ANTS - Pls help!

We have a converted bungalow where our kitchen/living areas are upstairs and our bedrooms are downstairs but we have these teeny tiny ants that are driving me NUTS.

At the first sign of them, I put out the RAID ant traps and was hoping it would work within a few days. It seems to have made them worse!! Then I convinced myself they were baiting the ants really well, but now I'm freaking out.

I have a 2 year old and a 5 month old plus a dog....I don't leave sweets out and we keep our bread/crackers/cookies in a copper, sealed breadbox but the dog's food dish is kept out (empty) and my breastpump parts are left out to air dry along with the baby's bottle parts (nipples, lids, etc).

And I feel like they're getting worse -- they're now in both bathrooms, and I've seen them in our younger son's bedroom. I've put the Raid traps in the kitchen cabinet (near my triple-ziploc bagged sugar and flour), near the trash, near the dog food, on the counter near the breastpump stuff, in the bathrooms, in my son's bedroom and in our hallway downstairs where the backdoor is (close to bedrooms). Seriously, I have 10 traps set around my house right now - WTH??

I can't help but think this problem started when I called Terminix to cancel our exterminator contract!!

Should I spray outside, too? I know it only takes a small hole in the foundation but I feel like I keep a tidy house...I pride myself on the fact that my son has eaten off my floor and that I'm ok with that because my floor is so freaking clean.

What can I spray outside???

OK - just read that vinegar & water might help to deter them. That's what i use to clean my floors with - what am I doing wrong???

Message edited 4/4/2010 11:41:31 PM.

Re: ANTS - Pls help!

I've heard that cinnamon, black pepper, baby powder and crushed mint leaves can all deter ants.

Re: ANTS - Pls help!

thank you!!!

Re: ANTS - Pls help!

I also keep a very clean house.Every year i get the bigger black ones about 10-20 a season and FREAK. I called my exterminator and he said if it is 10 in a minute it is a problem and they have to come in and spray. I put out the ant traps as soon as I see them , vacuum, even though there is nothing on my floors, put any type of bread or grains sweets in the fridge. I mop the floors- my floors are clean but I get nuts if I see one bug. I put out the traps, I also spray home defense in every crack and crevice I see in the room I find them in. I keep up w/ this every week - then every 2 weeks until I do not see anymore. I get the outside of my house sprayed for an exterior spray every month. The good news is that ant season is usually March thru June. I only saw 2 ants so far and I am hoping they stay far far away. I am a clean person, who keeps a clean house- but to see even 1 ant or any bug for that matter is gross !!! HTH
Hope you get rid of them fast!

Message edited 4/5/2010 11:38:40 AM.

Re: ANTS - Pls help!

get this stuff, it's called Terro. I live in FL, and we get ghost ants in the spring time.
Its a clear liquid that you put down, and they are very attracted to it.

http://www.terro.com/