The Ants Go Marching… · 3 June 2023
Ants can be a nuisance, but even so, you have to admire them. They just keep marching along.
We do not have an ant problem, but we do get them in the house every spring. They come in and try to take over the place, but I just keep squashing them. Ant. Squash. Ant. Squash. A bunch of ants. Squash, squash… Squash. Sorry about that. I had to take time to squash another ant.
The thing about ants is that they are great. As long as they stay outside. Out there, I leave them alone. But when they get in the house, they are fair game. Squash.
When ants get in the house, they seem to like to go along the baseboards. They come in the doorway like it is an open house. Then, they scurry along the baseboards, seemingly out of sight. But I see them. I see movement, then I pounce. Squash. I would love to have a way to just keep them outside all the time, but alas, I do not want to use any poisons or services that use poisons. So I just keep squashing them and trying to get rid of their paths.
That is right. I try to get rid of their paths. Which just means that I try to change the scent so that their paths are obliterated and they do not come marching in to find their food or water. Which just might mean scenting the house a bit. Apparently, vinegar works. But so does mint. Or so I am told.
I have tried vinegar as an ant remedy a time or two, but it is not the nicest thing to smell. But apparently, the smell of mint is an ant deterrent. (Or should that be deter-ANT?) I tried it this time. I rubbed some mint oil on the floors near the baseboards of the house. Especially, by the doors. I am not sure if it will work or not, but the house smells nice. Minty fresh. Not a bad side effect.
The reason I am not sure if the mint worked or not is because I have seen a few ants around the house the day after I tried the remedy. I am hoping that they are just stragglers or those who got lost because their trail got moved or deleted or obliterated or made so unappealing that they are just wandering around aimlessly. Can you imagine that? Ants wandering around aimlessly. That would be something. After all, ants have their mission and they go to it with single-minded determination.
I suppose that is why I admire ants. That single-mindedness. That determination to get the job done. That iron will.
Which is why I admire ants. Even if they are a nuisance. They just keep marching along.
© 2023 Michael T. Miyoshi
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