kick-ass-bob
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Fri Aug-26-05 08:38 AM
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Why are ants now invading my mailbox? |
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I opened it, and the entire inside was black with ants - and then I saw the white stuff too - great - baby ants.
Why the hell are they in my mailbox?
And don't say, "at least they are not in your house," because they are there as well. :grr:
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Misunderestimator
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Fri Aug-26-05 08:38 AM
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kick-ass-bob
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Fri Aug-26-05 08:43 AM
Response to Reply #1 |
6. true. but at least with wasps, I can spray the nest and they don't |
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come back.
We sprayed the ants, and the next day they were there again! :wtf:
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Midlodemocrat
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Fri Aug-26-05 08:40 AM
Response to Original message |
2. It is because you are so sugary sweet. |
kick-ass-bob
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Fri Aug-26-05 08:44 AM
Response to Reply #2 |
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you made me spit some soy nuts out! :spray:
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underpants
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Fri Aug-26-05 08:40 AM
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3. They are trying desperately trying to get out of North Carolina |
Midlodemocrat
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Fri Aug-26-05 08:41 AM
Response to Reply #3 |
5. Yeah, and head to Virginia? No, I didn't think so. |
kick-ass-bob
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Fri Aug-26-05 08:44 AM
Response to Reply #3 |
8. I was actually trying to mail them to you. |
underpants
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Fri Aug-26-05 08:41 AM
Response to Original message |
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this could make a lot of difference in the answer.
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Shell Beau
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Fri Aug-26-05 08:48 AM
Response to Original message |
9. That happened to me last year. |
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I was worried that the mail man wouldn't deliver the mail b/c there was so many. My husband said they were termites, but I think they were wood ants that don't bite or anything. My husband sprayed down the mailbox with something and they were gone just as mysteriously as they appeared.
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kick-ass-bob
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Fri Aug-26-05 08:50 AM
Response to Reply #9 |
10. we sprayed it with the ant trail stuff |
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that worked so well other places around the house (it lasts about a month - so no ant trails) and the next day they were back.
These were definitely ants. Little fuckers started crawling on me when I got yesterdays mail out.
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Shell Beau
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Fri Aug-26-05 08:52 AM
Response to Reply #10 |
11. I think mine were definitely ants too. |
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I don't know what my husband used to spray on them though. It worked and they never came back. It was thousands of them, too. Is your mail still being delivered?
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kick-ass-bob
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Fri Aug-26-05 08:55 AM
Response to Reply #11 |
12. The first day we found them, we left a note to deliver it to the door. |
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Yesterday, it wasn't as bad (only hundreds) - but they were coming back - it wasn't the survivors.
The first day was thousands also. The whole inside of the standard sized mailbox was black.
We'll see what today brings.
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Shell Beau
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Fri Aug-26-05 09:00 AM
Response to Reply #12 |
14. They may be carpenter ants. I think that is what mine were. |
matcom
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Fri Aug-26-05 09:00 AM
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13. could it be the melted Snickers Bar you left in there for a week? |
kick-ass-bob
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Fri Aug-26-05 09:11 AM
Response to Reply #13 |
16. why would I let a Snickers melt? |
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:9
That makes no sense to me at all....
:9
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WildClarySage
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Fri Aug-26-05 09:01 AM
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15. Did someone mail you a picnic? |
kick-ass-bob
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Fri Aug-26-05 09:13 AM
Response to Reply #15 |
17. Yeah, but what does that have to do with this? |
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Edited on Fri Aug-26-05 09:14 AM by kick-ass-bob
;)
:hi:
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WildClarySage
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Fri Aug-26-05 09:25 AM
Response to Reply #17 |
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Uncles, however, often prefer a more formal sit-down dining experience.
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BikeWriter
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Fri Aug-26-05 09:20 AM
Response to Original message |
18. Since they moved their young there... |
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they were trying to protect them from something. They may have felt a hard rain was coming. Most any bug spray will run them off.
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CornField
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Fri Aug-26-05 09:26 AM
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20. How wet is the ground? |
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Maybe there is a gully-washer in your future. Ants are pretty intuitive about such things and will hunt out spaces they think can protect the colony from such a disaster.
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kick-ass-bob
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Fri Aug-26-05 09:28 AM
Response to Reply #20 |
21. it's not that wet, but you know what - I did pull up a whole bunch |
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Edited on Fri Aug-26-05 09:29 AM by kick-ass-bob
of weeds from around that area. I didn't see any ant colonies, but maybe I disturbed them enough to send them seeking new shelter.
I swear, you try to clean up the yard, and all it does is cause more problems.
:eyes:
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NV Whino
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Fri Aug-26-05 09:28 AM
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and husky looking fellows, they are probably carpenter ants. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Call an exterminator. Nasty little buggers and this seems to be the year of the carpenter ant.
(Piles of sawdust are the clue.)
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kick-ass-bob
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Fri Aug-26-05 09:30 AM
Response to Reply #22 |
23. actually they are tiny ants. |
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I could fit about 10 of them on my pinky fingernail.
Carpenters aren't that small, are they?
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Shell Beau
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Fri Aug-26-05 09:34 AM
Response to Reply #23 |
24. They can be. Especially if they are the young. |
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Like Bikewriter said, they may have been moved and your mailbox provided them shelter. Mine were tiny too!
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NV Whino
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Fri Aug-26-05 11:53 AM
Response to Reply #23 |
26. You are seeing the young ones from the nest |
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The full-sized ants are what I call the ants' ant. Handsome critters, but very destructive.
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woo me with science
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Fri Aug-26-05 10:20 AM
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Whoa_Nelly
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Fri Aug-26-05 12:32 PM
Response to Original message |
27. Maybe you could bug bomb your box |
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(:rofl: this subject line alone places my mind in the gutter with possible responses :rofl:)
But, seriously...could you possibly tarp your mailbox in plastic and set off a bug bomb? Or at least spray heavily under the tarp. then, wait about 4-6 hours and use a pressure washer to clean off the insecticide residue, wash with soapy water to make sure it's clean, and rinse again. Afterward, place ant stakes around base of mailbox
Dunno if this would work as have never had a problem such as yours. At the very least, hope the critters move on and away from your residence.
Good luck!
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