The
ants in my apartment do not constitute a menace. They are not fleas or bedbugs
or plague bacilli. They are not a great danger to my health or welfare. But
they are annoying, especially as they are mostly winged ants starting off to
found new colonies. Last year, I tried ant-traps and they were ineffective. I
then relied mainly on orange oil as a deterrent, and this was only moderately
successful. This year’s weapon was vinegar, which was more feared by the
insects. Even so, there were a couple of days at the height of the offensive
when numerous male and female winged ants were at the screen door seeking the wide
outdoors. But the vinegar bombs I made, and the liquid I sprayed, seemed to
help.
Next
time, I plan to use the Terro ant-killer that several people have recommended.
Its liquid form, the most effective, is not sold in Canada. I have about ten
months to find a bottle before 2018’s war commences.
However,
this year’s conflict seems to have reached its end. A few days ago, I looked to
see what new battle I would have to fight with the intruders along my exterior
wall, and I saw none. Observation on the next day and the one after that had similar
results, though a few scattered ants were seen. None of their winged comrades
were present. Today, again, I have found no ants. Since the assault seems to
coincide only with colonisation season, I think that must be over, and an
armistice has been concluded.
After
weeks of seeing the ants every day, I felt like the Trojans looking out from
the top of their city’s walls at the besieging Greeks, for a decade repelling
attacks, repairing breaches and rushing reinforcements to where the latest
storm was being attempted. Then, one morning, dawn showed all the enemy gone.
The fields so lately contested are empty. I have won.
And
to demonstrate their respect, my foe has left me a giant wooden ant. How very
chivalrous of them.
Let's hope your "giant wooden ant" really is't a Trojan horse. :-D
ReplyDeleteBTW, "Secrets of the Dead" on PBS did an interesting episode on just that--whether or not there could be any historical fact to the fiction. There IS a place in western Turkey that probably was Troy, from the archaeological evidence (correlated with the fiction). They were trying to determine whether a Trojan horse would have been feasible, and if so, how it would have been built, etc. Pretty interesting!
From what I've learned the war between the Greeks and Troy was likely real, but, as you write, it's interesting about the horse's possibilities.
DeleteWare the wooden ant. Ware! Ware!
ReplyDeleteFortunately, I've read my Homer!
DeleteWell done! I've never had to battle ants but I do have some bug that shows up in my basement occasionally. It seems to prefer to hide in dark spots and doesn't seem to replicate itself very quickly. It doesn't fly either.....those are the bugs that creep me out!
ReplyDeleteGeez, your bug sounds quite sinister compared to my annoying but on the whole harmless ants.
DeleteUgh, ants! I cant stand it when they think they can live in my house.. Hope your armistice lasts!
ReplyDeleteAnt lethargy in the chilly months is one of the reasons I like autumn.
DeleteSince I'm entomophobic you have my sympathy. Just beware of Greeks, (err -ants), bearing gifts. :-)
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that Terro isn't sold in Canada in liquid form; is it available as powder? If need be, I can mail to you a bottle, if US Mail allows it. Years ago, Public Broadcasting had a huge series, about Troy, and the main announcer was a handsome British archaeologist. I watched that show with supreme fascination: history, archaeology, ancient myths, etc...plus I had a major CRUSH on that guy! I even purchased the book written to accompany the TV show. AND, having battled ants at our place too, I appreciate your analogy.
ReplyDeleteWe had invasions of ants very early in the spring this year, about 2 months earlier than usual. Then we had one of the hottest spells on record, so the ants must have known it was coming. We still have a few in the garden and the occasional flying ant but not many at all.
ReplyDelete