MrsMcLeroy Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 I opened the lid of the hot tub today and omg. I almost threw up. We moved into a house with a hot tub and before dumping and starting over fresh this has happened one time. We scrubbed it clean, emptied and got all of our chemicals right per the spa store down the street. We’ve only used it once though. Anyway... these maggot looking things are covering every corner under the lid and there are ants just eating away at it. I mean thousands ... I couldn’t believe it. I’m about to get rid of the whole hot tub if I have to keep emptying and treating like this. It’s only been 2 months since we last emptied. What’s causing this?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 My guess is they are ants and ant larvae or eggs. They are likely nesting in your cover or spa insulation, possibly even inside the pipes, and your activity has disturbed their nest so they are moving. It is warm and safe under the cover, so it is a good place to set up camp. If they are in the cover get a new one. If they are in the spa insulation, welcome to the club. You can remove the side panels and spray pesticide into the foam, but that won't really solve anything. Insects, mice, even chipmunks and squirrels love spas for a home. Nice and warm year-round with a convenient water source if it is leaking somewhere. I have seen ants nest inside pipes of spas left empty for a while and blow out of jets for weeks. If they are moving it's because the nest is not useable anymore, maybe from leaks flooding it or chemicals in the water. Remove the sides and see what it looks like. You may have some bigger problems than ants. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratchett Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 Ant's are pretty easy to kill - take out the queen (or queens) and you kill the whole colony in less than a week. I do my own pest control and Ants can be extremely easy to kill - just put some Ant killer bait down near the ants - they'll take the bait back to the queen, a week later problem solved, no colony. Given the volume of ants, I'd likely treat multiple times over a month to ensure the entire colony was dead. Unless they're fire ants, I'd suggest using Borax ant killer - just put a few drops on paper and place it near the ants - and leave them alone for six hours. Within an hour or two all the drops will be gone (assuming they're regular average black ants or sugar ants). There is also some pelleted bait you can put down for other ants like Fire ants - but these don't like like those b@stards lol 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cusser Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 Use an ant nest killer containing hydramethylnon or fipronil - will be shared and kill the entire nest. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
north_of_boston Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 I had ants - got rid of them with Terro spray. Mice/chipmunks/rodents = saw someone selling "Rodent Sheriff" - spray , 2 bottles for $20 (US) - on TV, and I bought it. It turns out, all it is , is peppermint oil. I don't know if it attracts ants but for some reason it makes rodents nauseous and they run away from it. And peppermint oil is safe for (non-rodent) pets and kids. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 Same peppermint oil in plant-based flea and tick spray. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.