Deck-safe ant repellant?
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 11 May 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| Ilithiya |
11 May 2005 |
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I went to ready my books and decks for the move, and I got a nasty surprise - sugar ants infested my tarot bin! *cusses a blue streak*
So I ended up opening and checking every single deck in there, and while I got all the little buggers, I need to make sure that I'm not going to be carrying a colony to my new house.
Does anyone have any suggestions for deck-safe ant repellents? I don't want to toss marigolds in there, since as the petals decompose they'll stain and stick to the boxes. I'd prefer non-chemical for obvious reasons... help?
Illy
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| mike gorth |
11 May 2005 |
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This is just a suggestion, I'm not sure it works but maybe put the cards in some incense. Smoke I've heard drives away pests. I mean heavily so you get a smoky smell.
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| Emeraldgirl |
11 May 2005 |
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Perhaps there are some herbs or something you could try. I know ants don't like baking soda
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| bladeraven |
11 May 2005 |
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oh wow...sugar ants..that's a nasty lot..try catnip....but if you have a cat...well..you get the picture...lol...even place a bag or two of mint tea would work...pming you a link you will like...it gives natural methods of pest control...ie....catnip....mint tea bags...your siblings shoes....
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| lunalafey |
12 May 2005 |
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I would not worry about an ant or two. They can't reproduce.
As long as you don't bring the Queen along with you you will be alright. The lpossibility that the Queen is living with your decks is quite slim. She will most likely have a den in the earth someplace.
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| Ace |
12 May 2005 |
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You probably got something sticky on your cards. Or maybe they were attracted to sweat or the oils of your skin transfered to the cards. To make the cards less attractive, maybe treat them with something that gets those oils off. I have meant to do it myself but didn't so I don't KNOW this will work, but try rubbing them with baking soda or cornstarch. Let them sit all mixed in, in a bowl of the stuff overnight, and then wipe them off. That might help.
Ace
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| Ilithiya |
12 May 2005 |
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Thanks for the suggestions! :)
My exterminator tells me that a vinegar wipe will get the scent trails off, but I am sooo not doing that to my cards. Imagine what that would to do the ones without a solid lamination on them! :)
Illy
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| Dark Inquisitor |
15 May 2005 |
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Wherever I live, I put boric acid around the perimeters of the rooms, between the carpet and the wall.
I don't think repellants work too much with ants - they are determined . I would suggest putting each of your decks in a plastic zip lock sandwhich bag so you can have some peace of mind. Figure out some new container to put them in that bugs can't get into .
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| full deck |
16 May 2005 |
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. . . try rubbing them with baking soda or cornstarch. Let them sit all mixed in, in a bowl of the stuff overnight, and then wipe them off. That might help. Never cornstarch. It draws certain insects. Baking Soda probably would not hurt anything, however. Just make sure the decks are clean and put them in a safe, dry place.
You could try washing your hands more often before you read perhaps.
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| SphinYote |
16 May 2005 |
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Do you have your individual decks in any kind of container (the original box, a fabric bag, etc)?
I'm not sure I'd recommend doing anything directly to the cards, but if you have them each in individual containers, you might put something (as per other people's suggestions) on the containers themselves--a bit of vinegar on the box or fabric for example (although might wanth to be careful with fabric, especially if it's something that's really important to you. You don't want to stain it or cause the dye to fade--I'm not sure what effect vinegar might have on certain tyes of dyes, although if you don't have a cat I believe catnip would be harmless enough. I could be wrong though).
Just a thought.
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| Umbrae |
16 May 2005 |
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Chalk.
Chalk powder. you can use straight chalk from a stick, but it works best if you grind it -- repowder it first.
Then make a chalk line around your stuff...or better, make a chalk line that forces them elsewhere.
Chalk and salt will make them relocate - just make sure you provide them with an exit route to an area where you may not object to their living.
Chalk gets in their joints and becomes an abrasive internal destructor.
For cockroaches mix 50% Plaster of Paris with 50% sugar - they dine, then drink...
For your deck: Fanning powder
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| Ace |
16 May 2005 |
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Look in the search engine on the forum for Fanning powder threads, that is a good idea, if they are sticky.
And one more thing: never underestimate the power of Tupperware or other containers. Apparently, they work better than plastic bags for keeping insect out.
Ace
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The Deck-safe ant repellant? thread was originally posted on 11 May 2005 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.
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