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Florida Gardening

Re-routing ants with petroleum jelly

10 years ago

Searching our forum re this solution, I came up with nothing, so here is my hint: Tiny ants like to wend their way across my chain link fence gate, right where I want to put my hand. What works to make them leave is wiping on a thin layer of Vasoline. (I keep a jar with my gardening tools to coat/protect my fingernails.)

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Comments (4)

Tom
10 years ago
In my experience that works for a while, but then the Vasoline seems to harden and future coats do the same.
Irma_StPete
Original Author
10 years ago
I guess my ants found an acceptable alternate route. Now, if only I could as easily reroute the ("sugar"?) ants who love my kitchen counter during this dry spell.
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loufloralcityz9
10 years ago
Irma,
Try sprinkling some black pepper on the sugar ants trails. The ants follow the pheromone they deposit on the ant trail and the black pepper interferes with their ability to follow the trail and they will leave.
Lou
Irma_StPete
Original Author
10 years ago
Cool, Lou - I'll try it on the next trail of ants.

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