Tips help you make ants cry uncle

Last week I was in my back yard doing some "Honey Do's" and I stepped into one of the largest anthill I have every seen. I realized that I must immediately take care of the problem or they would be living with me.

For most of us ants are a real pain mostly because it seems like they get into everything. If you are faced with this same problem, try these tricks, I've found they work real well in getting rid of them.

If you find ants on the counter, wipe it down with white vinegar.

To stop them from coming into the house, or getting into the cupboards, sprinkle around some red pepper where they enter the house.

To get rid of anthills , pour about 3 or 4 gallons of boiling water down the ant hill opening. It's best to do this when they are at rest, usually at night when they are in their pajamas. Please be careful because this procedure will also kill your flowers as well.

Another way to terminate ants is to mix a combination of 50 percent borax and 50 percent confection sugar. Place this mixture in the cupboard or on a piece of wood placed near their hill. They will take this mixture back to their nest to feed their queen and the rest of the nest. It won't take long before they all are dead. Borax can normally be found in the laundry aisle at most of our local grocery stores. Note: This mixture works well on cockroaches too.

If you are allergic to any of the above products, please don't use them. Always test fabric and paints before using any chemical compounds. Please remember to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and eye protection for your eyes. If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, please call Ed at 255-2266 or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What would Ed Do?

Copy written by Ed Madan, certified executive housekeeper, Northwest Environmental Services