Controlling Ants Ain't Hard: Use PIC
Written: Aug 23 '09 (Updated Sep 02 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Cheap; Easy to Use
Cons: Not recyclable
The Bottom Line: This is a cheap and economical means to rid your home and workspaces of various types of ants.
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| LonghornMan's Full Review: PIC Ant Control Systems |
The Basics
I have been using Pic Ant Control Systems child resistant bait trays for about five years. They have proven to be a very effective means to rid indoor and outdoor areas from several types of ants. This is all accomplished without the possibly dangerous side effects of having to use insect sprays, both over the counter and industrial strength. Such insecticides contain toxic chemicals and leave toxic vapors in the air as well as toxic residue inside and outside of one's residence that are potentially harmful to humans and pets.
Pic Ant Control Systems are sold in packages of four trays each. The front of the orange colored packaging is boldly labeled "ANT CONTROL" in white lettering with "SYSTEMS" in a slightly smaller font also in white directly below. The packaging pictured on Pic's website differs from that which I have purchased over the years. However, this must be relatively new packaging as I just purchased these last week with the packaging pictured here on Epinions. The packaging shown on their website is yellow and purple. Barring any changes to the ingredients of the trays, they should work just as well.
Ingredients
Sodium Tetraborate Pentahydrate makes up 5%, Ortho Boric Acid makes up 4%, and the remainder is made up of attractants equaling 91%.
Application
Applying Pic Ant Control Systems Bait Trays is quick and easy. One must simply separate each of the four individual bait trays from the plastic sheet in which they are held within. Freeing each tray is similar to the way one would snap out parts for a model. Once removed each bait tray should be placed in strategic areas to intercept the invading ants. The bottom side of each bait tray identifies the tray as a PIC Ant Control System and indicates that the sticker side, is the bottom side. It also lists the active ingredients, caution of storage and disposal, the lot number and offers a date to indicate the day in which the consumer deploys the bait tray. Each bait tray measures 2 ½ by 2 1/2 inches, so they can be placed in a variety of tight places.
Each bait tray offers two ½ inch openings for the worker ants to enter. Once exiting, the worker ants will feed other ants first, then themselves, thus poisoning the entire colony.
The back of the packaging shows bait tray placement suggestions, but some of them are questionable. One of them is the doorknob of your backdoor. Another is directly in front of doors. Yet another implies that you place a bait tray directly on your microwave control panel. Others are more reasonable and logical, such as baseboards and window sills. Personally, I have had positive results by using them, both on inside and outside window sills, baseboards, planter's window sills and exposed outdoor window sills when anchored using doubled over sticky side duct tape. When applying the bait trays in this fashion I have never witnessed ants crawling in and out, but I do know within 9 days the ants' presence ceased. However, it is pertinent that all other food products that may tempt the ants be removed. With no food sources to compete with the bait traps, the ants will disseminate and devour the poison, thus rendering their colony extinct.
Results
Since I have used Pic Ant Control Bait Traps, I have eradicated my kitchen from little black ants within two weeks of application every time I have used this product.
Advantages
One advantage is that Pic Ant Control Systems child resistant bait trays are inexpensive. Also, as advertised by the packaging, these bait trays are child resistant. Unless a child is left totally and completely unattended there is no way that they will be exposed to any toxins present in this product. The opening from which the ant killing agents could be dispelled is only ½ an inch and it is packed in a fashion that allows little or no spillage no matter the angle in which it is turned. This makes it as safe as it can be as far as an insect killing bait tray can go considering any possible exposure to children.
These bait trays are some of the cheapest available. The company's website offers packages of four for $2.30 plus shipping and handling. However, a careful shopper should be able to pick up a package of four for $1 plus tax at a variety of discount and closeout stores.
Another advantage is the Pic Ant Control Systems bait trays is the absence of toxic chemicals that if present could threaten the health of those trying to rid their home of ants. On three different occasions, my dog, Tiny Dancer, has gotten a hold of the bait trays and chewed on them. Though the internal ingredients were exposed after her gnawing, she exhibited no signs of poisoning or sickness. It has been over two years since the last time she nabbed one and she has exhibited no adverse effects from the exposure.
Drawbacks
While being child resistant, and pet resistant in my experience, they are neither child proof nor pet proof. If left in areas accessible to children or pets the result is potentially tragic. If sodium pentahydrate is consumed in a significant volume it can cause the following according to pesticideinfo.org:
-severe poisoning, erythematous and exfoliative rash, unconsciousness, respiratory depression, and renal failure.- Irritation of skin and respiratory tract.
- The gastrointestinal tract, skin vascular system and brain are the principal organs and tissues affected.
- Nausea, persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
- Lethargy and headache may occur but are less frequent.
- In severe poisonings, a beefy red skin rash affecting palms, soles, buttocks and scrotum has been described.
If you possess any of these symptoms do to exposure to the chemicals from this product, call poison control immediately.
The other active ingredient, Boric Acid, while toxic, in small amounts is not much more toxic to human beings than common table salt. Of course any human consumption of Boric Acid should be avoided.
Though the toxic effects of the ant killing ingredients should be taken into consideration and care should be taken to avoid contact with them, the design of the bait tray helps to prevent any spillage of said poisonous ingredients.
I am not sure of the effects that discarded bait taps may have on landfills. The used bait traps are certainly not recyclable and offer no applications for reuse. The paper based packaging is definitely recyclable but only makes up a fraction of the materials used to manufacture the product. This may make this undesirable to those who are environmentally conscious.
Final Recommendation
This is a safe an economical way to rid your home and/or workspace from sweet and grease eating ants, odorous ants and little black ants.
Company Contact Information
Pic Corporation
1101-1107 W. Elizabeth Ave.
Linden, NJ 07036
USA
www.pic-corp.com
Emergency contact: 1-877-255-3924
Other Insect Control Reviews
Pic Fly Ribbons
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
LonghornMan
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Location: Dallas, TX Dirty South
Reviews written: 63
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