5.19.2012

May 19, 2012

White Dog is such a drama queen. She and I spent time researching natural ant repellents and herbal solutions to our kitchen invasion of tiny insistent hordes of ants. The store bought stuff didn't work; the bug guy said horrible poisons were our only hope (well, he didn't exactly say it like that); everyone else shook their heads and said, "if you find something safe let me know!" Meantime, the ants returned everytime we thought we had solved the problem.

We finished our research and took a visit to the herb store down the street (a nice advantage of living in a hip University area). We had our list.

Back home, I got out a clean spray bottle, arrayed our tinctures, boiled some water in the teapot and set up the lab. This was the point where White Dog, my loyal Watson, abandoned me and pushed the new recruit, Oso, into the kitchen to assist. "I AM not afraid of your mad scientist antics," WD explained, "it is just that the new boy needs the experience." OAWD, the Fearless, came in wagging, thinking that like Steve, I was in the room to prepare foodables that included tasting duties.

I mixed and tested batch one on my living ant farm; they scattered and returned but avoided the area sprayed. I tinkered with the formula and tried again. It smelled nice. This time bugs dropped over on contact but the survivors still returned after a few hours. I made an adjustment to the rosemary and voila! Success! The ants died on contact and have stayed gone. The White Dog Army does not seem to mind the smell but it does not attract them to lick the areas. Oso and I high-pawed each other and did a little victory dance.

White Dog came in and asked, "How are we doing?" "WE are great," I replied, "I am pretty sure WE have a formula that works." "Should I set up a marketing plan?" asked the ever shrewd leader of the pack. I looked at Oso and then back at her. "Oso and I have decided to give this miracle bug spray to humanity as our gift. May households across the world smell nice and be ant free because of our concoction."

So here world, is the White Dog Army's No Fail Herbal Ant Eradicator:

Makes 1 large spray bottle. Use pure herb liquid extracts.

Add to bottle:
1/2 teaspoon Wintergreen
1 teaspoon Cedarwood
1-1/2 teaspoons Rosemary
1/2 teaspoon Cloves

Fill bottle slowly with hot water. Add 2 drops liquid dish soap. Add cap and shake bottle to mix. Mist spray areas with ant problems, thresholds, window sills, etc. May you be free of ants and stress always.

15 comments:

Bailey said...

I've been so busy, I haven't had a chance to visit -- please forgive me!

I wanted to be sure to let you know to visit my bloggie today, 5-20... Teehee!

Woofs & huggies, <3

~Bailey (Yep, I'm a girl!)

How Sam Sees It said...

We are going to have to remember this - ants are a real problem here.

Sam

Random Felines said...

holy cod - we are going to have to share this with our grandma..... they have those big honking ants. Good job momma and Oso.

Brian's Home Blog said...

WOW, such a cool magical mixture!

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We will be filing this recipe if we get an ant invasion. Thanks for sharing.

Woos - Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning

bbes tribe said...

Gonna have to try that eradicator for ants. We have tried just about everything BUT M & D worry cuz we are always around. Thanks for the info.
Wags
Ernie and the rest

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Tha is god to know andI will be writing that own... But what have I missed.. I am just going back in your posts from before I went away to find out... Hugs GJ xx

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

I came back.. I went to look and oh my another special white dog.. How wonderful. I am looking forward to catching up and seeing how he goes on in the future. But.. How could they...Mum moved when her kitty was 19 years old and no question she came too. Wherever mum was she would be happy and my siter fluff was old when we moved here to dad.. Makes your blood boil, but like your mum said dont get us started. I think your new little man will be very happy.. Hugs GJ xx

Sagira said...

Good think that you figured out how to get rid of those ants. We had a few but haven't seen anymore so hopefully they are all gone now. Would rather have an ant than a roach any day though.

Kari in Alaska said...

so glad you found something safe that works

Stop on by for a visit
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com/

meowmeowmans said...

We are going to have to remember this one. Ants pretty much freak me out (bad childhood experience)!

Have a great evening, friends!

haopee said...

LOL most of the ingredients in your composition aren't found in our country.

Ants are a bad case in our house as well. They always enjoy eating the dog's food which is why I have issues with them.

24 Paws of Love said...

Thank you so much for sharing your recipe. I booked marked the page. I wonder if it repels as well. We are always looking for other answers than poison. Give White Dog a special hug from us for being so generous. :)

Suka said...

hey WDA,

Pawsome job! We are very impressed and my human is definitely going to try out your formula. Thank you for sharing! Your mom is very cool to give it as a free gift to all. :->

Who is Oso? I have not been around awhile. I will have to find out. I miss so much when my human keeps me away from blogging.

Yay to no more ants in your house!!

Suka

Kea said...

Jeanne from Random Felines sent me here, as I have large black ants (carpenter ants?) in my kitchen right now.

I'm printing out your recipe, will pick up the ingredients and give it a try. Right now I have salt sprinkled down everywhere, but I think they're coming in via the electrical face plate that my stove/oven plugs in to.

-Kim (mom to Derry and Nicki of Fuzzy Tales)