Numb. 1437
CLIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES (6/8/2025),
COUPLETS FOR REPLICANTS
and SOME ADVICE
Her name is Melania, but he calls her Melanie.
Is that because it rhymes with felony?
Twice divorced, draft-dodged by physician,
extreme libertine, pretending he's Christian.
Dear GOPers, crime you can't dwell on
since you elected a convicted felon.
His crimes are recorded. They are not purported.
Were he an alien, you’d want to deport him.
SOME ADVICE
How to Get Rid of Ant Hills
Ants often build small hills in between sidewalk cracks, but you may notice larger ant hills in other areas, like an underutilized corner of your yard, patio, or garden bed. Like icebergs, the top portion of an ant hill is just the beginning, and ant hills can extend several feet beneath the soil surface. Here are a few strategies that you can use to remove ant hills without using chemical pesticides or ending up with a pricey pest control bill.
1. Flattening and Excavation
One of the best ways to eliminate existing ant hills is to level the ant hill with a rake or shovel. Small hills can usually be tackled quickly, although larger, established hills may need to be leveled several times for ants to get the message and stop rebuilding. If you want to get results even faster, dig up the entire hill below the soil’s surface and then use either the flooding or boiling water treatment method.
Although excavation is effective against most ant species, it’s not recommended for fire ants due to their aggressive tendencies.
2. Flooding
If you prefer a more hands-off approach, you can use flooding to tackle ant hills. Place your garden hose near an existing ant hill and allow the hose to run for at least 3-5 minutes until the water starts to pool. Flooding should cause ant tunnels to collapse, but you might need to employ this technique several times on large hills with extensive tunnel networks.
3. Boiling Water
Pouring boiling water over ant hills can be even more effective than flooding, although it works best on small hills and shouldn’t be used near plants you value. Heat several pots of water to ensure you have enough to treat the entire hill in one go. Then, slowly and carefully pour the pots of water over the hill. Repeat this treatment, if needed, at weekly intervals until the ants stop rebuilding.
4. Boric Acid
Unlike many ant baits and traps, boric acid or borax is approved for organic gardens, and it can be used to kill ant colonies and their queen. For safety, keep borax away from pets and small children, and never sprinkle borax or boric acid directly on ant hills or in garden beds.Can be scaled up for H. Sap. infestations,
but these stubborn creatures would likely rebuild.
Ants often build small hills in between sidewalk cracks, but you may notice larger ant hills in other areas, like an underutilized corner of your yard, patio, or garden bed. Like icebergs, the top portion of an ant hill is just the beginning, and ant hills can extend several feet beneath the soil surface. Here are a few strategies that you can use to remove ant hills without using chemical pesticides or ending up with a pricey pest control bill.
One of the best ways to eliminate existing ant hills is to level the ant hill with a rake or shovel. Small hills can usually be tackled quickly, although larger, established hills may need to be leveled several times for ants to get the message and stop rebuilding. If you want to get results even faster, dig up the entire hill below the soil’s surface and then use either the flooding or boiling water treatment method.
If you prefer a more hands-off approach, you can use flooding to tackle ant hills. Place your garden hose near an existing ant hill and allow the hose to run for at least 3-5 minutes until the water starts to pool. Flooding should cause ant tunnels to collapse, but you might need to employ this technique several times on large hills with extensive tunnel networks.
Pouring boiling water over ant hills can be even more effective than flooding, although it works best on small hills and shouldn’t be used near plants you value. Heat several pots of water to ensure you have enough to treat the entire hill in one go. Then, slowly and carefully pour the pots of water over the hill. Repeat this treatment, if needed, at weekly intervals until the ants stop rebuilding.
Unlike many ant baits and traps, boric acid or borax is approved for organic gardens, and it can be used to kill ant colonies and their queen. For safety, keep borax away from pets and small children, and never sprinkle borax or boric acid directly on ant hills or in garden beds.
Can be scaled up for H. Sap. infestations,
but these stubborn creatures would likely rebuild.
