PepitoVFR Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 Hi all, Can anybody suggest how I can keep ants from milling around in and out of my dog's food dish inside the house? Obviously I don't want to use any poison that can hurt my pooch I know ants need to eat too but I'd rather they do that elsewhere thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Avanti* Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 You could place the dog's bowl in a saucer of water and create a moat where the ants cannot cross the water. I have used this before; it mostly works if the dog doesn't move the food bowl too much to break the water barrier. If you don't already have anything suitable plastic pot plant saucers from the $2 shop work well. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuralPug Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 You need to break the scent trail ants leave when they have discovered food. Firstly kill all ants in and around the bowl by with spray-on cooking oil which is harmless to you and your pets but suffocates insects instantly. Then clean the area for at least a metre around the bowl with your favourite enzyme cleaner or 50% solution of white vinegar. If you can backtrack the ant trail to where they are entering the house you may be able to block it or apply a blob of dishwashing detergent straight from the bottle as a barrier they won't cross. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PepitoVFR Posted February 1, 2017 Author Share Posted February 1, 2017 Thanks for those suggestions ! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandgrubber Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 When I had a cattery in WA I used to use talcum powder to interrupt / erase scent trails. It worked well. Water works even better but it gets messy if you have dogs like mine (Labbies). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 I use an ant proof bowl - a plastic one with a moat that you put water in. I only have to keep the moat filled for a few days and then they give up and go away. I use this one, and also gave one to my father who was having an ant problem too. http://www.petsofaustralia.com.au/ant-free-dog-and-cat-round-food-bowl/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappi&Monty Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 You can get specific ant proof bowls or placemat type things. Otherwise as above mentioned you can make a ring of something like water or oil around the bowl so ants can't cross the "moat" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 I've tried to do the moat thing with both Malcolm and Hamilton. They both drank the moat dry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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