Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

Why are ants now invading my mailbox?

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread		 This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » The DU Lounge Donate to DU
 
kick-ass-bob Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 08:38 AM
Original message
Why are ants now invading my mailbox?
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:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
Misunderestimator Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 08:38 AM
Response to Original message
1. Better than wasps.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
kick-ass-bob Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore 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
come back.

We sprayed the ants, and the next day they were there again! :wtf:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 08:40 AM
Response to Original message
2. It is because you are so sugary sweet.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
kick-ass-bob Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 08:44 AM
Response to Reply #2
7. *SNARF*
you made me spit some soy nuts out!
:spray:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
underpants Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 08:40 AM
Response to Original message
3. They are trying desperately trying to get out of North Carolina
Who wouldn't?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 08:41 AM
Response to Reply #3
5. Yeah, and head to Virginia? No, I didn't think so.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
kick-ass-bob Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 08:44 AM
Response to Reply #3
8. I was actually trying to mail them to you.
you bastard.

:P
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
underpants Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 08:41 AM
Response to Original message
4. Mail box or Malebox
this could make a lot of difference in the answer.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Shell Beau Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 08:48 AM
Response to Original message
9. That happened to me last year.
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.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
kick-ass-bob Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 08:50 AM
Response to Reply #9
10. we sprayed it with the ant trail stuff
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.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Shell Beau Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 08:52 AM
Response to Reply #10
11. I think mine were definitely ants too.
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?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
kick-ass-bob Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore 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.
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.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Shell Beau Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 09:00 AM
Response to Reply #12
14. They may be carpenter ants. I think that is what mine were.
http://www.paulreverevillage.com/carpenter_ants.htm

http://www.bugclinic.com/carpenterant.htm
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
matcom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 09:00 AM
Response to Original message
13. could it be the melted Snickers Bar you left in there for a week?
:shrug:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
kick-ass-bob Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 09:11 AM
Response to Reply #13
16. why would I let a Snickers melt?
:9

That makes no sense to me at all....

:9
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
WildClarySage Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 09:01 AM
Response to Original message
15. Did someone mail you a picnic?
:)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
kick-ass-bob Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 09:13 AM
Response to Reply #15
17. Yeah, but what does that have to do with this?
Edited on Fri Aug-26-05 09:14 AM by kick-ass-bob
;)

:hi:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
WildClarySage Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 09:25 AM
Response to Reply #17
19. Ants like picnics.
Uncles, however, often prefer a more formal sit-down dining experience.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
BikeWriter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 09:20 AM
Response to Original message
18. Since they moved their young there...
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.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
CornField Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 09:26 AM
Response to Original message
20. How wet is the ground?
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.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
kick-ass-bob Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore 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
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:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
NV Whino Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 09:28 AM
Response to Original message
22. If they are black
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.)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
kick-ass-bob Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 09:30 AM
Response to Reply #22
23. actually they are tiny ants.
I could fit about 10 of them on my pinky fingernail.

Carpenters aren't that small, are they?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Shell Beau Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 09:34 AM
Response to Reply #23
24. They can be. Especially if they are the young.
Like Bikewriter said, they may have been moved and your mailbox provided them shelter. Mine were tiny too!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
NV Whino Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 11:53 AM
Response to Reply #23
26. You are seeing the young ones from the nest
The full-sized ants are what I call the ants' ant. Handsome critters, but very destructive.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
woo me with science Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 10:20 AM
Response to Original message
25. free samples? nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Whoa_Nelly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-26-05 12:32 PM
Response to Original message
27. Maybe you could bug bomb your box
(: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!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Fri May 03rd 2024, 02:40 PM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » The DU Lounge Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC