Animal kingdom home invasion

22 Years Battling Ants in Humid Climate Cinnamon is a top contender

Over the years, I’ve settled into a simple, low-toxicity approach to ant control.
Living in a humid climate forced a few refinements—and those made all the difference.

Dish Soap: Still the Fastest Knockdown

Diluted dish soap remains the most reliable way to deal with nests and heavy activity. It breaks down the ants’ outer layer and wipes out their scent trails on contact.

Best use:
Direct application where ants are concentrated.

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Vinegar: Quiet, Long-Lasting Deterrent

A spray bottle of vinegar has become part of regular cleaning—and it does more than just clean.

What I’ve observed:

• After wiping surfaces with vinegar, ants tend to stay away for days.
• It likely works by disrupting the pheromone trails they depend on.

Best use:

• Countertops, entry points, and along known trails.
• Especially useful as a preventative step after cleaning.

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Talc (Baby Powder): Works—But Needs Maintenance

Talc is effective when dry and loose, but humidity changes its behavior.

Limitation:

• It absorbs moisture (hydrophilic), hardens, and becomes ineffective.
• Once compacted, ants walk over it without hesitation.

Fix:

• Loosen it with a bristle broom to restore its fine texture.
• Reapply if needed, but often a quick break-up is enough.

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Cinnamon Powder: The Upgrade

Cinnamon powder has proven to be a better long-term trail deterrent, particularly in humid conditions.

Why it stands out:

• It irritates ants and disrupts their behavior—likely affecting their sensory system.
• It’s non-toxic and kitchen-safe.
• It repels water (hydrophobic), so it stays effective even in damp air.

How I use it:

• Lightly sprinkle along ant trails, cracks, and entry points.
• Works well where talc would normally fail due to moisture.

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Practical Comparison

• Dish soap: Immediate elimination at the source
• Vinegar: Residual trail disruption after cleaning
• Talc: Effective but humidity-sensitive (needs upkeep)
• Cinnamon: Humidity-resistant, low-toxicity, strong deterrent

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Final Thoughts

Cinnamon, in particular, has earned its place as a reliable upgrade in my toolkit.

before cinnamon

Home improvement

East walkway cover lasted 20 years.

The amount of dirt on the roof is an indication how dirty the air can get. The fabric which provides shade can collect plenty dust.

  The main problem with plastic roofing is birds. They seem to peck on plastic as if they were seeing worms.

Next step is to remove and replace the roofing.  I'll be using tin.  Expect it will take a few weekends. 
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Electric cost and solar option

With my life expectancy in mind (I am 80) a complete solar electric system would not financially repay for itself in consumption.

So I am studying up on solar powered air conditioners and if it's financially feasible.

According to my  electric usage chart, during the few cooler months of the year, maximum bill is under 1,000฿.  Anything above that is cost going toward cooling. During a year that could average 15,000฿. 

Of course as far as solar air conditioning products are concerned, you have to sort through the junk and find something cost efficient. Also looking at DC systems used mostly for mobile homes, on boats and camping

April, May, June, and July appear to be the hottest months 

 

-	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
2004	-	956.29	2,628.48	3,113.95	3,556.25	3,326.11	-	-	-	-	-	-
2005		-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	3,664.81	-	1,634.74
2006	-	-	-	2,880.40	-	-	2,713.45	-	2,299.28	-	-	-
2015	2,115.25	-	-	-	-	-	3,759.07	2,696.76	2,802.77	2,699.19	3,138.44	2,462.14
2016	1,630.86	1,713.2	2,443.26	5,017.17	5,574.15	4,734.15	-	-	-	-	-	-
2017	1,359.03	1,165.49	2,212.16	3,663.47	4,024.25	4,122.5	3,787.5	794.66	2,914.25	3,338.5	1,847.00	1,075.75
2018	1,167.00	984.55	1,597.5	1,705	2,987.33	2,084.25	2,056.86	1,432.28	2,116.25	2,777.50	-	-
2019	1,088.50	1,088.41	2,29.75	3,402.00	3,236.00	2,715.50	3,351.20	2,494.29	1,946.03	2,217.86	1,496.97	-
2020	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	1,020.22	*
2021	2,037.00	*	1,099.25	981.73	*	*	*	1,409.81	*	*	*	*
2022	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	1,807.63	*	1,533.38	*	1,459
2023	1,376.25	807.00	*	3,544.05	3,990.60	3,197.34	3,163.09	1,990.45	2,333.74	1,641.25	1,717.34	1,073.25
2024		1,025.94	1,773.00	3,022.75	4,296,25	*	2,037.75	*	*	2,058.50	1,857.25	1,215.75
2025	896.35	846.57	1,480.67	1,921.75	2,774.61	2,586.75	*	3,626.34	2,508.75	2,525.23	*	*

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Planning to add more security cameras, as it turns out to be inexpensive and essential

Had a security camera installed a number of years ago. 

Had a few thefts and also unfounded rumors of wild goings on.  

This one is IMOU brand, it's hot wired into the electrical system, large capacity memory card, and accessible from anywhere through the cloud.

While I am at home the motion sensor notification is deactivated, my dog Lucy is enough of a motion sensor. 

A few months back I was missing some money I had laying around inside my house.  By checking the camera log I was able to determine that the culprit was a woman and a young accomplice.

I am now researching other brand name systems, as this is a double lot with multiple entrancesสกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

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Ant Wars

	The hot weather seemed to have increased the number of ants seeking refuge in my house. Vinegar (diluted or not) is a great cleaner and deterrent. Ants don't like the smell.

Add a few drops of dish soap and you have an ant terminator.

It's ideal for use in the kitchen where you really want to avoid using hazardous pesticides
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Mango Vodka Marinate

Five mangoes finely chopped, similar to plastic container.  

Add over half bottle of vodka.  Available jars don't seem to be airtight.  

Had to add three layers of backing paper to obtain leakproof seal.

Usually leave these to marinate till Christmas and New Year.

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Too many 🐱 cats in my neighborhood

You can hear catfights multiple times during a day and a night. 

If not fights then catscreams. 

Driving down a 300 yard roadway I counted four cats running for cover in front of my motorcycle. 

There's a lot of households with cats, more than one per household, including a few litters. JUST WAY TOO MANY. 

A while back I had to have my neighbors litter removed from my gutters. Quite often I get wakend by cats jumping on my metal awnings

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Shrimp harvesting in the rice fields 🦐🌾🌾Thailand Sakonnakhon Ep:7

Red Ant battle

Recently had two smaller mango trees chopped down to make room for solar panels. 

Discovered a huge red ant infestation. 

Planning on chopping down another smaller mango tree and am considering the value of the large mango tree. At a minimum I expect to drastically trim it. 

While trimming I discovered a large red and nest, sprayed it with 'dish soap water' and hosed it for quite a while. 

Red ant bites don't seem to irritate me so much anymore, have gotten almost immune. 

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Bamboo spider mite / mealybugs

I like bamboo soup. Therefore I had bamboo in my garden. That lasted a few years till I got rid of all. They tend to multiply and take over an area quickly. 

I use bamboo trays to sundry tea and fruit. 

This tray seems to have come with mites. Used bug spray, and talc powder, none of it gets rid of these bugs.  Dish soap in a sprayer seems to work wonders

These mites tend to work around talc powder and leave behind bamboo powder

. .

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Mango bumper crop

Planted a mango tree about seven years ago. The first year I had less than ten mangoes. Each year that number increased. I added three more trees three years ago.

This year I am experiencing a bumper crop.

Last year I made frozen popsicles which kept me supplied for a few months. 

This year all the popsicle molds are filled and I have already a dozen containers with mangoes blended with a small amount of vodka.  I'm using vodka to kill any bacteria

Burying the scrap in holes under the tree, hoping that it will act as nutrition for next year's crop.

Been experimenting various recipes from ice cream, gelatin, curries and even cocktails.

Mango season is in full swing

Have to keep an eye on visitors and limit their take home bounty, many seem to think it's s free for all.

I peel them on a daily basis (except during my recent illness) and throw them in a blender.  I use a minute amount of vodka for cleaning purposes.  It tends to evaporate during freezing.

Recently replaced a freezer which I suspect will be 50% frozen mango.  I eat a few popsicles daily

The health benefits of mango | BBC Good Food
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Swamp Coolers

My opinion: Waste of money in humid climate. Swamp coolers are most effective in dry climates, and do little in high humidity. Also known as evaporative coolers, they have a tray which is filled with water. The fan is smaller than a wall exhaust fan and produces less wind than a standard 12" fan. 

🔴 Insure water does not drip on electrical motor compartment

  More effective is placing a moist cloth over a regular fan. Caution and common sense must be used to avoid dripping water in the fan motor.   

Isan Potato Cool Season Harvest

The cool season in Isan allows growing some vegetables which are not native to the area, nor would they survive through Thailand's hot and rainy season.

The cool season normally runs from November thru February

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Amazing Bamboo Processing Machines - Tools, Factories and Modern Technol...

Usually very reasonably, and often free

Of course we all know this. Canopies, chairs, tables and dishes are available for use from local governmentsสกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

This has been a test of preparedness during power outages

Since the main electric line on ITU was replaced a few years back, outages have been very limited and short lasting.  This outage lasted until 7 pm. I had my internet revived in a few minutes during the outage. Portable fans and lights in every room.

On the computer I switched to a browser which uses less energy. Chrome has a notorious reputation of sucking up electricity.  

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Vinegar as a repellant

Been taking a swig every morning for the past two weeks. 

Occasionally see some buzzing around, but they seem to keep their distance

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Vinegar sprayed on spiders instantly solves that problem, no hazardous exterminator chemicals needed

Experimenting with vinegar in a variety of uses. 

Already discovered it's great in removing soap scum on shower walls. Cleaning the bathroom with vinegar seems to keep all forms of insects out of the entire room

   

For windows, tv and computer screens its better than most other commercial products. It's a great degreaser in the kitchen

It's a great mosquito and bug repellant.  If you don't want to smell like a vinaigrette add a drop or two of essential oils 

After my morning coffee I drink a shot of apple cider vinegar. The verdict is still out on any health benefits I might be experiencing.