My way of dealing with the ant invasion

Melbourne has recently had some very hot days with temperatures well above 40C. This means that it is too hot for anyone to be outside and everyone tend to seek refuge indoors – including the ants. This seems to be an issue all over Victoria at the moment, not only is the ant-problem discussed on TV and in the news, it is also a trending topic on Facebook which is always a good indicator to what is hot at the moment. With ant sand, daily cleaning and a large spray can of insect killer, I manage to keep the ant invasion to a minimum. Here is my question though: what is the point of using ant spray? Does it kill the ant with some chemicals right then and there or is it simply just drowning the ant? In either case, it seems quicker, cheaper and less hazardous to the family’s health just to use a wet paper towel and sweep up the ants. Or just crush them with your fingers if you see a couple of ants running around by themselves.

I am fed up with ants and am therefore posting a photo of a butterfly instead.

We came home on Monday after a long weekend up in the mountain area of Victoria. It was very hot and sunny even at 7 o’clock at night. Our aquarium-ish home felt like a sauna. I opened the pantry and discovered that while we were away, two shelves had turned in to regular ant colonies. Disgusted, I pulled everything out and sprayed for king and country. I was interrupted when a neighbor came by and asked if I wanted to join her for a walk. I accepted without hesitation and left my husband with the spray can and small puddles with dead ants scattered all over the pantry shelves. Forty-five minutes later – after the walk and a nice shower – I came out to the kitchen and my husband served me dinner. Shortly after he was done cleaning and organizing the pantry. Apart from the occasional ant, the pantry has been ant-free since then – touch wood.

                    While the husband was sanitizing the pantry....