Please Help, ANTS!!!

Kiwi_04

New Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2017
Messages
8
Location (City and/or State)
New York
Hi, this evening I went to check on my 6 year old Russian Tortoise Kiwi. I noticed on the wall there was a moving black line. Then I looked closer, ANTS!!! The ants had crawled from the window where the enclosure is under, onto its walls and into the substrate. I spot clean every 1-2 weeks and there had been some left over food. The ants were eating the food and were crawling all throughout the substrate. They were even carrying what I believe to be eggs and placing them right next to Kiwi's feeding rock. There was a huge pile of them. I lifted up the rock and there were even more ants. I immediately took Kiwi out. Then I grabbed a bowl and took the rock outside. I sprayed window cleaner onto tge walls, which kills ants, life hack. No cleaner made its way into the enclosure. I tried to get as many ants out as possible, but I'm still hesitant to put Kiwi back inside. When I built the enclosure, I put a layer of black lining around the edges and bottom. I'm worried that the ants made their way in between that and made a nest. If anyone has any information to help me out, that would be great. I really appreciate it.
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,391
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
If you go to our 'search' feature and type in 'ant remedies' it will come back with several that we have posted in the past.

Black ants won't harm your tortoise.
 

atlfrog

Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2018
Messages
39
Location (City and/or State)
US
Windex kills ants on the spot and can help wipe trails. No real fix. Balsamic Viniger and Lemon Juice a 50:50 ratio is known to be one of the best natural organic insecticides. I wouldn't spray it in the pen but around the entire perimeter is alright. You have to reapply appromix every 3 weeks depending on weather. Results are different for everyone. Advanced non organic pesticides, commonly used, last about 3 to 4 weeks. Pesticides is my field of work. Sooner or later not. :)
 

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
23,497
Location (City and/or State)
UK
I would change the substrate if you are concerned, and also remove all uneaten food every night.
A good chemical free and tort safe ant killer is the food grade Diatomaceous Earth, it takes a while to work but if you put it near where the ants are coming in your home it will get rid of them. But as already suggested if you search there are other non chemical ways.
 

atlfrog

Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2018
Messages
39
Location (City and/or State)
US
Just remember to make sure whatever you use cannot hurt your animals. Plenty of stuff out there, Google is your friend but also can be your enemy. Paranoia is always my friend. Lol
 

dmmj

The member formerly known as captain awesome
10 Year Member!
Joined
Aug 15, 2008
Messages
19,695
Location (City and/or State)
CA
I would change the substrate if you are concerned, and also remove all uneaten food every night.
A good chemical free and tort safe ant killer is the food grade Diatomaceous Earth, it takes a while to work but if you put it near where the ants are coming in your home it will get rid of them. But as already suggested if you search there are other non chemical ways.
I love food grade DE safe nontoxic not a poison so ants can't become immune. Awesome stuff
 

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
23,497
Location (City and/or State)
UK
I love food grade DE safe nontoxic not a poison so ants can't become immune. Awesome stuff
I ordered some off Amazon to deal with the ants, but after reading the packaging, I thought I'd take it myself in drinks because it sounded like a solution for everything! It tasted like clay so only managed a couple of drinks - not long enough to feel the benefit! I've not had ants in my pants since though;)
 
Top