Rachel writes
>My apartment is being invaded by teeny black ants; right now we have
>traps down but they make me really nervous with the ferts running around.
>Is there a way to get rid of these tiny little ants that is COMPLETELY
>safe for ferrets?  (Yes, I am a paranoid mother.)  We have both chives
>and mint growing right outside (two solutions I found in the archives)
>and the ants don't seem to care.
 
The herbs growing outside will just keep the ants away from that part of
the foundation.  It won't stop them from coming into the house elsewhere.
 
Try getting some mint oil or extract (I use the stuff from the spice
section of the grocery store), put some on a cotton ball, and wipe it
around the baseboards in your house, the bottom edge of the cage and
other places where the ants come in or hang out.  If you already have
lots of ants, it can take a little while to completely take effect, and
you will have to reapply everyone 1-3 weeks.
 
You can also purchase a mint based insect spray.  The brand name I've
used is Victor (http://www.victorpest.com/).  I've gotten it in both an
ant formulation, and a wasp spray (sprays a long jet).  I've used the ant
formula to spray around the outside foundation of the house and also had
good success with with the wasp spray.  I feel much better using this
stuff than Raid or other potentially toxic sprays.  And it smells great!
 
Good luck!
 
Linda Iroff
Oberlin OH
[Posted in FML issue 3824]