Taking care of ants indoors
- , by Trudy Chuoke Trudy Chuoke
Last week we talked about taking care of ants outside in the yard. I like taking care of them outside before they get indoors. But those pesky little bugs are so tiny that it doesn’t take much space between a door or window for them to push their way into your home. So, let’s talk about safe ways to rid your home of ants, roaches, and scorpions.
Years ago, I used a local pest control company, and they came about every 90 days and would spray every corner throughout the house and then the perimeter around the outside of the house. After they were done, it smelled like my house had been doused with a strong chemical. And back then, I thought… if it smells that strong, it much work well. But you know, before the 90 days was up, I was seeing little ants and roaches. It was very frustrating.
A few years later we came across a chemical company right here in Texas that promised we could be our own pest control service saving you hundreds of dollars each year instead of paying for a service. Clobber is an amazing pest control product that you can use yourself. Handling this on your own is easy. Let me tell you how easy it is. About every 60 days before I go to work, I spray the inside of the house. I put lil Max in the car and take about three minutes to spray around the baseboards of the inside of the house. I don’t move any furniture I just spray the exposed areas. I spray doorways that lead outside and pay special attention to windows in the kitchen where water is prevalent. Clobber is a water-based product. I like that because it dries fast and has little odor. Clobber is safe around children and pets as soon as it’s dry. It’s non staining, safe on any flooring and upholstery. It controls roaches, ants, scorpions, spiders, silverfish and so many other bugs.
Another product I like to use is a bait station under my sinks and windowsills. Rescue makes an ant bait that is mess-free. It is a gel-based bait attracting ants with a sugar protein mix. It’s animal and child resistant. Using Clobber and a bait station is a dual answer for taking care of ants in your home.
You can find Clobber and Rescue on our website www.happyhandyman.com that can be shipped to you.
Now to the email….
Question: We have some flagstones outside that has developed efflorescence. I know it’s from moisture coming though the stone and leaving salt stains behind. The question is how to remove it? And is there a way to keep it from coming back?
Answer: You are completely right about the staining on the flagstone. And this is an easy fix. Using muriatic acid is the way to clean. But not any acid, use Acid Magic. I like Acid Magic because it has 90 % less fumes and doesn’t burn on contact. Acid Magic only comes in a gallon, so transfer it to a quart sized spray bottle. Wet the stone and then spray the stains on the stone. It will foam up, then scrub with a stiff brush. Rinse with clear water. Let it dry and then apply Dry Lok Natural to seal the stone. Great question!
Question: I have a crystal stemless glass that has a beautiful rhinestone metal piece on the front. I know not to put this in the dishwasher, but not everyone else knows and this last time, the decorative piece fell off the front. I want to re-attach the décor with a crystal-clear adhesive. And since I’m asking, is there an adhesive that is dishwasher safe?
Question: Loctite makes a glass glue that dries clear and is fast bonding. Apply the glue to one side, either the glass or the metal piece and press into place. It set up quickly, but let it cure for a week. After that you can hand wash or place it in the dishwasher.
Question: I have grout around my tub that I clean and then a month later it’s stained with mildew, and I am scrubbing on my hands and knees again. Is there a product that I wouldn’t have to scrub?
Answer: If it’s white grout, Zep Mold and Mildew Stain Remover. Just spray and let air dry.