That happened to me this spring, only DH noticed the the 'invasion' first thing in the morning, and they hadn't gotten too far (just all over the outside bathroom wall and window).

I went in with the vacuum and used the wand to collect all the little soldiers--it was the fastest way to catch them all, before they got too far. Sealed the vacuum bag in a trash bag immediately, and then put the ant baits on the windowsill. That was about a month ago, and I've seen only maybe half a dozen since.

If you can scoop up the ones in the cottage, and find where they're coming in, so you can wash around there, and set out the bait, I think you'll get a handle on it pretty soon. I've also sealed small cracks in my tile sunporch floor (other years when I've seen them crawling through there) with Duco cement--it's clear and seems to do the job.

Good luck, I know what you're going through, and it's no picnic (not for us, maybe for the ants!)

Thanks so much Azzalea for your reply. Haven't used the vacuum cleaner, but have had yet another exterminator come in who sprayed all around the exterior and inside the garage where he found 2 nests. That was 3 days ago, and they seem to have gone down a bit, but of course there's no one staying in the cottage right now so no food around. They're still some in the bathtub, so we'll call him back. Unfortunately we can't find exactly where they're coming in. So, onward and upward.

Barbb

It is spring.

Ant have to live also.

You can try spraying outside around the perimeter of the house.

IIRC pyrethrum works well for this type of barrier use.

Thanks Brickeyee for your reply. Yes, as far as their eating, we've made sure they had a good last meal. We just had the cottage sprayed twice, and it seems to have worked. The ants are almost gone, at least for now.

Barbb

sprinkle boric acid completely around the exterior of the house in addition to the bait traps used in the ineterior

Thanks millworkman for your suggestion. That's good to know. The update is we had another professional come by and spray the exterior twice in a week, and that along with the traps have driven them away---or at least for the time being. I'll keep your suggestion in mind just in case in the problem returns.

Barbb

Roach Proof mixed with honey makes a great bait for ants, if they are sweet eaters. Only trial and error will let you know whether the ants you have eat sweets or not.

I put this mixture in a lid on the floor next to the ant trail. At first the lid was full of ants, next day none in the lid and only a few around on the floor. It has been a few days and there is no sign of ants now.

Great idea Kissie, thanks. So far so good on my last spraying and no one has complained to seeing any for about 10 days now. I'll certainly try this recipe if or when it happens again.

Barbb