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What's the best ant killer for tiny little black ants?

My friend has a ton of tiny little black ants and I can't identify them. They may be rover ants, but I'm not sure. I can't find out what they're attracted to and I can't find their home. There's just a huge trail of them across the patio- one end disappears on one side of the house and the other goes into a crack. I've put out Amdro, but the ants ignore it. 

Posted - September 1, 2017
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Responses


  • 6477
    I absolutely adore ants.. they are my favourite creatures.. I am beyond fascinated by wood ants here.. I love the way they build huge homes among pine needles. My son once had pet ants.. I loved them to bits and fed them jam.  I used to watch ant cams as well :P

    I suppose my thinking is.. it much depends on whether the species of ant are in any way damaging to property.. Here none of our ants do any damage to property at all.. If the species does no harm - I'd leave them alone.. 

    There are insect ID forums online.. perhaps take a pic of them and post it there to get info on the species?
      September 1, 2017 12:30 PM MDT
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  • 7939
    I've been told the ants bite, which is a problem with kids and pets who hang out on the patio or even want to use the front door...
      September 1, 2017 2:30 PM MDT
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  • 6477
    We have thousands and thousands of ants.. they can bite .. but mostly don't - depends on species again. We have several common types and one of them, the red ant does bite and it's painful.. but it's rarely if ever dangerous and as kids we often got bitten.. part of growing up.  I've obviously no idea about American species.. but generally speaking little black ants aren't going to bite much if at all.  I think, what I am saying too is that we seem to have become more and more worried about things that have been going on for generations harnlessly.. bug phobic perhaps and mostly these things do no harm.. It is definitely yours and your friends decision but perhaps consider leaving them alone if they do no harm.. seems a bit unnecessary to nuke them if they do no harm..
      September 1, 2017 3:17 PM MDT
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  • A friend told me this about a month ago, so I haven't tried it yet to know if it works, but ....

    "Hominy Grits" (uncooked) .... they carry it back to their nest, eat it and explode.
    Don't know if it's suppose to work on all kinds of ants or not, but at least it isn't a poison
    that you have to worry about someone getting into ... like children.
      September 1, 2017 12:43 PM MDT
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  • 7939
    Interesting. Thanks!

      September 1, 2017 2:30 PM MDT
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  • 591
      September 1, 2017 12:46 PM MDT
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  • 7939
    It's illegal to keep anteaters here. I've checked. lol
      September 1, 2017 2:32 PM MDT
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  • 591
    Do you know on what grounds it is illegal?
      September 1, 2017 2:38 PM MDT
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  • 44619
    I have an odd solution. I had ants in my apartment coming through a crack in the bathroom baseboard. To keep the from spreading I just fed them a bit of syrup every few days. They were well fed and didn't have to go on hunting trips. Try feeding them on their travel line. At least you will know where they are coming from...inside or out.
      September 1, 2017 1:32 PM MDT
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  • 7939
    That's a very "you" thing to do. lol  It's not my house, so I won't be there enough to keep my new "pets" fed. 
      September 1, 2017 2:34 PM MDT
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  • 44619
    I can be clever

      September 1, 2017 5:33 PM MDT
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  • 6477
    I absolutely love your solution :) Working in harmony with nature and even encouraging it :) We, and especially kids can learn so much from watching and being in touch with wildlife. 
      September 1, 2017 3:19 PM MDT
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  • 6124
    I'm not as kind as others on here are.  I put out Terro liquid ant bait.  They take it back to their nest.  It works like a charm. 
      September 1, 2017 4:37 PM MDT
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  • 2960
    Yeah. Those usually work good.
      September 1, 2017 5:34 PM MDT
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  • 2960
    Millennial's tears.
      September 1, 2017 5:35 PM MDT
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  • 34284

    Best thing out there.  I hate ants. 
      September 5, 2017 5:35 AM MDT
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