50 Handy Tricks

Step 9 Water Dish Ant Barrier

Ant problems?
Honey jar covered with ants?
Ants can't swim.
Put the honey jar in a dish with water in it. Problem solved.
To keep ants or other insects from climbing tables, beds, or other furniture, put the legs in a dish, can, or or bucket with water in it. If the water doesn't stop your bugs use bleach or other stuff bugs don't like. You'll also want to pull your bed/table away from the wall and keep the bedspread/tablecloth from touching walls and floor.

Comments

[vitruvian8807]

What about rats? That won't work.

[momo1]

why would you want to ripen rats slowly? I'm not sure I undersatnd

[EnigmaMax]

what do you mean 'rats'?

[vitruvian8807]

Hmm, is this under the Water Dish And Barrier step?. I meant, a small bowl won't keep rats off your table. You know, rats, rodents, mice, ratas, vermin, whatever you want to call them. How do you kill them without the sticky, nasty,bloody traps and without the smell of them dying due to poisoning.

[kimithy]

I wanted to link you to a "how to get rid of rats the humane way" instructable, but didn't see one! So, I think I may make one. The quick answer: keep food in rat-proof containers, do frequent inspections around your house (inside & out) for entry holes, check to make sure there are no plumbing leaks (rats often are attracted to a house b/c of water, not food), keep tree limbs near your roof trimmed back, and when prevention fails, use the most humane trap possible (no poison!).

[knex_mepalm]

Pull out your shotgun from the garage or handgun, aim and fire.

[EnigmaMax]

stick an electric rod in the water or something. BZZZZZT!

[cynder]

In olden days, people used paraffin instead of water. Of course, this had its disadvantages, especially for smokers.

[DiscoBob]

Stagnet water is where mosquitos breed. Be sure to check and change the water often. I hate ants, nice trick.

[_soapy_]

Add a few pinches of salt, and nothing will breed in there. :-)