The smallest ants in the world have staged a coup in my kitchen.It's embarrassing how long it's been since I discovered them and still haven't remedied the situation. I first saw them when I got back from Utah, almost 2 months ago. The thing is, they travel in small bands so they fool you into thinking that they are innocuous enough to ignore. Often you only see one or two at a time and you think, "bah, they're harmless enough." Or you flick them with your finger and they disappear into the atmosphere. Done and done. Or so you think- I went through my whole pantry looking for the allure that brought them in the first place, which is where I first noticed them and they primarily reside. (I think it's fair to say 'reside' since it's been so long. I'm fairly sure they have set up camp and are ready to set down some roots.) I didn't have any open food that I could tell, so I really don't know what brought them to me. What is amazing, is what they have been able to get themselves into. Chalk it up to their minute size, but they have performed some miraculous feats. Infuriated and disgusted as I am, I am still amazed when I find them in seemingly impossible places. There are some you wouldn't be too surprised about like the Goldfish and the cheese crackers, even though they were all closed and sealed as far as their packaging permits. But I found many drowned ones inside the syrup container. Even though I had to throw it all away, I still delighted in seeing so many casualties of their invasion. They have gotten inside the peanut butter. The lid was on, twisted on tightly- how the hell? Their very size mocks me in the irony of how much infuriation they cause me in such a tiny little form. I hate these ants. I can see their snide little faces, their satisfied little smirks- until I squish it right off their face, that is. Also, I have learned that Clorox Anywhere spray doesn't jive so well with my walls...it seems to leave discolored spots and streaks, so I have to abandon that line of defense in favor of a more traditional ant killer. I just had to document the little bastards that are making me so angry- I've stewed long enough. Time for action.
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8 comments:
Hee. I liked hearing of your squishing their satisfied smirks off their faces. I'm surprised you don't gently carry them outside! It is pretty amazing that they got inside the syrup and peanut butter containers -- thanks for giving us a size comparison in your photo.
I have used a food-safe, child and pet-safe bug spray in my kitchen before. Once I had the tiniest beetles in the world. I wiped them out.
"Ants are tiny. Ants are small. You must look close to see them at all. Ants are our friends." Just kidding.
On the bright side, that photo is way cool.
That is maddening! Right after I had Evie we had an infestation of ants, but they weren't in the pantry, they were all around the baby laundry hamper, she was a horrible spitter and breast milk is so sweet, there was a line of baby ants from the door to the hamper. So, watch your PB, the syrup, and your breasts, as it were!
Good luck with the ants!
That is infuriating! I feel your pain at having to dispose of what was once perfectly good groceries--especially when money is tight--but I like that you still take delight in the syrup having claimed so many victims.
Good luck with annihilation.
I've never seen such tiny ants or heard of such tricky infiltration. Apparently the whole world is their oyster eh (or at least your whole pantry).
Ew!
Hi, I've never commented on your blog before, but thought I'd say hello. I've met your sister Michelle at Jill's house once when I was in UT. I live in CT right now, but dream of living somewhere more affordable and Charlotte is a place where my husband could find a good job.
Anyway, I just thought I'd mention that there is this orange spray that is non-toxic and works wonders with ants. I've used it before when we had an ant problem. Worked like a charm.
oh dear...ants...they are microscopic! inside the peanut butter...that is just bad! We often have ant epidemics, but luckily this year, has not been one of those. They can be annoying!
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