Ant-ipathy

[kitanzi]

I am working hard to forget my kitchen counter is swarming with ants. I have Taken Steps, but right now I am staying out of there. This is the umpteenth time we've had them here, and we had them only once in the old place. *sigh*

In the meantime, I am seeking diversions, and this looks like a dandy one for anyone who's a comic book fan:

http://www.wowio.com/users/searchresults.asp?nPublisherId=105

Wowio has free downloads of lots of interesting books and comics, and haven't sent me any spam in the month or two that I've been signed up with them. (Or if they have the spam filter caught it - I don't think they did.) The account is free, the variety is good, and they do seem to be fair about making sure they clear things with the authors first and compensate them.

EDIT: The above particular link seems to be with Wowio, but it also associated with the Hero Initiative, which describes itself as "the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterdays' creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It's a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment."

(thanks to mosellegreen on pointing that part out!)

Comments

[stevemb.livejournal.com]

I've used Wowio for a while, and haven't had any spamming or other issues. Apparently, their business model is to mark downloads with the requester's name so that illegal redistribution can be detected and to add a few pages of ads to the free ones (neither of which I have a particular problem with).

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

I didn't know about the download marking, though it makes good sense. I did notice the ads, but how else are they going to offer free downloads and still compensate the authors? I have no problem with that either, as long as they aren't spamming me, and like I said I haven't noticed any. It's nice to have someone else's experience be the same, to confirm.

[thatcrazycajun.livejournal.com]

I feel your pain with regard to the ant infestation; I am still fighting off the sumbitches in my own kitchen and bathroom, despite the steps ACat advised me to take, which I did (they worked for awhile, but the little shits have started creeping into the place again). Like you, I had much less of an insect problem in the last apartment; I suspect the colonies right outside my building the management is supposed to have Taken Care Of are either not quite dead yet or replaced with new ones.

And thanks for the information on Wowio and the Hero Initiative.

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Try the boric acid Vila suggested in his comment - he generally knows what he's talking about! (grin and duck!) (Although I would be concerned about your cat getting into it, depending on where you'd need to put it down.)

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Matt, I doublechecked with Melissa Glasser and also with Becky (whose last name escapes me, now that she's married), two vets I know in fandom. You probably at least know Melissa Glasser, right? Anyhow, they say boric acid is safe for cats, and even the bait in the ant traps isn't more than mildly toxic. The larger fear on the traps seems to be that some cats try to swallow them whole, causing intestinal blockage.

Killing ants - works on roaches, too...

[vila-resthal.livejournal.com]

Boric acid is your friend. Sprinkle it thickly where the bugs are used to invading. They walk through it, and within three days they have *disolved* from the chemical reaction between their chitin and the acid. They cannot become immune to it, they cannot detect it, they will not avoid it, they will simply die - you will rejoice in their tiny screams of anguish and the lamentations of their women.

The boric acid will be effective for one year, or until it gets wet. (I realize that no one sane wants to leave a weird white powder all over their countertops for a year, but the stuff does last that long if it doesn't come in contact with water.)

It can be bought in quart-size yellow plastic containers marked "Roach Powder" in hardware stores, or in boxes not unlike those of baking soda that can be found in the home canning supplies section of stores.

I hope this helps,

Dan

Re: Killing ants - works on roaches, too...

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

It sounds worth trying, although I'd be concerned if I had to put it down where the cats might get into.

Re: Killing ants - works on roaches, too...

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Never mind, I doublechecked with a couple of vets I know, and they say it's safe for cats. I'll get some today, and thanks for the thought!

[tarkrai.livejournal.com]

I actually ran into Wowio earlier today... but they won't let me download cuz I live in Germany. :(

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Well, dammit, that sucks. I'm sorry.