Originally Posted by CMChris

While looking for info on red ant bites (they're driving me mad!) I found this info on how to get rid of ants.
Boric acid is toxic to ants and many other insects as it attacks their nervous system and causes dehydration so a 50:50 mixture with icing sugar makes a bait which will be taken to the nest where it should destroy the colony. It is an ingredient in many commercial products and has been used for centuries as an insecticide, a flame retardant, an antiseptic and in food preservation, so it is relatively non-toxic to humans and their environment. The nest can be located by following the returning ants, or quite often it is found while working in the garden when a stone is turned over.

They do not like peppermint so place it where you don't want them to go, or at their nest. Peppermint extract in water can be applied to surfaces.
If an ant is squashed clean the spot well as the corpse will release pheromones which will attract others. It is best to use a vacuum cleaner to remove unwanted ants.
A circle of petroleum jelly around the entry point will halt their journey, and if bait is placed within the circle they will take it back to the nest.
Another deterrent is ground cinnamon which can be sprinkled around to keep them out.
Instant coffee placed at the entrance of a nest and repeated a few times will see them off.


Hope this helps.