I Need Help

[RECYC...@aol.com]

Hello,

I live in northern California in a housing tract that was built over a
cherry orchard. Obviously, we have an abdunance of carpenter ants. I
have used mathathion and other highly toxic insect sprays that work
temporarily but do not fix the problem. Mathathion et. al. are
expensive for a "temporary fix" and I really want to use something that
does not harm animals or the many earth worms I finally encouraged to
live in my lawn and garden.

I am looking for some type of ant control that the scouts will take
back to the nest so they will all die. (I realize this will not be a
quick fix, but over time I think I will reduce the ant population in my
yard.) I have read that a sugar and borax slurry works, or boric acid
(a toxin, so I really don't
want to use this) and sugar, cornmeal so they will explode. Are these
effective controls? Do any of you have any suggestions?

In addition, my partner freaks out when she sees ONE ant. She has a
phobia about ants, so if she sees one ant in or near the house she
immediately gets her industrial sized backpack sprayer and sprays
everything with an undiluted solution of malathion. My poor
earthworms! So I also need a something that will kill the ants she
sees without toxicity.

Any suggestions, receipies etc would be appreciated.

[whitefootedant]

Before answering, please read info on toxicities at this URL so that we
might have a better understanding:
http://shalompest.homestead.com/ToxicitiescommonInsecticides.html
then we can talk about your ants....
let me know...
John
whitefo...@gmail.com