Weird Ants and Pencil on door....help

Hello - A product called "the magic eraser" will remove the pencil on the door. You can find them at Wal-Mart, Target etc. The little "flying ants" are fruit flies and yes they are hard to get rid of. Fly paper works well for them. They are attracted to fruit and some plants. They will not go away until whatever they are eating is gone too.

Try Magic Eraser... it has even taken off permanent marker for me with a little elbow grease! :)

I've heard Terro is the best for ants - not experience talking but have been told that by others!

Good luck!
M.

Try a Magic Sponge Eraser. You can get them at Wal-Mart in the cleaning isle it's by Mr. Clean. They work miracles.

I'm sorry I have no solution for the pencil, but the ants I do. We are in the midwest and love our flowers. We grow Peonies in our yard and they have to have ants to bloom and thrive. But to prevent them from coming in our house, we have lined doorways and window sills with baby powder. Yep, regular old baby powder. They hate the smell of it and once the walk through it it somehow gets in their systems and they die. I don't know why it works, but I have done it now for 10 years in a row every spring and I don't have ants. Good Luck.

try using mr clean magic erasers... they work really well....

those are carpenter ants, call your landlord.

for the pencil, try mr. clean magic eraser. for the ants, have your landlord take care of them. we had them in our home last year. It was like one day they just showed up and there ws no getting rid of them. it seemed if I killed 20 one day the next day 40 showed up. if they are what we had, the terminix guy said they were some sort of breeding ant.

We had the same kind of ants you describe. We called a pest control company and was told they are carpenter ants and won't eat up the wood like termites. So my husband found these odd looking ant traps that you slide under the window frame or baseboard. They have helped a lot.

For pencil stains, I'd try those Magic Erasers. I've found they will get rid of almost any stain on any surface. Be careful using them around children. Keep them out of reach after you have used them the chemicals in them can burn their tender skin. I've used them and had no problem with hurting my skin and I didn't wear rubber gloves or anything.

Good luck. Wish I knew the name of the ant traps for you.

As for the pencil markings on your door, I'd try Mr. Clean magic eraser. It's done the trick many times for me and saves you from the worry of re-painting. I know it's sold just about anywhere and for sure at Walmart. You'll probably have to "erase" the entire door.

For the pencil marks, use the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. What a fantastic little sponge!

Mr. CLean magic Erasers always work good for me. You have to rinse it a lot and don't scrub too hard, but they get everything off. Pencil, crayon and even sharpie come off my kitchen cabinets with the magic eraser. Also, don't buy the store brand, they don't work near as well. I hope this helps.

About the weird ants, they are lookiing for a new home. Most of these ants are worker ants with a few Queen ants. The place they are now investing has become overfull, or is in dangerr of being destroyed, such as with heavy rains or such. And we all know about the rain. They are just inquisitive and looking for a new home. Good luck...

V.N. of Hutchinson

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works everytime. Also another life saver is Goo Gone.

I just had the same ant problem and called a pest inspector. I thought they were termites too because of the wings. However they were out and about in daylight (termites don't like light). He came and looked at them and said they were not termites and they were not carpenter ants either. He said there are over 900 different ant species and all of them have wings at some point in time. I asked if they were doing damage to my house. He said no. He said they are simply a nusence. I heard of putting out corn meal. I put it in the window sill and they have carried ot off. They don't seem to be near as active but I still see a few from time to time and need to put out some more of the corn meal. I asked the pest inspector about the corn meal solution. He said he had another customer tell him the same thing but he didn't know why it would work. It's worth giving it a try. He was going to charge me $95 for treatment. I live in rural Kansas. S.

Oh my, you need to see your landlord about the ants. Sounds like carpenter ants. We had them at our first house. Thought they were termites, but thankfully and regretfully they weren't. They are the ants that eat wood. They are definately easier and cheaper to get rid of than termites. Please check with your landlord and have them come out and check it out. They can be very damaging. If the landlord won't do anything about it tell them you'll get an exterminator out and have them do the job and then tell the landlord that you'll send them the bill since it is their complex and they are supposed to take care of these things. If your neighbors are having the same trouble then get with them and stand up for your rights as tenants. But do have something done soon, cuz they can do some damage.
The ants ate thru the wood between our back porch and porch roof and we ended up having to replace the wood (which was freaky looking with the tunnels in it) and redo the roof. Cost a couple of hundred but worth it. And my parents had them eat thru a tree and when a storm came thru the tree fell on the house. They didn't know the tree had an infestation until in landed on the house. That was freaky looking also, cuz there were holes and tunnels in the tree where they ate thru and lived. Gives me the heeby jeebies thinking about it now.
About the marks on the door...try the magic eraser. Just keep it away from your children. If that doesn't work ask the landlord for some paint and explain why and I'm sure they'll be okay with you painting over it. Saves them the trouble later. Good luck and God Bless.

Hi, I may be able to help with the "ANT" problem...
Try laying around "BAY" leaves. I have them laying around my cuboards all the time and have not seen an ant in three years.

As for the pencil marks, try dry baking soda. Hope it works.
Good Luck, cj

Have you tried a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on the pencil mark...I've used it on many different things around here, almost always successfully.

As far as the ants go, it sounds like carpenter ants, which can do as much damage as termites. I would report this your building's maintenance department. If you can, also get one and keep it intact, if an exterminator comes it helps if they get to see them. I had them in St. Louis and they wouldn't spray for them until they had positive confirmation that's what I had. It seemed like they were pretty hard to get rid of, but several months of treatments and they were finally gone.

About the pencil marking, try Mr Clean Magic Eraser, it works wonders on the surfaces where nothing else will work. With the ants you may want to get your landlord or you can put some granual ant killer around the trees outside. I just had Terminix come out to my house, the technician said this is one of the worst years for ant infestations they've seen and they seem to be coming out of the tress (at least at my house). So if you have alot of trees that may be it. Good luck!

I haven't read all the other responses, but I read about a non-toxic bug spray called 'Orange Gaurd' in a Woman's World magazine. I have not tried it, but it's worth a shot!
God Bless!

I can't help you with the ants but the pencil marks will come off with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser......it works wonders for anything.

For the pencil marks, you can try a magic eraser by Mr Clean or mix water and vinegar. I have started using water and vinegar to clean more with (very inexpensive). About the ants, we get regular ants at the first of warm weather, we just buy the little plastic round traps with the insectside inside and place them where we see ants. I like them, because my 3 year old does not bother them. Hopefully they will work on your winged ants.

Have you tried the Magic Eraser I think from Mr Clean (name brand), but Walmart has a generic brand too. They work great, and getting things like that out.

Also the ants with wings, sounds like carpenter ants...Ususally spraying does work, that you have to find where they are coming from, they like dead wood, and probably have a nest there...we have had them, not fun...and a carpenter had to come in and replace the window seal (that was wrotten), thats where are was.

Good Luck. C. ____@____.com

Hello,

I am hoping that you are using safer products around your small children clorox is such a toxic product. I am a represenative with a Health & Wellness Company. I would like for you to read this short testimonial and if you you like to try it I would be glad to get it to you.
Category: Healthy Home - Paint
Submitted by: Robbie Wigley

Removing Paint Stains on the Mirror
We painted my bathroom about 2 1/2 years ago and have paint splats on the mirror and on the towel hangers - lots of places. I haven't been able to get it off. So I finally decided to us the Solumel and it came off. But so did my nail polish!! But that is so much better then not coming off at all. It's great stuff.

http://pamp.healthyhometour.com

Pam

Try the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on the door. It has worked for a lot of stuff for me.

Hello,
I have a friend that swears by something for your walls and doors. Its called Mr. Clean Magic Eraser you can buy it at Walmart or almost anywhere. And for your ants it something called Torro ant killer its comes in many forms It works wonderfully I use and it works. I have had a lot of problem with ants. Try it you will like it. There is a dust you can buy and sprinkle along the out side of you apartment and they won't come in anymore. Its wonderful stuff.
J.

well my advice to you with the pencil is to buy a Mr clean magic eraser. they work on almost every marking. you can also try orange clean wich also works for crayon on walls and other painted surfaces. sometimes it is the easy things that work best! as for your flying ant problem, try spraying some listerine, it works to keep away many insects and also kills them with no harm to humans. Good Luck!!

Can't help with the ants, but as far as the pensil on the door. If the door is painted than try baking soda toothpaste (paste not gel) or baking soda made into a paste with water. If you gett BBC America there is a great show called How clean is your house" it has great home remedies for cleaning.

I can't really help with the ants, but I think I can with the pencil markings. You can try Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, it really does work on most things on the wall, it works best if the wall is or counters are white. Don't use it on wood products though, I think it makaes wood products look bad afterward. Anyway you can get it at wal mart for around 2 or 3 dollars and it comes with 2 sponges. Just get it wet and then you will have to scrub pretty hard depending on the marking, and with pencil I've always found it a little harder to scrub out and since you've already added other chmicals you may have to scrub a little harder, ALSO ANOTHER HINT, GET THE WALL WET WITH A WET WASH CLOTH EBEFORE SCRUBBING WITH MAGIC ERASER. Then keep these things around for these types of things, they work really well for crayons and such, you just have to scrub really hard, but keep out of your kids reach!!!!!! Wash your hands really good after using them as the chemicals on them can be harmful if left on your hands for an extended period of time, also wash the walls down afterward too. Good luck! K

Mr clean Magic erasers. They work great but dont rub to hard. If your paint is another color be very careful. Also Grease lightening. Do not use bleach with Mr. Cleans. It does work though. Those do sound like termites.

As far as the pencil goes...I would try Krud Kutter. Love the stuff.

Mr Clean's Magic eraser gets pencil off super fast & easy for me.

Try the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. They seem to get anything out.

I always wash, literally wash my fruits and veggies when I get home from the grocery store. It is one of the first things I do as I put my groceries away.
Fruit fly eggs are on things like banana skins and tomato vines.
Since I have begun this ritual... our fruit flies are gone.

Hi
I know that H2 from Shaklee works well on keeping bugs out. It is all natural. It is completely safe for the home, family, and environment. We have had problems with ants and I put H2 directly at the spot I noticed them coming in and haven't seen any since. H2 can also be used to clean. I would try Scour off from Shaklee for your pencil. Just some suggestions. IF you want to check out these products go to www.shaklee.net/K.-thomas

spread ground cinnamon around they won't cross

Can't help you with the ants, however, regarding the pencil.....Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser is a beautiful thing. It does work magic. There are generics that work as well, and I do use them, but they tend to crumble quickly. Just do NOT let your child touch it. There have been kids that have tried to use the eraser and broke out in a horrible rash, some even got very sick.

It has to be one of those things that your child associates with Mr. Yuk just like ALL cleaning solutions. "Mr. Yuk means, Don't Touch!" My daughter knows that if it is something that has the Mr. Yuk sticker on it, she should not touch it because it will make her sick.

Good Luck!

Try one of thoise magic eraser sponges to clean up the door. They are amazing!

Try the Magic Eraser for the pencil marks...I think that thing really is magic! :)...as far as the ants...I don't know...good luck!

I don't know about the ants, but i would try goo gone on the door. You can find it anywhere but the dollar tree is the best cause it will only be $1.

WARNING... the Mr. Clean Eraser is great for getting pencil, crayon and marker off of about anything... just keep it AWAY from your kids. It is a chemical and can cause a chemical burn on the skin.

Good Morning MW. Have you tried simple green? Or a paste mixture of baking soda and water to remove the pencil marks?
Both have worked for me. The Mr Clean erase should work but you do not want to rub hard it maybe remove the color or finish just a tab. Would you believe I used Mr. C. Erase on two of my living room tables, seems some one wasn't watching well and a cig burned a sorch mark on each of them. The MR.C removed most of the scorch marks and what was left blended into the wood grain.

If you live in an apartment I would call your manager to have the ants taken care of. They ususally call an exterminator and they do have less harmful chemicals they can use.

Good Luck hope you get others advice that is so much better and works for you.
God Bless
K.

For the pencil on the door - have you tried the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser? It might work.

Now the flying ants. Check out this site: http://www.rosepestcontrol.com/pages/flying_ant_vs__termi... . It the both sets of wings are the same size, they are termites. You need to report them to you management and have them do the proper determination. If they are termites that are swarming they are looking to set up new colonies and develop new queens. If they are inside you apartment, your building probably already has an infestation. Termites reproduce in the soil, but eat wood - so there is no way you could treat this problem yourself. The Terro Ant Killer you are referring to would definitely attact them if they were ants. I have become an expert on this since I've just been through the whole process to the tune of $967.05 last Friday. Good luck - since this is your apartment - it's your management's responsibility to take care of it whether ants or termites.

I LOVE Mr. Clean Majic Eraser -- it gets out most everything! You can buy it at most stores including home improvement stores. Can't help you with the ants.

I don't know about the ants. We have an ant problem too, but many people I have talked to said they are just bad this year. As for the pencil, I have used Mr. Clean eraser pads. They have worked wonders. It just came right off. Hope this helps. E.

Dear M W,

This may not be very helpful because you can't just run to the store to pick these items up. But, I work from home with a wellness company that delivers the exact type of products you are needing. We have a product that will even take magic marker off of walls, furniture, etc. We also have a product that works like an insecticide but is totally safe for the children. I don't personally buy any consumables from the traditional stores anymore. Instead, I shop from a wellness store, have my products delivered to my door for less than I would have to pay at a local health store. The health of our families is so important and I was glad to hear you looking for an alternative to bug spray. I could go on and on about the dangers of bug spray and bleach and many other household items that I used to use, but I won't bore you:) Anyway, if you are interested in more details about these types of products, visit my website at www.akeeperathome.com. Have a great day!

Weird ants are in fact termites....period.!!!!..They swarm only in the spring.(Or if someone else has sprayed for them)
They tend to move around.
Pencil marks...Try making a paste of baking soda and peroxide.
Srub this into the marks and they should dissolve without Toxic effects to your children.Or try toothpaste. As they both have natural bleaching effects. PS: A mixture of dish soap( a few drops),hot sauce ,The louisiana style(1/2 teas.)or so with 6-8 oz.of water in any type of spray bottle ditures insects of most variety on plants or household objects
of any type.....No toxic effects...
LOL Grammy B.

I have heard about (but haven't tried) setting cornmeal out for the ants. They cannot digest it, and they take it back with them to the anthill. Most other insects cannot digest it, either. Put it out like you would with Tero ant killer. They come and eat it, and you should see a big reduction in a few days. Also, cormeal is not toxic to kids! We haven't had ant problems yet this year, but I'm ready, just in case.

The magic eraser works for about everything! I don't know about the ant problem though. Terro traps have always worked for us.

use magic rub... it is great.

Pencil marks - Mr. Clean Magic Eraser - this even takes off permanent marker. Sincerely, G.

We have the same weird ants. My sister's boyfriend is an entomologist and checked them out for us and said that the ants with wings are just the ones that are able to reproduce...the others do not have the ability to reproduce and are just workers. :)

I would have to agree with the magic eraser, it's amazing the things it can remove. I'm not sure about the fruit flys/ants though.

I'm not sure about the ant things but have you tried to use a magic eraser on the pencil? Those are AWESOME!! I've removed crayon, marker, pencil, you name it. The only thing it did not take off was years old grease on wooden cabinets. You can get them at any Dollar General or Family Dollar or Wal Mart if you don't have a dollar place close.
Hope it helps!
God Bless!
J. C.