Ants???

[Sucre]

I have a dilemma. We have an ant problem, every year at this time the rain runs them inside. I've always been able to deal with it quickly with Terro traps and spraying around doorways and window sills. It's a whole new ballgame with the birds. Apparently, the spray was what was working, and I can't use it. I've set up the Terro traps all over the place, but I have to be careful because of the dogs. I keep the cages clean, I really think the fruit and veggies I feed the birds are attracting them even more, even though I only leave it in the cages for an hour or so. I'm pretty sure the Terro is instant death for the ants, I never see any dead ones anywhere, but now I'm worrying that one of the ants will get in the poison and somehow make it into the bird cages - worse yet the food bowls and the birds might eat a poisoned ant.

I have no clue what to do that is safe for everyone. I have my little dogs so I can't even put the traps everywhere I need to, even if they are safe.

Anyone else had to deal with this?

[LunaLovebird]

I just had this problem. I used a mixture of borax, water and honey. About a teaspoon to a cup or so of warm water, plus the honey. Worked wonders, and it's safe. I had a small bowl underneath the cages, and then I also poured a small amount into the tray where the ants would congregate, and kept the birds out for the rest of the day. They were all gone or dead by the time I went to clean it up and put the birds back, and they have not returned.

[PlaxMacaws]

Hi Kim. LunaLovebird's solution is noted to be effective. There's also a deterrent solution that can be effective. It's cassia oil. Cassia oil is a pet-safe substance that keeps ants away, and I've personally had success with it. I buy the 100% cinnamon cassia oil (cinnimomum cassia) at a local health food store. I sprinkle a multitude of the drops into a plant mister filled with water and then mix it with a few shakes. I than spray any areas where ants are prone to enter the rooms. The ants hate the stuff and it just leaves a cinnamon aroma behind for a while. It won't kill the ants, but it should keep them from entering your living space. So it's another option. Good luck!

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[Dragonlady2]

You can use diatomaceous earth human grade. I used a plastic bottle with a tapered tip and put it around the baseboards. You can put a line around the outer edges of bottom drawer of the cage. . I have paper in the drawer which covers any excess powder. there are precautions....it is not poisonous but it will dry out eyes and lungs if inhaled. I have used this all around the bird room for moths with no issue. I also powder my dog and cats for fleas and ticks and give it to them in their food for worming.

[Doublete]

I live in the loft of a large horse barn... I have yet to figure out how the ants get into my apartment.
This year they seem worse and I'm ready to light a match to the place.
They got into my keurig! (Google ants in keurig and you'll see why I'm totally disgusted and my
Keurig is in the trash).

I honestly don't know what to do as I don't know HOW they're coming in.

[Mare]

Doublete, I have the same issue in the bird's room. I have no idea where they get in, there is no sign of them around the window or slider door.

[Sucre]

Thanks for the suggestions. Every time we think we are making headway with them, it rains again and new ones head back inside. I have stopped letting the birds have fruit inside their cages, only when they are out, and we remove it quickly.

I cannot for the life of me figure out where all of them are getting in! Right now, we've got a grip on it, but it is supposed to rain all weekend, so I may go shopping for your suggestions tomorrow - I've used the borax last weekend, it did seem to work.

I'm also wondering if the mulch we have in the flower beds around the house is contributing to our ant problem.

[Mare]

We get the big red "fire" ant hills in the yard, thankfully they don't come in the house but they are a nuisance around the aviary and dog food bowls. When I see their ant hill/home I sprinkle corn meal around the opening and they are all gone within 2-3 days.

[Macaw Lover]

Sevin, you can get that at a home & garden type store. Sprinkle that around and they will be gone in about 1 hr if not sooner. Breeders use that in the bottom of nests