| Method | Initial Cost | Annual Maintenance | Effectiveness | Time Investment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIY Natural | $30-50 | $100-150 | 75-85% | 2-3 hours/month |
| DIY Chemical | $50-100 | $200-300 | 80-90% | 1-2 hours/month |
| Professional Service | $200-500 | $400-800 | 95-99% | 30 minutes/quarter |
| Ant-Free Living Guide | $37 | $50-75 | 90-95% | 1 hour/month |
lukriss
| Season | Critical Tasks | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Seal winter damage, trim vegetation | Blocks new colony establishment |
| Summer | Increase baiting, fix moisture issues | Manages peak populations |
| Fall | Clear gutters, caulk gaps | Prevents overwintering indoors |
| Winter | Indoor deep clean, pantry organization | Eliminates food sources |
| Target Ants | Bait Recipe | Placement | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar ants | 1 tbsp borax + 3 tbsp honey + warm water | Cotton balls near trails | 3-7 days |
| Grease ants | 1 tsp borax + 2 tbsp peanut butter | Bottle caps along walls | 5-10 days |
| Carpenter ants | 1 tbsp borax + 3 tbsp jam + 1 tbsp bacon grease | Near wood damage | 7-14 days |
| Mixed species | Commercial gel bait | Every 12 inches on trails | 3-21 days |
lukriss
/ PRIORITY_SEALING_CHECKLIST.MD
Last active
October 5, 2025 05:22
PRIORITY_SEALING_CHECKLIST.MD
| Location | Material Needed | Application Tip | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Window frames | Acrylic caulk | Apply in 45°F-90°F weather | 89% effective |
| Door bottoms | Rubber sweep | Leave 1/8" floor clearance | 92% effective |
| Pipe penetrations | Expanding foam | Fill 50% of gap depth | 87% effective |
| Foundation cracks | Concrete sealant | Clean debris first | 94% effective |
| Electrical outlets | Foam gaskets | Install behind face plates | 76% effective |
lukriss
/ COMMON_HOSEHOLD_ANTS.MD
Created
October 5, 2025 05:08
| Ant Species | Size | Preferred Food | Peak Season | Colony Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odorous House Ants | 1/8 inch | Sweets, honeydew | March-October | 100-10,000 |
| Carpenter Ants | 1/4-1/2 inch | Proteins, sweets | May-September | 3,000-50,000 |
| Pavement Ants | 1/8 inch | Grease, seeds | April-October | 3,000-4,000 |
| Pharaoh Ants | 1/16 inch | Everything | Year-round | 300,000+ |
| Argentine Ants | 1/8 inch | Sweets, oils | March-November | Millions |