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Bugs bug me
Ning
You tell me idk New
If I'm not supposed to harm other living beings, what should I do if there's an ant infestation at my house ๐
I'm serious please help me ๐ญ
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I've had hornets nests and I had them killed because they were a danger. Farming vegetables lots of insects are killed. I think you just prevent them coming in the future after you get rid of the infestation. And yes it's possible I'll return to birth as a hornet, but samsara is imperfect by definition
I usually am successful with just keeping my place clean, not giving them thing to eat. Leaving the spiders alone in the corners outsources the killing to a degree too.
An honest infestation is difficult though. I've heard stories of the lengths monastics will go to when they have bug problems in their monasteries. At some point though it does become necessary to take more severe action. In those situations you can mitigate the karma through keeping as positive of an intention as possible and doing some purifying practices afterwards.
Itโs a tricky problemโฆ in the past Iโve put my Buddhism on temporary hold in order to had exterminations done, and then make reparations by leaving a cake in the forest for the ants there to eat.
I heard the story of a US-based Zen monastery that had a bug infestation. First, they tried eveything they could think of to remove them nonviolently. Then, they sent a letter to their seniors in Japan seeking advice. The seniors advised to extermimate the bugs since the health and hygiene of visitors takes precedence in this case.
You asking the question shows that you are rightly thinking of the ants as important and that you've likely already tried various nonviolent remedies.
A practical idea for your possible consideration:
If ants they can be guided to new sites with trails leading to their favourite food. I use tiger balm smeared trails.
Wasps and bee I have a particular affinity with and place gumdrops or plant flowers for the bee visitors.
You can also try talking to them or moving them on an individual basis...
I tried always to stick to humane methods but nevertheless I am faced with a little killing.
I think your intentions are good, your thoughts are wholesome but unfortunately life implies death. To live we need to kill certain beings even if we do not desire to do so. Poor ants, but also poor you. I don't think living in a house infested with ants will bring much good to you.
We are their karma as they are ours ...
Their deaths by our hands is karma shared.
Intent plays a significant role in karmic consequences.
Ask yourself: are you acting out of anger, hatred, or ill will?
Or do you view this as a necessary harm, where the outcome may be the lesser of two evils?
In the end, it is your own conscience you must answer to.
For ants you can spray the area with vinegar. This masks their scent trails so they can't navigate.
On the downside youโll have a house smelling of vinegar, which also may not be ideal ๐
A humane, non-toxic approach to controlling ant infestations:
Start by placing a small amount of bait that the ants are attracted to. Observe their movement and follow their trail back to the point of entry. Gradually move the bait closer to this entry point over time.
Once the ants are consistently taking the bait near their entry point, wait for a lull in activity. At that stage, apply a thin smear of Vaseline over the entry point. This creates a temporary barrier that ants are unable to cross easily. If there are multiple entry points, repeat the process for each one.
This method encourages the ants to relocate and seek food elsewhere, rather than eliminating the colony.
If needed, for ants already inside, a simple spray can be made using hot water with a small drop of washing-up liquid. Shake well and spray directly onto the ants. The solution breaks down their protective outer coating and kills them quickly. It leaves no toxic residue and also helps clean the surface.
This is a temporary measure, however it can in some instances deter them for long periods of time.
@Ning We're in this together! ๐
Serendipiously, my mother tasked me with resolving her ant infestation. Apparently, they are coming from cracks in the bathtub (not the pipes).
She explicitly said: 'wash them away with water, none of that Buddhist stuff!' She is quick to anger and was off for an operation so I did not say that I'm not going to comply with her request, nor that that method would not actually resolve anything.
The plan is:
I wanted to learn more of the handyman stuff, since I know nearly nothing about it, here is my chance.
Tips for plugging cracks of a bathtub welcome. There's gotta be some 'gel' to do it?
Ants don't like patchouli oil
https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/gardening/ants-can-stopped-entering-your-37021909