Ants

[jmaneyapanda]

That is incredible that you keep toucans! I don't think I have seen someone keep those before (except for a pet store in florida)

They, not unlike aquariums, just have specific needs, that when met, are no harder than other birds. Theyre messy. I mean REALLY MESSY. Have specific dietary needs, including a lot of fruits, and low iron foods. And need space. The same can be said of the majority of aquariums we see here. Just need specific care to be successful.

 

[Nordy]

All I got to say, your bird is amazing , I appreciate you sharing that Video! I was a Ranger Rick kid growing up, Wild America before bed on tv, and my first Audubon book was N. America birds. I love trying to attract birds. Waxwings are my favorite, we share a common interest in eating berries.

 

[Nordy]

@jmaneyapanda , I share a similar view that if you look at where a species is from and replicate habitat and needs for survival, it can work with your diligence to come through for them. I did a lot of orchid growing way back when, so I looked at the whole picture as well as I could of climate for water and humidity, PAR, Temp, and if not epiphytic, a suitable medium that is characteristic to there natural environment. After seeing your Video, I’ll have a Molluccan on one shoulder, a Toucan on the other. Do you free flight your birds?

 

[jmaneyapanda]

@jmaneyapanda , I share a similar view that if you look at where a species is from and replicate habitat and needs for survival, it can work with your diligence to come through for them. I did a lot of orchid growing way back when, so I looked at the whole picture as well as I could of climate for water and humidity, PAR, Temp, and if not epiphytic, a suitable medium that is characteristic to there natural environment. After seeing your Video, I’ll have a Molluccan on one shoulder, a Toucan on the other. Do you free flight your birds?

I do not. I live in a wooded area and theres way too many hawks and owls and other predators. The toucan and parrots go outside in the summer to big aviaries, so they fly in their and get sunlight, sound and sight enrichment, etc. And suddenly, ANTS!! LOL. In the winter, they come inside, and I'll rotate them in the house and in the bird room. Every other day they get free flight of the hosue in the winter. Unfortunately, I cant let the toucan out with the parrots. Hes a bit of a turd and will try to kill them.

 

[KrisReef]

I hear these are effective natural predators so you can avoid using toxic chemicals

They seem to be out of stock at the moment.

https://undergroundreptiles.com/product/tamandua-anteater/

 

[UncommonSense]

The invasive, tough to deal with ones are the odoriferous ants

These sound like Argentinean ants… if so, it’s scary that they’re already in Washington!

The first documented sighting around the Monterey Bay Area (central California) was 2021, I started dealing with them in 2022…

I’ve had my best results following what trails I can back to the hive and digging it out, or simply caulking seams where they find their way into the home when the hive is unidentifiable!

 

[Nordy]

I hear these are effective natural predators so you can avoid using toxic chemicals

They seem to be out of stock at the moment.

https://undergroundreptiles.com/product/tamandua-anteater/

Put me on the list when they’re back in stock. I’m sure my 8 year old will find one rather cute and cuddly. I should venture out in the hills and find a horned toad.

 

[Nordy]

Alpine WSG is the proper treatment outdoors and/or indoors. The treatment is safe if applied locally as needed and allowed to dry.

If you are concerned about transfer to the ATO from ants crawling in, then I would put a lid on the ATO or surround it with glue strips until the colonies have been eradicated.

I’m gonna do as you recommend, this is war in mi casa!

 

[Nordy]

Vinegar and cayenne may temporarily disrupt ant trails, but they will not eliminate an odoriferous-house-ant colony. Focus on moisture control, sealing entry points, wiping trails with soapy water, and keeping ATO reservoirs tightly covered.extension.
Avoid placing any bait, powder, or liquid near the tank, reservoir, or electrical outlets. If activity continues, use enclosed sweet ant-bait stations only in dry, inaccessible areas away from the aquarium.

Appreciate the sound advice from you guys and also the fun stuff added. I’ll give an update to my effort to take on these little buggers! But the BashSea ATO’s I use will be taped soon, and I’ll go through the thread again using the methods and great tips. Argentinian Ants, geez, can’t they stay in the terroir of Malbec Appalachians?

 

[Aqua Ultraviolet]

Appreciate the sound advice from you guys and also the fun stuff added. I’ll give an update to my effort to take on these little buggers! But the BashSea ATO’s I use will be taped soon, and I’ll go through the thread again using the methods and great tips. Argentinian Ants, geez, can’t they stay in the terroir of Malbec Appalachians?

Good luck with the ant battle! Sealing the ATOs is a smart precaution, especially while you work on eliminating the trails and entry points. Hopefully, with consistent treatment and moisture control, you can get those little invaders under control soon.

 

[bristleworm]

I understand what you are asking. Last year I had a problem with Japanese Beetles getting in my sump constantly. We were still rebuilding our house, couldn’t keep them out. Those things are toxic by themselves, It scared me pulling them out every day. I have used Borax and sugar together, but borax is also a toxin. But maybe you could bait them far from the tank.

I used the pheromone traps this summer from amazon. They work!
The traps have a strong odor, not unpleasant, but a kind of weird sweet smell. But my point is you cant use them indoors

 

[Nordy]

Got some baits on Amazon this weekend. Went with Alpine WSG, Carpenter Ant granules, a spray that is more house friendly with peppermint oil, for pheromone disruption, and also sticky traps, but those will be more for spiders looking to make there way in as we approach Fall. In addition, I found a masking tape to seal off any openings in the ATO’s I have, and it says it comes off clean without any leftover stickiness when ready to remove.
The Alpine WSG will be applied everywhere, and the carpenter ant bait granules I’ll try get beneath a loosely structured rock wall that I can pick apart and restock. We have 3 dogs, and they are well, dogs that find a way to get in trouble. Going to get a bottle of activated charcoal just in case they get too adventurous. They do a great job destroying my backyard! Underneath this little tub, there’re are a gazillion of them and I have noticed more entry points in corners were the grout and wall seams have deteriorated. I hope the pheromone spray is useful and I’ll be using that on trails, the exit from the bathroom, and in the hallway before my room, where I have got the tanks. These little buggers love outlets and they enjoy the not so clean area under the tank stand. It’s finally time I get the upper hand, and in April I’ll reapply leftover treatments for those six legged nuisances that are actively seeking moisture and food in our house.

 

[Fish Fan]

Got some baits on Amazon this weekend. Went with Alpine WSG, Carpenter Ant granules, a spray that is more house friendly with peppermint oil, for pheromone disruption, and also sticky traps, but those will be more for spiders looking to make there way in as we approach Fall. In addition, I found a masking tape to seal off any openings in the ATO’s I have, and it says it comes off clean without any leftover stickiness when ready to remove.
The Alpine WSG will be applied everywhere, and the carpenter ant bait granules I’ll try get beneath a loosely structured rock wall that I can pick apart and restock. We have 3 dogs, and they are well, dogs that find a way to get in trouble. Going to get a bottle of activated charcoal just in case they get too adventurous. They do a great job destroying my backyard! Underneath this little tub, there’re are a gazillion of them and I have noticed more entry points in corners were the grout and wall seams have deteriorated. I hope the pheromone spray is useful and I’ll be using that on trails, the exit from the bathroom, and in the hallway before my room, where I have got the tanks. These little buggers love outlets and they enjoy the not so clean area under the tank stand. It’s finally time I get the upper hand, and in April I’ll reapply leftover treatments for those six legged nuisances that are actively seeking moisture and food in our house.

Seriously, consider a homemade bait made with borax (found by laundry detergent), sugar and water. It's easy, very effective, and safe if you keep your dogs from eating the containers holding the bait. The ants take the bait back to their nest where it kills off the entire colony. It takes a day or two and all your ants will be gone.

Here's a few random examples of how this works:

 

[Mickle]

You could line your ATO with fluon, maybe overkill but would stop insects from climbing in

 

[Nordy]

Seriously, consider a homemade bait made with borax (found by laundry detergent), sugar and water. It's easy, very effective, and safe if you keep your dogs from eating the containers holding the bait. The ants take the bait back to their nest where it kills off the entire colony. It takes a day or two and all your ants will be gone.

Here's a few random examples of how this works:

I’m one board with you here. Simple with sugar, borax, and water. My little odoriferous ants would be attracted to a sugary liquid, and it’s great the borax is slower acting giving time for the ant to give the bait to the queen. This method will be employed before my Amazon order arrives, and i can see for myself the effectiveness to my current situation.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Good-morning,
My house was built in the ‘70’s, and there are four types of ants I’ve seen throughout the property. The invasive, tough to deal with ones are the odoriferous ants. I won’t call a pest control specialist to exterminate. In the past, I’ve used gel bait traps, and they worked for a while, however, after reading a few tips online, I think they are resistant to those types of baits, seeking other food sources, and more than likely split into several new colonies, and they like moisture. I’m going to go to war with the little nuisances, and my plan of attack will be vinegar and cayenne pepper. I’ve sealed a few noticeable entry points, but they love my basement, bathroom, and tank room. They also love my electrical outlets. Taken measures of cleanliness and minimal food sources, less water left behind after showers and sink use, but anywhere there is water, these guys are prevailing. My concern with the use of poisons is; I see these guys in my ATO reservoirs, so I’m cautious in use with baits. Have any of you dealt with these pests and had success eradicating them naturally without chemicals and toxins? I think an impenetrable house with zero entry points is key, but not attainable here. I did see a mosquito eater land on one once, maybe that is a natural predator? If those are in the house, I’ll catch em, clip there wings and feed them to my daughter’s pet Western Fence Lizard.

I can’t answer your question - but I have my bonsai collection next to my office tank. Unbeknownst to me, some species of leaf harvesting ant set up shop in the space between the tank rim and lid. I sent out an eDNA test and found out about the issue when the results showed a bunch of terrestrial plant DNA (grin). So - on some level, contamination is possible.