If you despise bugs, you may not want to read this post.
On the other hand, if you want motivation for always wiping down the counters, cleaning the dishes, and otherwise cleaning the kitchen on a regular basis, this may be the post for you.
I think I keep a pretty tidy kitchen. I wipe down the counters thoroughly at least once a day. I regularly unload the dishwasher and load it again to keep the sink empty. I try to keep it clean.
The other morning, we put our dirty breakfast dishes in the sink — the dishwasher had clean dishes in it. I went back two hours later (when Paul was happier) to empty the dishwasher, load it, and make brownies.
Ants were crawling into the sink, around the sink, on the counters, and under the kitchen counter.
I didn’t scream. But I do think my heart literally skipped a few beats. I thought I’d fall over. “Oh, my! Oh, my!” was all I could say. No one except Paul was there to hear me.
I killed the ants with ant poison.
In case you wanted to know, it took almost 5 hours (over the course of that morning, that afternoon, and the next morning) to wash all the silverware and utensils in the drawers, wash all the pots in the one cabinet, and wipe down the entire pantry (even though the ants hadn’t made it that far).
I’m beginning to suspect that there is a nest under our house — last month they came in near the front door and the month before that they came in through the bathroom.
The good side of this horrendous problem is that now I am very motivated to wipe the kitchen table and counters immediately upon finishing eating and immediately after I get them dirty. I haven’t left dishes in the sink. I now have a clean pantry.
So there are some bonuses. But I’d rather the ants hadn’t invaded.
Rebecca,
My husband is a bug guy. Sad, but true. It’s his passion in life but thankfully not his profession! He’s lived all over the world, studied entomology in college, etc. I told him about your ant situation and he said if you can, follow the trail and find the hole they’re coming from. Then pour nail polish remover down the hole and they’ll be done for. Anyways, you can give that a try if you want!
Paige »
I found where they came in this time and I killed them at that spot, but I’m sure they’re going to find another way in….does the nail polish remover get the whole “nest” if that is what it is?
That must be so convenient: having someone around to kill bugs. I always panic when I see spiders and ants, and I’m reminded by my wonderful husband that I’m bigger than they are….I told Paul he has to learn to not be afraid of bugs because I need him to kill them off for me!
Hi Paige. It’s nice to hear from you too!
Becky,
Every spring, the ants mysteriously appear somewhere in our house: sometimes it is the kitchen, sometimes a bathroom, sometimes by the front door. I wash down whatever they seem to be on and Dad sprays that spot and all the way around the foundation outside. A couple of years ago I got miniature brown ones in the pantry and had to throw away everything from peanut butter to crackers and cereal. Who knows where they live and come from? But now you know that you don’ thave to be a slob to get them. I like the nail polish remover idea. Mom