Sugar ants

[RECESS]

I read what the archives had to say but had a more specific question. I have sugar ants coming across on my dock lines. If I soak my dock lines with Ortho do you think it will stop them? I really do not want to spray the whole boat with a four year old tending the tiller.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Spraying the dock lines will work

At least it did for me.

To keep ants off the boat in the future, spray your dock lines regularly and store all foods that aren't in a can or a bottle in an airtight plastic container. Rubbermaid makes enough sizes and shapes to suit any needs.

 

[RECESS]

Thanks Peggie.

 

[sailaway78]

Dock Lines

When I lived aboard in S.Texas, the dock roaches were horrible. I sprayed the dock lines regularly with whatever HD was selling at the time. About once a month seemed to do the trick, and kept all the don't wantem's off my boat. Should work on ants too. Not sure if it kills them or just repels them, but it does work.

 

[Benny]

I shoot off a bug spray bomb once a year in the closed off cabin and let it sit for a couple of days before airing the cabin. Flip the cushions upside down before you shoot and wash the pots and pans and clean the counters when you are done. The best advice is not to leave opened foods inside the boat. Sugar ants would hardly pose a problem but if you get a mouse inside the boat then you have a problem. If you ever get one the best advice is to get it as quickly as possible. Some claim is best not to use rat poison as the critter will die and you won't find him, believe me is best to put up with a little stink for a couple of days than having to rewire components and replace hoses. For some reason they love the refigerator drain hose which is a PITA to replace.

 

[Guest]

Ants

Borax powder is very effective at dealing with assorted ant species. Mix with sugar or honey to deal with the sugar ants. Most home improvement centers carry it in their bug killing department. I've had very good results using it and it is nontoxic to humans.

Terry Cox

 

[John T1594]

Re: Ants

We get sugar ants in our house in Florida. The best remedy we have found is something called Terro ant bait. It is sugar syrup and borax in a small plastic trap. You place it near the start of the ant traill (on the dock) and let them eat the stuff. You may have to ignor the ants for about two weeks but then they disappear. They carry the stuff back to their nest and it kills the whole colony. Other bug sprays are only temporary measures.