I know black ants have a problem with pepper. Trouble is, I don't remember if it's black or red pepper they don't like. ----- Original Message ----- From: John Sherrer To: blindwoodworker@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2012 2:47 PM Subject: [blindwoodworker] Re: Bugs in the shop This is the first year we have had black ants coming into the house, I may try the mint their also. Years ago, I would go to a Mesican store and buy Chinese chalk which would kill all crawling insects, including spiders, but some pest control companies got worried and the FDA made it sale in the US illegal. John From: blindwoodworker-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:blindwoodworker-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Larry Martin Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2012 7:12 PM To: blindwoodworker@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [blindwoodworker] Re: Bugs in the shop Mint grows in almost any light, although, of course, it thrives with more light. On May 26, 2012, at 2:56 PM, John Sherrer wrote: This building is a 12 by 24, and up on cender blocks. It will get full of spider webs, and I would find myself always sticking my hands in them. I did not know about planting mint, but if I have enough sunlight their, it is worth a try. It will grow thick and prevent other weeds. One interesting thing is that in the spring, about three or four years in row, carpentersbees, a queen and drone would try to move into my shop since I had a lot of wood to atract them. These guys are large, but the male does not have a stinger. But he would get in your face trying to get you to leave. But when the day was done, and the door shut, they would die. I would find their bodies and get rid of them. Carpentersbees do not eat wood, just make homes in wood. John From: blindwoodworker-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:blindwoodworker-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Blaine Clark Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2012 11:35 AM To: blindwoodworker@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [blindwoodworker] Re: Bugs in the shop Depending on the location of your shop and your taste in lawn care, _pardon the pun as you read on_ you might consider planting some mint along the sides of your shop. We had those brown ants in our house until I planted some spearmint and peppermint along the edge of the house. No more ants, no more spiders, no crawling bugs at all. Spiders go after food, so there must be some other bugs that are attracting them. If the real problem is flying bugs, well, mint won't work. A plus is you can have mint for drinks & cooking and the smell when the lawn is cut is nothing but great! The bad side is that mint can be overpowering for other low plants and crowd them out, and it can spread into nearby flower beds and the neighbor's lawns, so you have to keep it where it can be controlled by regular mowing or a good border that the mint can't jump over. With regular mowing, it usually won't spread over 3 feet from the bed. Blaine On 05/26/2012 10:05 AM, John Sherrer wrote: I am not sure of the brand, but I bought them at Cosco, about $10 or $15 for a package of 6. John From: blindwoodworker-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:blindwoodworker-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Robert Wilson Sent: Friday, May 25, 2012 2:44 PM To: blindwoodworker@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [blindwoodworker] Re: Bugs in the shop What brand do you use John? Bob On May 24, 2012, at 6:43 PM, John Sherrer wrote: Hi Woodworkers If you have problems with spider webs and other insects in the shop, I recommend those electronic devices that run them off. They work, and they will also run off mice. These devices do not repel the insects, it prevents them from eating, so after a couple of days they will leave. John BlindWoodWorker.com Join our discussion list at: blindwoodworker-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with Subscribe in the subject. Larry Martin woodworkingfortheblind@xxxxxxxxxxx