help on behalf of my elderly mum
 

My mum has been suffering for months with ants in her council flat, she has been told by hyndburn homes to buy powder and pesticides which you spray/ sprinkle in your carpet. She has been doing this and has spent a fortune on the stuff. I told her to ring hyndburn homes to get them to sort it out, she doesn't own the flat. She rang today firstly to be told ring enviro health, she did who told her to pay 25 pounds to come out and spray with an insecticide. She can't afford 25.pounds, and why should someone who is on pension and doesn't own the building pay this fee, the guy at hyndburn honest the second time was quite rude, you either pay the 25 pounds or put up with it?

Re: help on behalf of my elderly mum
 

We had an ant problem in the communal lounge, I went to Wilkinsons and got some Antstop and it cleared the problem in no time. Could be worth a try, it was less than four pounds

Re: help on behalf of my elderly mum
 

Some cheap home remedies here -
Home Remedies for Ants | eHow.com

The insecticides that would be used for the £25 treatment would do your mum more harm than the ants do, and there would be no guarantee that the ants wouldn't return.

Re: help on behalf of my elderly mum
 

Had a quick look to see who is responsible for pest control, I think it's the landlord and not the tenant .

The Standard Residential Tenancy Terms say that tenants must keep the place clean and not damage the premises (clause 63). If you follow your responsibilities under the Act and don’t cause an infestation of pests, then the landlord will be responsible for pest control as part of their responsibility to maintain the premises.

Tenants' Checklist

Re: help on behalf of my elderly mum
 

The site you have linked looks like it is Australian (see web address)

Re: help on behalf of my elderly mum
 

I've had some problems over the years, with ants, I got some ant powder from the supermarket, the little blitters sure don't like it, they're soon on their way.;)

Re: help on behalf of my elderly mum
 

Tell here to get some "Nippon" it comes in small tubes its like a clear syrup all you do is put a few drops on a bit of slate or something and put it down where they are coming in to the flat or if you cant find where that is find a main path they are taking the ants will think its sugar and take it back to the queen it only takes a few days add a few drops each day .
no more ants costs a few pounds and well worth it.
I think Wilkinsons sell it but if you cant find it let me know as i still have a tube of it you can have as i say it only takes a few drops and no more ants

Re: help on behalf of my elderly mum
 

Just to let you all know we got some Nippon its in a bait box....no trace since, apart from a tonne of corpses! All's well that ends well.

Re: help on behalf of my elderly mum
 

I like a happy ending......well, for your mum that is........the ants weren't so lucky I guess.

Re: help on behalf of my elderly mum
 

I haven't seen any in my gaff for months, yet on Sunday Joan was sweeping the passage outside my flat and she dashed back in asking where the ant powder was, it seems that on one of the walls in the corridor was covered with ants lots with wings, unfortunately for these little pests their lives were short lived they dont seem to like a squirt of this stuff, she looked the morning after no sign of movement what so ever just plenty of corpses, was wondering whether to send for Ducky:D

Re: help on behalf of my elderly mum
 

Glad the ant problem is sorted. I'm just as concerned with the rude attitude from the Hyndburn Homes member of staff that was so rude to you and feel strongly you should complain to them. Hyndburn homes spend umpteen thousands on promoting a good customer focused and caring attitude. Phone or write to Nigel Fenton the company's general manager.

Re: help on behalf of my elderly mum
 

To be quite honest I've never ever had any problems whilst dealing with HH or for that matter HBC, things might change now concerning HBC because I may start moan more:D

Re: help on behalf of my elderly mum
 

The thing to remember about ants is that when they go foraging, they leave a pheremone trail that they follow back home, and since at any one time there are probably many ants out foraging, they can turn up again after most of the nest is destroyed. If the queen is still alive they'll rebuild the nest so it's important to make sure the nest is completely destroyed and that the surrounding area of the nest is thoroughly cleaned to get rid of the pheremone trails.

The nest can actualy be completely destroyed without using any chemicals or poisons (not good if you have pets or small children) by simply pouring boiling water on it. This also causes any eggs to 'pop'.

Re: help on behalf of my elderly mum
 

was in Home and Bargain on Sunday and they had Nippon in there at 99p a tube if anyone wants some.

Re: help on behalf of my elderly mum
 

Buy it from B&Q Extra Blackburn, I believe they do a decent cheap one.