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GOT ANTS? GET S.E.R.I.O.U.S ABOUT STOPPING THEM THIS RAINY SEASON!

November 1, 2013

 

GOT ANTS?

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GET S.E.R.I.O.U.S ABOUT STOPPING THEM THIS RAINY SEASON!

Effective, less toxic ant controls safeguards your home and protects the environment

Find out what's happening in Larkspur-Corte Maderawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

Bay Area, CA—Got ants? Get S.E.R.I.O.U.S! With the rainy season approaching, you may find unwelcome visitors around the house. But you can stop them without using toxic chemicals.

 

Got Ants is working to provide local residents with environmentally sound ways to keep ants away through less toxic and more effective ant removal practices. 

 

State data show that ants are the most common household pest problem in California. Ants are also the home pest that Bay Area residents are most likely to attack with pesticide sprays. Sprays can be toxic to children and pets, and even average usage can severely pollute creeks and streams. Switching from sprays to less-toxic strategies is one of the most effective ways to protect the environment. It also makes ants less likely to re-invade, since ant-friendly conditions are eliminated. The project is a collaboration between the Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association, San Francisco Estuary Partnership and a coalition of California public agencies, educational institutions, pest professionals, and nonprofits; it is funded by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.

 

The basics for effectively managing home ant invasions without toxic sprays, are the S.E.R.I.O.U.S steps:

 

·       Spot where the ants are coming in

·       Eliminate crumbs, messes and spills

·       Rinse ants away with soap and water

·       Isolate food and water sources

·       Obstruct entryways by sealing cracks

·       Use baits if ants don’t go away after a few days

·       Stick to it to keep ants away!

 

Toxic pesticide sprays can end up in the San Francisco Bay. Laying ant baits or gel baits at the ants’ entry point in combination with closing up entry ways and keeping food away offers a long term, environmentally friendly solution to ant invaders. A combination of food and insecticide, ant baits work as ants carry the bait back to their colony and other ants.  Less toxic products are available over the counter, or they can be applied by a certified Integrated Pest Management provider. The project website lists stores where you can purchase recommended less toxic brands and contact information for IPM-certified pest control services.

 

“We want people to know that there are safe, alternative pesticides available to prevent and eliminate ants while protecting their homes and environment,” said BASMAA executive director Geoff Brosseau.  “In our effort to reduce water pollution and harmful health effects, we encourage people to visit gotantsgetserious.org and take the pledge to use less toxic ant removal practices.”

 

“We had a severe ant invasion when we brought our twin newborns home – it was a terrible time to deal with ants, but a great test case for Got Ants,” said Athena Honore, Got Ants project manager.  “We knew that we didn’t want to use any sprays. Following the Got Ants Get S.E.R.I.O.U.S steps worked beautifully. We found where the ants were coming in, caulked up the hole, put out some gel bait, and the problem was solved.”

 

More information, including a pledge to use less-toxic methods the next time ants invade, is available at the Got Ants? Get S.E.R.I.O.U.S website: www.GotAntsGetSerious.org. Find the project on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/safer.ant.control.

 

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