Sunday, May 29, 2022

Pantry and Ants

It’s not often that home projects are life-changing.

As I’ve written earlier, my so-called pantry has been on shelves in the basement for years, thanks to limited condo space. I’m happy to say that’s a thing of the past. It took the entire day – learning curve, unexpected wall stud, crummy materials, going out to buy better materials, sudden visitors (see previous post) – but I now only need to take three steps from the kitchen to nearby closet to find some pasta for dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

          A door frame of only 15” wide was a challenge, too, for some shoulders.

 


 

 

 

Hips were not much better, but I did manage to pack myself into the closet to drill holes and attach supports.

  

 

 

 

 


     

 

 

   And ta da!

   

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

       Then there’s the ongoing war with me, the ants, and the hummingbird feeder.

       Twice now I’ve had to empty the feeder of legions of backstroking ants who somehow figured out how to climb the pole and get inside. Even worse, most of them ultimately died, with their bodies floating in the sugar water and staining the very-difficult-to-clean bottle.

         

 

 My latest strategy is to Vaseline the pole, tape the pole, fold the tape to create a barrier, then Vaseline the pole some more. We’ll see. They're probably already in their nest, sketching out attack plans.

 

14 comments:

  1. Well done on the pantry front. And good luck on discouraging the small invaders. Other than mass anti-cide I have yet to find anything that works.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, tomorrow may mean a trip to the hardware store for anti-ant stuff.

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  2. I love your french braid, I have always thought that was the best hair thing ever, and could never do it with my two strands of cob web hair. Whatever you do to the pole they will figure it out, you realize...

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  3. My ant spray is a mixture of vinegar and lemon juice. Safe for other wildlife, not poison for the earth. When small animals and children aren't involved, I mix in borax. It keeps them more or less at bay.

    Great job on the new pantry. Will there be a ribbon cutting?

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    Replies
    1. Good to know - I'd much rather use your concoction than poison.
      Forget the ribbon cutting. I've needed this so long there's likely to be a brass band and a plaque.

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  4. The pantry is a victory. maybe the ants will be too.

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  5. Nice pantry. And good luck with the ants.

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  6. Watch out when they start ordering mini drones from Amazon.(the ants) Your new pantry looks very nice.

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  7. Nice Work There - And Will Be Interested In How The Slimy Pole Holds True - Enjoy The Week Ahead

    Cheers

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  8. Ants -- you gotta admire the industriousness!

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  9. What a lovely pantry! You two do nice work. Good luck with the ants. Our yard is FULL of them, and we're resorting to poison since I swell up to an astonishing degree when bitten.

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