Help me with a unique problem

[BobnBev]

While loading the dishwasher last night, I noticed approximately
10 tiny, tiny ants inside. I did a load figuring the hot water would
kill them......NOPE......Opened it up this morning and saw one crawling
around...just one.

Any idea where they are coming from? Solutions? Maybe a cup of clorox
and run it through an empty short cycle? I'm baffled. HELP!!

[CtButterfly]

If they are what we had Dean's called them Ghost Ants, they like wet areas. I called Dean's this past Wed. they came out on Thursday and sprayed and put traps out.
This was in our kitchen island area. About a year ago we had them in our master bath
Dean's came out and treated the area. We never had the problem in a earlier home we had . . . good luck.

[graciegirl]

If they are what we had Dean's called them Ghost Ants, they like wet areas. I called Dean's this past Wed. they came out on Thursday and sprayed and put traps out.
This was in our kitchen island area. About a year ago we had them in our master bath
Dean's came out and treated the area. We never had the problem in a earlier home we had . . . good luck.

I don't know what they're called. In Ohio we call a similar type pithanth. But I am sure your running the dishwasher killed the original ones.

We would get them in our baths in Hadley. In fact when we were snowbirds we would always have to call Deans on our arrival because these teeny tiny ants would be on the welcoming committee. Deans would put down some very effiicent ant traps and spray and they were gone until next year.

[CFrance]

I don't know what they're called. In Ohio we call a similar type pithanth. But I am sure your running the dishwasher killed the original ones.

We would get them in our baths in Hadley. In fact when we were snowbirds we would always have to call Deans on our arrival because these teeny tiny ants would be on the welcoming committee. Deans would put down some very effiicent ant traps and spray and they were gone until next year.

Pithanths? Are you lisping again, Gracie?

[buggyone]

While loading the dishwasher last night, I noticed approximately
10 tiny, tiny ants inside. I did a load figuring the hot water would
kill them......NOPE......Opened it up this morning and saw one crawling
around...just one.

Any idea where they are coming from? Solutions? Maybe a cup of clorox
and run it through an empty short cycle? I'm baffled. HELP!!

The only guess I could come up with as far as where the ants are coming from is from a tiny crack inside your dishwasher. Possibly the ants (who like damp places) are living outside the dishwasher where a tiny leak through a crack keeps their living space damp - and some are crawling into the dishwasher.

Maybe the thing to do - although it would take some effort - would be to pull the dishwasher out from under the counter and see if there are ants living in back of it. If so, you could eliminate the whole colony.

This would be more difficult that just eliminating the ants you see but in the long run might save a major rotting or mold repair bill IF there is a leak in the dishwasher.

[Bobcuse]

I have experienced ghost ants in both of my Villages homes at one time or another. I know this sounds goofy but I went to a seminar in Ocala about 10 years ago about pest control in Florida and the lecturer said NOT to kill any ghost ants you see because every night they return to their nest and count the soldiers. If any are missing, they do not use that route into your home any longer but find an alternate route to the food source in your home. I laughed until my first encounter with the tiny buggers when I was grossed out finding them on my kitchen counter. I killed a bunch and then observed carefully the movement and could actually see a tiny line of them leading down the wall , across the floor, up the wall to a window, and through a pinhole in the window calk. I set some traps and didn't see them for a few days, but they returned about 3 days later. This time I observed their path coming from a completely different direction through the dining room, under an area rug, to the same counter, up the wall, and onto the counter. I placed liquid bait traps at the entrance point and along the path. They were gone within 36 hours never again to return. I had a similar experience in this home where they were found in my spice cabinet. Same strategy worked...no problem since. Terro Liquid Traps work great...keep away from the pets and your problem will be solved.

[l2ridehd]

Go to Ace Hardware and buy the ant traps, remove the dishwasher kick plate and slide a couple traps under there. That will eliminate them from that location. However watch for other locations, so buy a half dozen of the traps and use two each time you see them.

[seeking truth]

Welcome to Florida, try Tero traps, and liquid bait, run the dishwasher on the hottest setting empty

[billethkid]

we had ghost ants and I can tell you any of the do it yourself applications do not work. Unless you have been on your hands and knees with a flashlight to see where they are coming from you won't get rid of them.

Where you see them is not where they are from. They get in from any crack (almost invisible ones), wall plugs, around door openings. It is not unusual to see them in one place in the house and have a trail several yards away to the opening to their nest. And until the queen(s) are killed they are not eliminated. You will be very surprised how far they travel from where they come in the house to where you actually see them!!!!

I finally had the folks who do our monthly bug prevention come in. I showed them the "trails" I followed. They then proceded to dust/bait every plug anywhere near water any where in the house/garage. They treated every door opening.

After the treatment we have never seen another. He did identify them as ghost ants.

btk

[NotGolfer]

We also had some ants (varying sizes from tiny to larger) in our spare bedroom, mind you. We sprayed/then vaccumed and haven't seen any since. It's gross when you first discover them. I was also told that little bugs (probably these) LOVE damp areas so keep checking in your bathrooms just to make sure (and maybe under the kitchen sink). Not sure if they're considered Ghost Ants though. The ones in the bedroom definately were ants.

[Hoosierb4]

Terro got rid of them for us. No need to hire the pros. Just put one of the bait traps wherever you notice them. They'll be gone in a couple of days.