referring to the common little black ant. There are other, more dangerous and destructive ants. Don't forget, this forum has members from all over the world, not just from your small piece of it.
 

Taco*mom

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@Tom, I read that Terro Ant Bait is most effective if used indoors. You also stated the same earlier. Have you tried this outdoor? What would you recommend for outdoor? I'm thinking about having my friend bring them over if you have good experience with it outdoor.

I have tried Yvonne's recipe with boric acid but only a few ants came. I probably have to tweak the recipe a little bit since I doubt the potency of the local boric acid. It might have been too strong..
 

wellington

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I use DE in my chicken coop for red mite, it literally kills every creepy crawly!! Very good stuff!
I just a couple chickens just for pets. I too was going to use it as I heard it will keep all the bugs, lice, mites etc away.
How do you use it, as a substrate or under their substrate?
 

katieandiggy

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I just a couple chickens just for pets. I too was going to use it as I heard it will keep all the bugs, lice, mites etc away.
How do you use it, as a substrate or under their substrate?

I spread it in the cracks where red mites like to hide, along all the joins in the wood, I also put it under the substrate just a thin layer, I rub it over the chickens feathers (every now and then) and I put it in their dust bath along with wood ash.

It has been known to sometimes cause respiratory issues but I personally have never experienced any issues and im part of a large chicken network and I haven’t heard anyone on there have issues either.

I had a bout of red mite a while back until someone recommended using it and I have never seen a mite since. It kills all of the bugs, spiders etc in the coop.

It looses it effectiveness if it gets wet though.
 

wellington

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I spread it in the cracks where red mites like to hide, along all the joins in the wood, I also put it under the substrate just a thin layer, I rub it over the chickens feathers (every now and then) and I put it in their dust bath along with wood ash.

It has been known to sometimes cause respiratory issues but I personally have never experienced any issues and im part of a large chicken network and I haven’t heard anyone on there have issues either.

I had a bout of red mite a while back until someone recommended using it and I have never seen a mite since. It kills all of the bugs, spiders etc in the coop.

It looses it effectiveness if it gets wet though.
Great thanks. Are you also on Backyard Chicken forum?
 

Ray--Opo

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When I moved Opo outside this summer to the screened porch. I had problems with ants going in his hide. I had read on another post to put cinnamon around the hide. Works great I watch a ant come to the edge of the cinnamon and turn around.
 
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katieandiggy

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Great thanks. Are you also on Backyard Chicken forum?

No I’m not, I didn’t realise they had a forum. I do use their website for help and advice. I’m part of a fb group called chicken brain, it’s uk based. They are very knowledgable. I’ll have a look at back yard chickens forum though. I prefer a forum to fb really.
 

Gig

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@Tom, I read that Terro Ant Bait is most effective if used indoors. You also stated the same earlier. Have you tried this outdoor? What would you recommend for outdoor? I'm thinking about having my friend bring them over if you have good experience with it outdoor.

I have tried Yvonne's recipe with boric acid but only a few ants came. I probably have to tweak the recipe a little bit since I doubt the potency of the local boric acid. It might have been too strong..
I use DE Food Grade and it REALLY WORKS !
 
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