Daitomaceous earth for red black ants

Tom

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Human food grade DE is safe, but I've tried it multiple times, multiple ways and its never been the least bit effective in my area.

Are you in GA? If yes, the Terro ant bait might not work well for you. They work well here because its so dry and the ants want the moisture. Not the case in the rainy wet south. You might have to use the Amdro Ant Granules, and just keep the tortoise out of that area until the ants have carried it all away.

I prefer not to use anything pesticidal, but sometimes I have to make an exception.
 
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Cynthia Whitehead

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Yes, in Georgia. I'll try food grade DE earth. I have set out Terro ant bait in a small area around the tree in their enclosure and have blocked off the tortoises access. I've also used herbal remedies to try and get rid of these awful ants to no avail. If I must I'll use Amdro and just keep the torts out of their pen until the granules are gone but only as a last resort. Thank you so much for replying.
 

wellington

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I've read in a number of places that oatmeal is recommended. They eat it, drink, and the oatmeal expands and kills them.
I have no idea if it works.
 

ZenHerper

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If you can dust the DE on visible ants and the entrances to their nests, that might improve the odds of getting the razor sharp dust down to the queen and larvae.

The problem with DE is that when it gets wet, damp, humidified in any way - it will be rendered inert. It needs to be reapplied daily in a very humid environment.
 

Cynthia Whitehead

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Thanks all for your reply. Unfortunately, I've not been able to find the entrance to the nest. It would be nice if I could. We had a huge tree removed year before last next to where I've put my pen and the tree was full of ants. I guess they were also in the root system. Unfortunately, I have no other place to put my pen. As far as the oatmeal, I tried it when we had the big tree. It did nothing. Also tried grits. I'll remember to reapply DE every day if it gets wet.
 

ZenHerper

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Yep. That's the True problem with ant nests...they can be at a far distance from where we find activity. It is that long travel that shakes loose/wears off topical treatments. Additionally, some colonies are comprised of multiple queens and their nests. You have to be persistent in discouraging them to stay on your property.

 

ZenHerper

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Borax is a great ant killer. You mix it with something that ants find tasty (jelly, peanut butter, cat food).

Do some lure tests to find out what kind of ant palate you are dealing with, at a distance from the tort habitat. Once you know what kind of food your colony likes, you can mix the lure food with borax.

 

Tom

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Borax is a great ant killer. You mix it with something that ants find tasty (jelly, peanut butter, cat food).

Do some lure tests to find out what kind of ant palate you are dealing with, at a distance from the tort habitat. Once you know what kind of food your colony likes, you can mix the lure food with borax.

The Terro ant baits are sugar water and boric acid.
 

ZEROPILOT

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I've also found no good use for DE outdoors.
I use Amdro poison/baits in my yard and inside my enclosures in glass mayonnaise type jars with holes poked in the lids.
This makes the baits pretty waterproof and completely safe for my tortoises.
Are these CARPENTER ANTS?
If they are relatively harmless, non biting ants, the need to get rid of all of them isn't there. And they are simply a nuisance.
Georgia has FIRE ANTS. They can kill a tortoise.
Knowing the type will be helpful.
 

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