May 19, 2012

White Dog is such a drama queen. She and I spent time researching natural ant repellents and herbal solutions to our kitchen invasion of tiny insistent hordes of ants. The store bought stuff didn't work; the bug guy said horrible poisons were our only hope (well, he didn't exactly say it like that); everyone else shook their heads and said, "if you find something safe let me know!" Meantime, the ants returned everytime we thought we had solved the problem.

We finished our research and took a visit to the herb store down the street (a nice advantage of living in a hip University area). We had our list.

Back home, I got out a clean spray bottle, arrayed our tinctures, boiled some water in the teapot and set up the lab. This was the point where White Dog, my loyal Watson, abandoned me and pushed the new recruit, Oso, into the kitchen to assist. "I AM not afraid of your mad scientist antics," WD explained, "it is just that the new boy needs the experience." OAWD, the Fearless, came in wagging, thinking that like Steve, I was in the room to prepare foodables that included tasting duties.

I mixed and tested batch one on my living ant farm; they scattered and returned but avoided the area sprayed. I tinkered with the formula and tried again. It smelled nice. This time bugs dropped over on contact but the survivors still returned after a few hours. I made an adjustment to the rosemary and voila! Success! The ants died on contact and have stayed gone. The White Dog Army does not seem to mind the smell but it does not attract them to lick the areas. Oso and I high-pawed each other and did a little victory dance.

White Dog came in and asked, "How are we doing?" "WE are great," I replied, "I am pretty sure WE have a formula that works." "Should I set up a marketing plan?" asked the ever shrewd leader of the pack. I looked at Oso and then back at her. "Oso and I have decided to give this miracle bug spray to humanity as our gift. May households across the world smell nice and be ant free because of our concoction."

So here world, is the White Dog Army's No Fail Herbal Ant Eradicator:

Makes 1 large spray bottle. Use pure herb liquid extracts.

Add to bottle:
1/2 teaspoon Wintergreen
1 teaspoon Cedarwood
1-1/2 teaspoons Rosemary
1/2 teaspoon Cloves

Fill bottle slowly with hot water. Add 2 drops liquid dish soap. Add cap and shake bottle to mix. Mist spray areas with ant problems, thresholds, window sills, etc. May you be free of ants and stress always.