So, I live in South Florida and just bought a house that was a foreclosure and hasn’t had any pest control for years.

Outside I have TONS of happy, healthy, black ants making massive trails. I don’t see ANY dead ones outside.

Inside however is another story. It seems like as soon as they enter the house they are dead. Right at the doggie door, along baseboards–immediately at entry ways they pile up dead.

I’m wondering if it could be a ‘Canary in the cole mine’ kind of thing. I have two children living in the house, the youngest is only six and I’m afraid that there may be something causing the ants to die that could also harm us.

I have NO idea where to even begin looking! I plan on buying a CO alarm but I doubt that the issue could be large enough to make it go off, if it even were CO.

Has anyone else ever dealt with this? I tried to research it but none of the answers I found seem to fit. I realize it could be a nest of carpenter ants but it just makes no sense that they would ALL die as soon as they enter the house.

I have used Borax with sugar solution before to get rid of colony’s but I haven’t been doing so in this house because the buggers are dyin’ on me as soon as they cross the threshold of the house–so, no need! Seriously though, as soon as I know why they are dying I will put out the Borax solution but I didn’t want to do so before I knew the primary reason they are dying.

Any advice, peace of mind or ideas about where to begin are welcome. I starting to freak out a little! We had some serious rain recently which always brings tons more ants inside but at this house they die right away.

Moving isn’t an option but I can take the children away for a few days/weeks while the issue is diagnosed and addressed if anyone feels it could be that serious/dangerous.

help!?!?!