I just thought that everyone might be interested in a conversation I had
with a vet at one of the major insecticide companies.
 
Late one evening (I think it was a Sunday - isn't that when every pet crisis
happens) our then new puppy, Casey, ate one of those plastic poison ant-bait
holders.  Of course we panicked and started shoving salt and hydrogen
peroxide down his throat to make him vomit, then we noticed the 800 number
listed on the package and called.  They forwarded the call to their vet, he
said that the stuff was non-toxic to mammals.  The only thing we needed to
worry about was the plastic perforating his intestines.
 
The impression that I got was that all the warnings were just there as a
CYA, the stuff really isn't harmful if you don't have an endoskeleton.
Although he had to add "however, we don't recommend eating it." ;)
 
I can't remember the manufacturer offhand.  I think it was the one in the
metallic gold box (Combat, maybe?).  They were black traps, not the white
ones that are also popular.
 
Given that I can't remember who the maker was, I was panicked and only
really registered the fact that Casey was going to be OK, and it was 2 years
ago, I'm certainly not going to recommend everyone go out and buy the poison
ant-bait.  However, I wouldn't rule out the chemical poisons on the market.
They may be safer than the organic methods both for our furries and for the
environment.  One of the things us organic gardener types try to do is only
kill what we are trying to kill.  (Don't sacrifice the pollinating bees and
earthworms for an aphid problem...) So, if I want to get rid of the ants I
don't want to kill the beneficial spiders which I would rather catch and put
outside to eat the mosquitoes.  Ant bait does a pretty good job of only
killing what I want to kill and they are convenient to just keep in the back
of a cabinet - out of ferrets' and dogs' reach.  (Obviously I'm don't
strictly adhere to "organic", but I try to be as conscious of the big
picture as possible.  If a chemical is friendlier than an organic, I'll use
it.) Give the 800 number on the package a call if you have any question.
My experience was very positive and helpful.
 
Many of the new insect poisons act specifically on insects, where a mammal
wouldn't be harmed.  A simple organic example of this, try spraying ants
with soapy water sometime.
 
BTW, I do use Borax.  It's great for ants and fleas.  I'll only use it for
an infestation of ants, though, as the liquid is messy and awkward to use.
The bait traps are better for full-time use.  I do plan on trying the
borax/powdered sugar mix someone mentioned here, though.  Sounds like a
much better option.
 
Disclaimer: Of course some insect poison is HIGHLY toxic to mammals (i.e.
slug bait, which sadly even tastes good to many mammals).  Never, ever use
any poison without carefully reading the label first!
 
- Nancy
 
-----
Nancy Stephens
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[Posted in FML issue 2306]