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TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

I just came across an ant-like bug in my house. It seemed to have teeth or pincers of some sort. It's no more than a centimetre long. Anyone know if they're dangerous?

sarliz · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 198 Location: Jalisco

I think they might be leaf cutter ants. I killed one in our house a while back and my (Mexican) boyfriend told me that I shouldn't leave it in the middle of the floor, because if I were to step on it later, the teeth can get stuck in your foot. As disturbing as that is, he didn't mention anything more menacing than that.

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

On a semi-related note, has anyone noticed an invasion of cockroaches recently? I normally see maybe one a month, but one night last week I saw 8! I finally sprayed, which i don't like to do, and it's been better since then. And yes, my house is reasonably clean. I'm wondering if its too hot for them and they're looking for water or something?

MO39 · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:05 pm Post subject:

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

There's this cream stuff you can buy. I think its made out of borax. You put it on ledges, in corners, stuff like that. Its the only thing in the entire world (not exaggerating neither.. Laughing

) I've found that gets rid of them. Melee might know the name, I think she was the person who got me onto it.

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

MELEE kills animals? I can't believe that! Very Happy

MELEE · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:09 pm Post subject:

Contrary to popular belief, enviromentalist does not equal buddhist.

One brand of the borax stuff is call Cuca-fin. There's another brand in a green tub, but I don't remember the name of that one.

The great thing about boric acid is mamals can touch it and it won't harm us--but don't let your pets eat it! But it kills insects.

There are certain animals I don't kill, we catch and release snakes and tarantulas that wander into our house or yard by mistake. But there are many I kill if they are in my home. Just as human lifestyles have endangered some species, there are others that we have created super habitat for and they are in need a population control. Cockroaches, alacrans, rats, mice, dogs and cats to name a few.

The giant ant might be a chicatana--but those shouldn't come out until after the first heavy rain.

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

There is a never-ending supply of cockroaches and bugs in the tropics so it is an ongoing battle. Something like placing coca-cola would be an attaction for even more crawlies to enter and have a party. I think battling them rather than teasing them works better.

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

I guess you have never lived in the tropics! Wink

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

I'm not sure if they have these devices in Mexico but here in the States you can buy some things to plug into the walls and it lets off somekind of electical wave which keeps the bugs and rats away.

Who knows if it really works though. Crying or Very sad

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

It doesn't. Don't waste your money or your electricity.

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

Cuca-fin! Bing! That's it! I'm sure I had the green tub and it was called that.. I bought it off the guys on the street screaming out all the things they could kill.. I was going to say the fabby thing about it is you can apply it with your finger and not worry about poisoning yourself, which is definitely not something you can do with sprays. Did you know they're just watered down nerve gas?? Shocked

I'm somewhat given to extreme remarks at the moment, but I don't think its going too far to say I *love* Cuca-fin.

Jfurgers, I've spent large chunks of my life living in the tropics, and I'm with Samantha. Leaving any kind of opened food around is just an invitation. Coca-cola spread about the place would invite in creatures that would have never thought to enter your abode otherwise and create a rather disgusting scene of carnage all over your house. Not to mention the ants that will have a blast!