The Ants Go Marching Two By Two

Our house is being invaded by ants!

They first made their appearance in the hall closet downstairs(where we keep our shoes and wrapping paper), then in the living room near the fireplace.  Since then, they’ve been spotted in the kitchen, our bedroom closet, the master bedroom, the stairs, the powder room, the living room windowsill right above the couch, The Littlest Apple’s closet, The Littlest Apple’s bedroom, and The Littlest Apple’s bathroom.  One of the places the ants have yet to be seen?  The pantry.  You know, where all the food is.  I’m fairly certain I just jinxed myself by saying that.

I despise ants.  I dislike them even more than spiders.  They are so persistent and invasive and just everywhere!  We’ve got an exterminator coming out on Tuesday, but until then, its me vs. the ants.  Right now, the ants are winning.  I’ve got sprays, baits, etc, but it has been making me completely crazy going from room to room looking for ants.  I’ve been wearing shoes all around the house when I’m normally a “shoes off as soon as I walk in the door” person.  The contents of our closet (of course they had to be on my side of the closet, not the hubby’s) are currently in the middle of our bathroom.   I’ve been sweeping and vacuuming most rooms daily when I’m normally sweep and vacuum once a week.   Tomorrow I’ve got to empty out The Littlest Apple’s closet.

I can’t help but feel embarrassed about the ants.  In fact, I almost didn’t blog about it.  We had art playgroup the other day, and I almost cancelled.  How could I welcome children and their parents into our home if there were going to be ants everywhere?!  Luckily(?) that was the day the ants chose to play in my closet and bedroom, so they stayed away from the art group action.  I know that I’m not the only person around here having ant issues.  I’ve heard from friends and family who’ve been battling the ants lately, and the exterminator said it’s a huge problem right now.  It has been rainy for several days, and now it is in the upper 80s.  And there are lots of bugs in Texas, that’s just how it is here.  But I still can’t help but feel that the ants are here in full force because I’m a little messy and my house isn’t spotless.  If only I spent a little more time cleaning and a little less time blogging…(which is exactly what I HAVE been doing this week).

And let’s not forget how The Littlest Apple fits in to this.  I’ve been using “child friendly” sprays and other homemade remedies, but he’s still right in the middle of all of it.  I’m cringing constantly as he rolls around on the living room playing with his trucks, climbing the stairs, worrying about the ants biting him.  So far, they don’t seem to bother him.  But still, just the thought of these little pests crawling around where my son is playing creeps me out big time.

I’ve been completely stressed out the last few days as a result of the ant invasion.  I’m constantly on edge, wondering where the ants will make their unwelcome appearance next.  Shoulders and neck full of tension, stomach in knots.  Thankfully, today The Littlest Apple was in Mothers’ Day Out, and I went shopping with my mom.  It was nice to get out of the house.  Tomorrow we’re escaping to visit all of the grandparents for the day just to get out of the house again.

This is my home, and I should feel comfortable here.  Instead, I just want to run away screaming!

Tuesday can’t come fast enough.