this post was submitted on 10 Mar 2025
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For some of the other posts I see here, in case you have these problems in the future. These aren't in order of importance.
Powdered ant killer that comes in the tube is better than those little ant traps. Don't waste your money on traps.
I had a groundhog living under some cement steps in the backyard. Tried all sorts of things to evict him, but didn't want to kill or hurt him. Tried repellents, moth balls, pepper powder, etc. Tried filling in the hole repeatedly. eventually I got pissed and started dumping the cat box in the den. I only had to do it once.
If you're paranoid about burglars, neighbors, etc. get some motion sensing lights for outside. And the cheapest home security cameras you can get. I started with some very cheap Blink wifi cameras (battery powered, about $100 for 4 on Woot!) years ago. Upgraded last year to mains powered Blink LED lights and cameras. Then when I went on vacation for a couple weeks, I pulled the battery cameras out of the drawer and set them up strategically inside the house. Blink charges a monthly subscription now (I grandfathered in before they charged), so plan accordingly.
know where all the shutoffs are, and how to use them. Power, Water, Natural gas, etc. And DON'T FUCK WITH NATURAL GAS! Let the professionals do it. I guy near Detroit killed his entire family last year swapping out a hot water heater himself. He survived. The house was no longer there.
Smoke alarms, get them. at least one for every level, PLUS one in every bedroom. Get the connected alarms that set off the entire house when one goes off. CO detectors too, if you have appliances that burn stuff.
Or, ya know, be competent at it. I've swapped out a gas water heater, gas range, and gas clothes dryer, all of which have been in service for years now, and haven't blown up yet.
(That said, at this point I would recommend transitioning away from natural gas if you can, by installing heat pump or induction electric appliances instead. Better indoor air quality, better efficiency/sustainability, enabling the possibility of completely eliminating a gas bill including the fixed base charge for pipe maintenance, enabling the possibility of eventually running the whole house on solar, etc.)
Idk what powder you’re talking about for ants, but the borax gel works amazingly well and isn’t toxic.