Not all ants like the same thing. Some go for protein, some for sweet. So the attractant of peanut butter or cooked egg yolk mashed up with honey or jelly with a liberal ( but not too liberal) dash of borax WILL work.
If they don't take the mixture - mine is put out on slips of cardstock- then you may have been too generous on the borax. Pick it up and mix up another batch.
Place this fine repast nearest where they are coming in or on the nest. Expect the problem to get worse. A Lot worse. Before it gets better. They will take it back to the queen, after they have eaten their fill. Could be a couple days.
Now when you see scouts exploring away from the obvious goodies, resist the temptation to squish them. Instead gently but firmly brush them back to discover the treasure. Think of each one as potentially the little detonation device that just might feed the queen.
Then you'll suddenly notice one day that they are gone. Just gone. And you pick up the leftovers and you pat yourself on the back.. you won!
If you have cats/dogs that might eat it, you can put out your mixture under a mayonnaise lid propped up a bit by a pencil lying on the floor. Tape the lid and pencil down to keep other pets from accessing it. Ants enjoy fine indoor dining!
