By Andrew Massaro
Ants are, along with humans, one of the most successful lifeforms to ever walk the face of the planet. Maybe that's why we don't get along. Ants can be a real terror for pet owners, as the expensive food we buy for our dogs often winds up feeding a voracious ant colony. Here are a few easy ways to protect your food from ant attacks using common household products.
Firstly, for all their persistence and tenacity, water is a more or less foolproof barrier to ants. One of the easiest ways to protect food from ants is to place the container in a shallow pan filled with water. If you don't have a pan large enough for this purpose, the lid to a large Rubbermaid container can work well. Or, place the container on a stand or table, with each leg standing in a cup of water.
Also, ants have great difficulty crossing extremely fine powder. It clings to their feet and antennae, irritating and discouraging them. A wide variety of materials can be used for this purpose- the most readily available is talcum, or baby powder. If this is not effective, you can use diatomaceous earth (available at garden supply stores), which also has a natural, non-toxic insecticidal effect. However, if you use this method, make sure to use a dust mask, as diatomaceous earth can cause irritation to the lungs if inhaled. So-called "Chinese Chalk" (illegal in the US, but widely available at your local Chinatown) is also effective.
If you're after a solution not involving the mess of liquids or powders, you can try covering the vertical surface of your container with scotch tape. The tape is too slick for ants to walk on easily, especially going straight up. The caveat to this method is that the tape must be perfectly smooth. Any creases or folds in the tape will provide a foothold, which ants will be quick to exploit.
As a final note, none of these methods will work if a "bridge" is provided for ants to bypass the barrier. Make sure not to lean any thing against the container, or let cords or the like hang down onto them! Ants are tremendously resourceful, and the most minute pathway to the food will soon become a booming highway of hungry bugs.
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Article Source: Keeping Ants Out of Your Pet's Food
