Do-it-yourself ant trap in the apartment and on trees

How the trap works

A trap is one of the methods for exterminating domestic ants, which is presented in the form of a specific container. They are made from mini boxes with small holes that insects can easily get into. And inside this structure there is bait with the addition of a gradually acting insecticide.

The principle of operation of these devices is similar to the principle of operation of pellets - that is, the domino principle. The ants enter the box through the holes, take the poisonous bait and introduce all the ants into the habitat. The poison is transferred to the larvae, which, when processing food, transfer it to the queen. The death of the queen leads to the death of the entire family.

Where to set traps in the house

The ants need to create the most convenient conditions for falling into the trap. Therefore, you need to place homemade houses and jars in certain places:

• near the exit from the holes to the apartment;
• the paths they walk on;
• under kitchen furniture;
• near cracks in floors on insulated loggias;
• wall plinths bordering the garbage chute;
• around the trash can;
• hoods;
• ventilation shafts.

When scouts find food, they mark the path to it with a certain smell. The ants walk only along it, lining up in a line. It is optimal to place the trap at the beginning of this living path, where the exit from the nest is.

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Types of traps

There are plenty of ant traps that differ in poisons, shapes, shades, and more. But all of them can be divided into three groups. Thus, a distinction is made between electric cockroach traps, sticky traps and poison traps.

Electrical

These drugs appear as a strong electric field. The ant crawls inside the trap, where it is electrocuted. These impulses paralyze the insect's nervous system with immediate death.

They are so easy to use that you just need to plug them into an electrical outlet.

One of the most prominent representatives of this type is the EcoSniper, popular among buyers.

Such traps are characterized by high efficiency, but they do not lag behind in price - their cost ranges from 500 to 1000 rubles or more.

Adhesive

They are considered the most affordable in the whole world, which is explained by their affordable price - about twenty rubles.

The essence of the design is simple - the ants pass through the hole in the trap and simply get stuck, unable to get out.

You can make such traps yourself, but they are not suitable for everyone. Not every psyche is able to withstand minute after minute of death before its eyes.

Among these types, the most famous are "Tar-Gan", "Trap" and "Tunnel".

Poisonous

The principle of action is based on contact and intestinal effects. The chemicals contained in the drugs paralyze the nervous system and ultimately lead to death.

One specimen, which is taken for bait, threatens the life of the entire family.

These traps include Combat Superattack, Clean House, and Raptor.

Poisonous baits

Why are they better

If your goal is to destroy a nest of ants, and not individual individuals in the apartment, which you will have to fight constantly, then at home you can do this with the help of ant traps. Once inside, attracted by the appetizing smell, the insects become soiled in the toxic substance. But they do not die immediately, but after some time, poisoning the entire nest.

When fighting insects in an apartment on your own, at home, it is better to use these products, even if they are a little more expensive than those described above. With the help of these ant traps you will destroy the queen, and without her the anthill will die. To destroy a nest, you do not need to know where it is located.

Buy a trap

If you trust manufacturers and, instead of making an ant trap with your own hands, prefer to buy it in a store, you will be pleased with your choice, because there are many varieties of them. Even though we call them poisonous, they are not that dangerous. For a person to show signs of poisoning, he must eat 1 tsp. this product, but there is no such amount of toxic substance in the trap packaging.

1. "Combat". Popular ant trap. Its active ingredient is Hydromethylnon, which leads to infection of the entire colony. It does not work immediately, but when the worker ants manage to transfer it to their brothers, and they feed the queen and other members of the colony. This will kill all the insects.
2. "Clean house". It doesn't work as quickly, but it's odorless. A plastic container will prevent children or animals from reaching the poison.
3. "Raptor". Helps against both ants and cockroaches. They guarantee the destruction of the entire population within 6 months. Pleasant to use, because They give off the aroma of apricot and vanilla.
4. "Taracid." The active ingredient is boric acid and herbs (hemlock, larkspur), so the product is safe for people and animals. This poison kills both the ant itself and up to 50 insects in its nest.

"Combat" is one of the most effective drugs against ants

There are also traps from other companies, which you can choose at your nearest store and use at home.

If you don't want to spend money on an ant trap, make your own. You will need a matchbox or other closed container. Place poisonous bait in it and make a move for the ants. What bait should I use? Boric acid. Mix 2 tsp. spoons of minced meat with 1 tsp. this remedy. To prevent a cat or dog from eating it, hide the mixture in a box and place it where insects run. Or choose another recipe with boric acid.

Popular models

Combat Superattack

Made in Korea. The active ingredient in the composition is a patented insecticide formula - hydramethylone.

It is sold in the form of four discs that can be attached to horizontal and vertical surfaces and can be easily removed if necessary.

That is, it can be called the most demanding for those living in an apartment.

Appearance of the battle.

The most popular ant traps

The market offers all sorts of types, but we will highlight the most popular:

Combat Superattak - a Korean manufacturer assures that its device will help destroy insects in 4 - 6 weeks. Active substance Hydromethylnonone. Sold in packs of 1 piece and 4 pieces.

Raptor traps are for cockroaches and are quite effective against ants; gels and sprays are also sold.

Raid - effective against cockroaches, not used against ants. The action of the bait is based on eating it, and the impact specifically on the individual that has eaten the bait.

Dohlox is the active substance Fipronil, the concentration of which is 0.045%. Pack of 6 pcs.

GLOBOL - active ingredient D-phenothrin with a concentration of 0.1%. Copes with the task quite well.

A little boy lost in the forest was raised by ants. The boy grew up and was no different from other people. Only his butt was sour, but no one knew about it.

Raptor

Country of origin: Russia. The poisonous ingredients are two elements - fipronil and emacmectin benzoate, which cause paralysis of the nervous system. This trap kills both red ants and cockroaches.

Unlike Combat, this trap is based on contact action: the ant does not need to eat the poison, but only touch it. Before the ant enters the nest, it distributes the poison to other members of the population. This causes them to disappear from the room.

Ant Raptor

Efficiency of use

For an ant trap to work, it must be installed in the right place. If you approach this issue wisely, you can quickly destroy an ant colony.

If you do not pay enough attention to this, the insects will avoid the trap. Therefore, before installing it, you will have to observe these insects and find out in which places they visit most often, because ants are accustomed to moving in colonies along previously studied paths. If you set a trap next to these paths, they will probably pay attention to it:

• Skirting boards and joints between walls and floors. In these places you can most often find cracks and small holes, which are an excellent hiding place for insects.
• Hard-to-reach places for kitchen furniture. Dust constantly accumulates there and there are always food remains.
• Storage rooms and loggias with insulation.
• Ventilation channels and pipelines.
• Window sills.

Once installed, the ant trap should be checked at least twice a week. The effectiveness of a trap is determined by the disappearance of the bait.

Globol

Country of origin: Germany. The active ingredient in the composition is d-phenothrin, the concentration of which is 0.1%. The duration of action varies from two weeks to a month.

It is sold in the form of a box that can be placed on any surface using a special adhesive tape on the back.

It should be placed next to the ant tracks. Works well in any conditions: in an apartment, at home or in trees.

Global fight against ants and cockroaches

Traps as a way to fight ants

One of the most popular methods of getting rid of ants is traps. This method has proven itself to be the safest and at the same time the most effective. They can be either purchased in a store or made independently. Also positive qualities include the long-lasting effect of traps, ease of use (do not require special knowledge and skills) and low cost of this means of combating ants.

Types of ant traps

The most popular are three types of traps that can be found on the open market:

Adhesive ones are the simplest and cheapest. The principle of operation is that ants come to the bait and stick forever. The main disadvantage of this type of trap is that it is not possible to get the ants and the queen from the anthill. Thus, getting rid of ants will be temporary.

The most common brands of this type are:

“Trap” is the most budget-friendly option for a trap; the mass is applied in places where insects accumulate. It is effective both in the fight against ants and other insects and even small rodents.

Argus is a more expensive option, suitable for insect and rodent control, and is a set of self-adhesive strips that need to be placed in areas where pests are active.

Poisonous - means of combating delayed expiration. The powerful insecticides included in the product affect the nervous system of ants, paralyze them, which leads to rapid death. The first results can usually be seen after 2-3 days, and after two weeks the ants disappear completely. Due to the fact that insects carry poison into the anthill on their bodies, the affected area increases significantly and the colony is destroyed entirely, along with the queen.

The most popular brands of poisonous houses:

• Raptor - this trap can be seen in commercials and is considered one of the most effective. You can often find such traps in combination with special gels and sprays. Safe for pets.
• Raid - thanks to advertising, it is no less popular than Raptor. Actively fights not only ants, but also other insects in the house. The trap is designed for the victim to eat the bait.

How to use traps correctly

To achieve maximum effect from any type of trap, you should follow a few simple rules:

1. Correct choice of trap location. One correctly installed trap will be much more effective than several chaotically placed ones. As a rule, these are ant trails, corners, joints between the floor and the wall, balconies, storage rooms, ventilation, space under cabinets and refrigerators.
2. Traps should be checked periodically and updated or emptied. This will significantly increase their effectiveness.
3. Regular wet cleaning will speed up getting rid of insects, as they do not like clean rooms.
4. Do not leave leftover food in the open.

Dohlox

An agent that is produced in the Russian Federation. The causative agent of poisoning is fipronil in trace concentrations. It belongs to the class of poisons that paralyze the nerves with its intestinal and contact effects.

It is worth taking into account the fact that although this drug is fatal for insects, at the same time it does not cause any harm to warm-blooded animals and humans.

It begins to work eight hours after application, and results are visible after about five to seven days.

Dochlox packaging against cockroaches and ants

How to protect fruit trees?

Ants are excellent at loosening the soil, but they damage the bark of trees. They need to be protected. Special methods are used for this.

Adhesive and repellent belts

To prevent insects from climbing up the trunk, make a repellent belt. There are many options:

• whiten with lime;
• wrap the barrel from below with tape;
• lubricate clotheslines with Vaseline and wrap the tree;
• Apply grease to the barrel.

Tie with foil (slippery side out and sharp edges). Make a design like a skirt.

Wrap polyethylene and coat with tar. Make the belt closer to the ground.

Water ditch and tires

To limit access to the trunk, dig ditches around the perimeter and fill them with cement mixture. When the concrete has hardened, pour in water.

For the same purpose, use tires from car wheels. To do this, cut in the center so that you get 2 rings. Insert through the crown onto the circum-trunk circle upside down. Pour water.

The second option is convenient when the tree is massive and it is impossible to thread a rubber ring through the crown. In this case, the tire is cut and inserted under the tree, and the cut edges are fastened with staples, etc.

To prevent insects from moving to the trunk, the rubber is lubricated with turpentine, oil and other oil-based substances.

DIY trap

If you have a free minute, you can try to create a complex design yourself. Homemade traps are not inferior to commercial traps, because the principle of operation is the same.

There are several simple ways to get rid of insect infestations in a room:

• Having made a box. You can take an unnecessary box (for example, made from matches) as a basis and make the appropriate holes in it. And put bait inside.
• There is a jar trap option. For this you need a jar. Grease it with oil (sunflower or olive) and then wrap it in plain paper. Throw something with a pleasant smell (preferably sweet) into the trap and hang a kind of ladder - a stick so that the ants can reach the target. It ends up in a jar, but there is no way out.
• Places where ants accumulate (baseboards, cracks or holes) are sealed with double-sided tape or special tape. This method is ineffective, but it is possible to reduce the number of people.

A boric acid trap is also known. For the siphon, a regular plastic cover is used. The bottom of this lid should be coated with powdered boric acid so that there is no empty space. You can place a drop of honey or syrup in the center of the trap, which serves as bait. To get to the treat, the ant must travel a considerable distance. And because the insect is always in boric acid, without achieving its goal, it dies.

Ant traps on trees

Traps for ants that have taken a fancy to fruit trees are so-called trapping belts. They can be made from various materials: fabric, sheepskin, tape, foil, cling film, paper. The selected material is wrapped or tied around the trunk, after which a substance is applied to it, which helps kill insects and at the same time prevents them from penetrating the tree crown. Place traps at a height of 20–50 cm from the ground surface.

The most popular types of fishing belts among gardeners are:

Duct tape. Usually you purchase a ready-made tape designed for catching flies. It can be replaced with ordinary stationery tape. Glue or a viscous gel, which is applied to it with an additional layer, will help to enhance the effect of the tape. A trap with glue designed to kill mice. It does not lose viscosity for a long time. You can build a trap from cling film. It is wrapped around the trunk, tied in the center with a cloth smeared with “mouse” glue.

Sweet traps. The same cling film or tape can be covered with honey

It will attract the attention of the ants. But their paws will get stuck in it

Honey can be replaced with old jam mixed with brown or boric acid. Then the trap will be poisonous. Even if it doesn’t stop one of the ants, he will die from the poison.

Gate trap. This trap is somewhat more difficult to make with your own hands than the previous ones. To make it, you will need a strip of rubber that can be wrapped around the barrel, fastening the ends and turning the bottom of the rubber up. To prevent the rubber from unfolding, it is secured from below with tape. The resulting rubber trough is filled with vegetable oil. The ants, trying to overcome the obstacle, drown in the gutter.

Tire trap. A groove is made around the tree, a car tire cut in half is placed in it and filled with water.

Ant traps on trees allow you to protect plants from ants and aphids, which they tirelessly care for; their use helps reduce the insect population, but does not allow you to get rid of them completely, since trapping belts do not harm the queen ant.

Advantages and disadvantages of the drug

Advantages of the Anteater product:

• affordable price.
• Anteater poison against garden ants is effective against many harmful insects, such as fleas, cockroaches, mealybugs, thrips, and moths.
• the drug does not pose a danger to humans, soil and plants.

The disadvantages of the insecticide include the need for careful use near bodies of water, because the solution may be dangerous for their inhabitants

For greater efficiency, it is advisable to excavate the anthill to the level at which the larvae are stored (5–10 cm), and then pour the insecticide solution directly into the destroyed “nest,” after which the anthill should be covered with earth again. In this case, the main colony of pests will be destroyed.

Sometimes this method of action is impossible (for example, if the anthill is located right in the garden bed). In this case, you just need to spill the poisonous solution on the colony of insects. With this method of action, the complete disappearance of pests will occur within three weeks.