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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ctrlaltndel on July 16, 2002, at 12:11:51
no message!!
Posted by Gabbi on July 16, 2002, at 17:55:12
In reply to Bleedin Ants ! --- literally (nm), posted by ctrlaltndel on July 16, 2002, at 12:11:51
Posted by ctrlaltndel on July 16, 2002, at 18:09:12
In reply to Why are the ants bleeding? (nm), posted by Gabbi on July 16, 2002, at 17:55:12
Posted by babyBella on July 16, 2002, at 18:51:23
In reply to I'm squishing them ..but it makes me feel bad (nm) » Gabbi, posted by ctrlaltndel on July 16, 2002, at 18:09:12
Posted by Gabbi on July 16, 2002, at 18:51:52
In reply to I'm squishing them ..but it makes me feel bad (nm) » Gabbi, posted by ctrlaltndel on July 16, 2002, at 18:09:12
I know you probably didn't want a response to that. But well here I go..... I feel bad doing that kind of stuff too when I was a kid it tormented me to see how the other kids tortured bugs. and y'know I'm a vegetarian and all the rest.
Mosquitos though have always been the exception. I thought they were everyones exception. I met this little girl last week, she's 10 and when a mosquito lands on her she lets it take its fill and fly off, and she gets nasty bumps from them like the rest of us.
She just says that thats how they have to live and she doesn't mind. And her family life certainly hasn't taught her that kind of understanding... It makes me wonder if such a sensitive spirit is in for a long hard road.. what a terrible way to have to think.
Posted by Dinah on July 16, 2002, at 19:59:02
In reply to I'm squishing them ..but it makes me feel bad (nm) » Gabbi, posted by ctrlaltndel on July 16, 2002, at 18:09:12
I was mowing over an anthill with great satisfaction this evening.
You've tweaked my conscience, you two. Mind you I don't have anything against ants. Just as long as they live somewhere else.
Of course I might have felt worse about it if they were close enough for me to see their blood. At the far end of the lawn mower, it didn't seem so gory.
Nope, that wouldn't have been much different. You're just plain nicer than I.
(Beardy, I hope you're proud of me for the "I".)
Posted by ctrlaltndel on July 16, 2002, at 20:39:29
In reply to You are such a gentle soul » ctrlaltndel, posted by Dinah on July 16, 2002, at 19:59:02
Tis the buddhist in me...although I'm not a buddhist ....?
Anyway these ants crawl up my legs. On my desk when I squish them they make a little popping noise..sorry for being so graphic .The living ants collect the dead ones and take it back to the queen so I guess I'm feeding the queen..ain't so bad.
Posted by ctrlaltndel on July 16, 2002, at 20:57:58
In reply to Re: I'm squishing them ..but it makes me feel bad » ctrlaltndel, posted by Gabbi on July 16, 2002, at 18:51:52
Posted by Dinah on July 16, 2002, at 21:01:40
In reply to mosquitos are asking to be squished-no problem (nm) » Gabbi, posted by ctrlaltndel on July 16, 2002, at 20:57:58
Posted by medlib on July 17, 2002, at 5:34:29
In reply to I'm squishing them ..but it makes me feel bad (nm) » Gabbi, posted by ctrlaltndel on July 16, 2002, at 18:09:12
Hi ctrlaltndel--
I dealt with ants for 10 years while living on a California hillside; the best remedy I found was to suction them up. Using the hose attachment of a hand-held vacuum, I followed the trail back to the point they entered the house--where I sprayed a single tiny dot of ant spray (and, by now, there's bound to be an environmentally safe alternative to the spray). The first time I used the vacuum I half-expected them to crawl back out, but they didn't.
My kind-heartedness just doesn't extend to harmful insects. And, since they outnumber us so overwhelmingly, I have no doubt that their species will outlive ours.
Ruthlessly yours---medlib
Posted by shar on July 17, 2002, at 13:45:34
In reply to Re: Ants--low pollution solution for the squeamish » ctrlaltndel, posted by medlib on July 17, 2002, at 5:34:29
I watched a whole show devoted to what to do about ants. This guy was totally against killing them, and almost half the show was devoted to making the outside of your house more appealing than the inside, so they prefer the outside. Even how to build an 'ant house' (like a bird house or something) for them to enjoy outside the house.
Anyway, ants sincerely dislike the smell of peppermint (even tho, yes, they will get on peppermint candy). So, he said you mix up a batch of Dr. Bronner's Peppermint castile soap (it is old as the hills; comes in a plastic squeeze bottle) and water. You want enough soap so the scent is obvious. Then you find out where they are coming in (follow the trail) and start spraying from there.
That stops them from coming in, and then you go to the other end of the trail and spray the whole thing and they want to get out because of the peppermint. I usually end up drowning them, I think, which would not be in keeping with this guy's philosophy.
After they are gone, or before if you want, you 'wash up' the area with the soap. Sort of just like wiping up counter or floor or whatever. It is soap so it does need a rinse if you're a truly neat, tidy person. The scent will stay for a while.
I suggest giving their entry point a spray a couple of times a day just to keep them out.
I get ants thru my kitchen window above the sink at times, and have used this method with good success. I just spray the heck out of the window, the counter, the sink, and whatever else is in the way and let it be.
Shar
Posted by tabitha on July 17, 2002, at 14:52:03
In reply to High maintenance-low fatality option, posted by shar on July 17, 2002, at 13:45:34
I'm curious, why is this guy against killing ants? Is it just ethical, or do ants have some usefulness?
Posted by ctrlaltndel on July 17, 2002, at 18:24:15
In reply to Re: Ants--low pollution solution for the squeamish » ctrlaltndel, posted by medlib on July 17, 2002, at 5:34:29
Hi Medlib
Yeh with vengence I've vacuumed but they seem to have no clear path..anyway I'm getting to like em ..strange I know.
Posted by ctrlaltndel on July 17, 2002, at 18:33:29
In reply to High maintenance-low fatality option, posted by shar on July 17, 2002, at 13:45:34
Shar...
Seems too much of a task for me and Dr Bronners peppermint castile soap , I don't think you can get it in uk , suppose peppermint toothpaste wouldn't do.
Why is it cats chase anything but not ants..also people hardly fear ants , anyway your advice was much appreciated.
Posted by babyBella on July 17, 2002, at 19:06:16
In reply to mosquitos are asking to be squished-no problem (nm) » Gabbi, posted by ctrlaltndel on July 16, 2002, at 20:57:58
I have a rule, it's terribly mean and barbaric and my bf hates me for it, the rule is, if it's in my house it dies, if it's outside I leave it alone. I wlll never kill a bug outside, I may run around in a panic but not kill it..hehe
babyB
Posted by shar on July 19, 2002, at 0:03:07
In reply to Re: High maintenance-low fatality option » shar, posted by tabitha on July 17, 2002, at 14:52:03
He was a tree-hugger, I believe. He thought the best approach was live and let live. Or, maybe he knew a lot about ants, and secretly just wanted his own cable show, so..... 8-)
Shar
Posted by Dinah on July 19, 2002, at 8:43:26
In reply to Re: High maintenance-low fatality option, posted by shar on July 19, 2002, at 0:03:07
We've got one of those bug vacuums with sticky paper inside.
My son just recently realized the bugs don't happily live on in their new home.
This is the end of the thread.
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