Homeowner stumped by mysterious ‘mess’ oozing from wall
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What do you do when strange messes start to seep out from the corners of your home?
That's the question one Queenslander asked his neighbours after repeatedly coming across peculiar 'bits' on the floor of his Brisbane home.
The homeowner took to social media his mystery grievance, posting an image with the caption: 'Can anyone help identify what these bits are appearing from under our skirting board?'
'I believe it's coming from the wall [and] tapping the wall produces a few more bits. Have not noticed any sounds.'
'Usually seen this small mess appear in the morning, so maybe an overnight thing… Sometimes seen large black ants around,' he added.
ABC Pest Control Director Warren Bailey believes that the homeowner might have already worked out the likely culprit. He is certain that these bits are materials that the ants have destroyed inside of the wall.
'In the wall cavity, there must be black ants, and that must be what is bringing out the mess from the wall cavity onto the floorboards,' Bailey said.
He also added that this is a common occurrence, and has seen it 'heaps of times' in 'colder and older' homes. These pests are known to be very persistent and hard to get rid of.
These pesky critters can also put your health at risk. Due to their exposure to pet waste and the dirty areas of your house, black ants can carry harmful bacteria like salmonella.
In a similar situation, a mum from New South Wales found herself wondering what the strange mound of black dust in her bathroom is.
She posted her query on social media, and responses flooded in almost immediately.
It was clear what the mum was dealing with—it was no ordinary dust, but rather another telltale sign of an ant infestation.
Other users’ warnings were urgent and clear: Contact pest control immediately before things worsened. One even suggested that there might be termites lurking behind the walls, urging the mum to check if the area around the window sounded hollow.
You can read more about this story here!
So, how do you banish black ants from your home for good?
Most pest controllers suggest finding the nest and removing it, followed by sealing up the area so the pests have no opportunity to return. Below are other ways you can get rid of black ants:
Citrus peels are a surprising deterrent for these tiny invaders. Saving your orange or lemon peels and mixing them with water in a blender creates a citrusy solution that ants abhor. Simply pour the concoction into a spray bottle and spritz around baseboards and likely ant entry points.
Another widely recognised home remedy for black ant infestations revolves around the use of vinegar. A 50-50 mixture of white or apple cider vinegar and water can be an effective natural repellent. The vinegar scent disrupts their trails and communication, making it hard for them to regroup. Use this solution to wipe down countertops, mop floors, and spray on the ant trails visible to you.
Additionally, cinnamon is another spice ants can't stand. Sprinkling ground cinnamon or dispersing cinnamon essential oil along their routes can deter black ants from certain parts of the house.
Of course, these measures can help prevent an invasion of ants, but the results will vary depending on the size and persistence of the colony.
While these remedies are non-toxic and safe for your family and pets, to be on the safer side of things, always wear gloves to protect your hands while preparing and applying these mixtures.
Remember, these remedies are most effective as preventative measures. For an existing large infestation, seeking professional help may be the best course of action to fully eradicate these health hazards from your home.
Have you ever experienced an ant infestation at home? What did you do to handle the infestation? Share your experience with us in the comments below!
That's the question one Queenslander asked his neighbours after repeatedly coming across peculiar 'bits' on the floor of his Brisbane home.
The homeowner took to social media his mystery grievance, posting an image with the caption: 'Can anyone help identify what these bits are appearing from under our skirting board?'
'I believe it's coming from the wall [and] tapping the wall produces a few more bits. Have not noticed any sounds.'
'Usually seen this small mess appear in the morning, so maybe an overnight thing… Sometimes seen large black ants around,' he added.
One homeowner wondered what these ‘peculiar’ bits are found under their skirting board. Image source: Facebook.
ABC Pest Control Director Warren Bailey believes that the homeowner might have already worked out the likely culprit. He is certain that these bits are materials that the ants have destroyed inside of the wall.
'In the wall cavity, there must be black ants, and that must be what is bringing out the mess from the wall cavity onto the floorboards,' Bailey said.
He also added that this is a common occurrence, and has seen it 'heaps of times' in 'colder and older' homes. These pests are known to be very persistent and hard to get rid of.
These pesky critters can also put your health at risk. Due to their exposure to pet waste and the dirty areas of your house, black ants can carry harmful bacteria like salmonella.
In a similar situation, a mum from New South Wales found herself wondering what the strange mound of black dust in her bathroom is.
She posted her query on social media, and responses flooded in almost immediately.
It was clear what the mum was dealing with—it was no ordinary dust, but rather another telltale sign of an ant infestation.
Other users’ warnings were urgent and clear: Contact pest control immediately before things worsened. One even suggested that there might be termites lurking behind the walls, urging the mum to check if the area around the window sounded hollow.
You can read more about this story here!
Black ants are a common occurrence in colder and older homes. Image source: wirestock on Freepik.
So, how do you banish black ants from your home for good?
Most pest controllers suggest finding the nest and removing it, followed by sealing up the area so the pests have no opportunity to return. Below are other ways you can get rid of black ants:
Citrus peels are a surprising deterrent for these tiny invaders. Saving your orange or lemon peels and mixing them with water in a blender creates a citrusy solution that ants abhor. Simply pour the concoction into a spray bottle and spritz around baseboards and likely ant entry points.
Another widely recognised home remedy for black ant infestations revolves around the use of vinegar. A 50-50 mixture of white or apple cider vinegar and water can be an effective natural repellent. The vinegar scent disrupts their trails and communication, making it hard for them to regroup. Use this solution to wipe down countertops, mop floors, and spray on the ant trails visible to you.
Additionally, cinnamon is another spice ants can't stand. Sprinkling ground cinnamon or dispersing cinnamon essential oil along their routes can deter black ants from certain parts of the house.
Of course, these measures can help prevent an invasion of ants, but the results will vary depending on the size and persistence of the colony.
While these remedies are non-toxic and safe for your family and pets, to be on the safer side of things, always wear gloves to protect your hands while preparing and applying these mixtures.
Remember, these remedies are most effective as preventative measures. For an existing large infestation, seeking professional help may be the best course of action to fully eradicate these health hazards from your home.
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