Thanks for all of the advice you guys!! Its honestly really helpful because I've done quite a bit of Google searching and have only found like 3 different relevant hits for getting rid of ants in a reptiles enclosure haha. Also sorry for being late to reply to this thread, its finals week and I just finished my first two exams. I know, it's a great time to be dealing with ants in the enclosures lol
@Bogertrophis Thanks for all of the info!! I think you're right that the ants are seeking water, although it hasnt really been dry lately. We tend to have pretty wet winters here, but I always find them near water faucets and they seem to be focusing the water bowl in the tub so I dont know what else to think besides that they are seeking water. The last several times I've checked the tubs I haven't found any ants, so I hope that means the worst is over. I still ordered some PAM and I'm planning on ordering some diatomaceous earth to sprinkle around the base of the rack in case I see any more ants. If I find any more, my plan is to wipe out the insides of the tub with the reptile mite spray I have on hand and use paper towel substrate until I'm sure they're gone for good (or until the PAM comes in). Although I have a feeling they may somehow be coming in through my stovetop. I always see them crawling on my stovetop-- so much so that yes I've even done the whole corpse warning thing before, standing there smashing them tediously one by one with a napkin and leaving their bodies for their brethren to find... ugggh. It actually worked pretty well though, as I haven't seen them there in a good bit. Which is nice, since I hate seeing them crawling around while I'm preparing food.
@zina10 I hate these ants too!! I live in south Texas and they're just everywhere, and Danger Noodles is right that they ball up into big writhing masses when it floods... gotta be careful walking through rainwater at night. Its terrible that your horses have had to deal with them like that, it's always awful when I see them on animals... theyre incredibly aggressive little creatures. My dogs have gotten into them before and it's not easy to get them off. Anyways, I appreciate the advice with the ant killer product! But since I have small dogs in my apartment as well as the snakes, I'm afraid if I put any product on the floor that they will get into it, especially if it's super smelly like you say it is... but I will definitely keep it in mind if I keep finding ants. I may just have to move the animals for a day or so like bcr229 suggested
@Crowfingers @MR Snakes Its honestly just insane what fire ants can do to a person. I had a similar experience as a young kid in New Orleans, where I grew up. Got my legs bit up terribly and also took a trip to the hospital... those bugs are no joke, and I was relatively lucky I didnt have a worse reaction. Yeah dont move south if you cant tolerate fire ants because they're everywhere not just in TX but all across the south
Again thanks everyone for your advice, I'll update as things progress
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