4 replies to this topic

[Ants4ever7]

Has anyone used olive oil with smaller ants before. They are a tiny colony and not very aggresive. Is baby powder-rubbing alcohol better. If so what ratio?

[ANTdrew]

Don’t use it. Olive oil is widely considered to be the least effective barrier. Use 100% talc mixed with alcohol. Baby powder is now made with corn starch or other components, not talc.

Edited by ANTdrew, September 15 2024 - 3:54 AM.

[AntsGodzilla]

Has anyone used olive oil with smaller ants before. They are a tiny colony and not very aggresive. Is baby powder-rubbing alcohol better. If so what ratio?

Fluon is also good

[mbullock42086]

Don’t use it. Olive oil is widely considered to be the least effective barrier. Use 100% talc mixed with alcohol. Baby powder is now made for corn starch or other components, not talc.

yep, talcum powder was causing skin tags.  i got one too had an itchy rash on my thigh and used talc to sooth it, not knowing it would give me a skin tag.

  

[rptraut]

Hello Ants4ever7;

 

When I first started ant keeping, I wanted an ant barrier that would be safe, easy to apply, and last a long time on a vertical surface.    I read about Olive oil and the problems with it being eaten by some ants, so I used heavy mineral oil that was in my medicine cabinet.   My mother used to give it to us kids as a laxative so I knew it should be safe for ants.   

 

A while ago I started a thread about heavy mineral oil that you will find here   Heavy Mineral Oil as a Barrier - General Ant Keeping - Ants & Myrmecology Forum (formiculture.com)

 

You'll find information and opinions on other deterrents like fluon in the thread, I hope the information is useful.

RPT