My apartment is under attack. I've got ants. I hate that I have to write this.

The ants showed up in June. I scrubbed my apartment from top to bottom. Still they came. Even though I had no idea what they were finding to eat.

I searched online for an at home remedy for ants. I whipped up a batch of bleach and sugar. Ants are supposed to like the sugar eat it and then die. It worked. I had lots of dead ants. Great.

Then I went on my trip through the Balkans.  Came home. There were a few ants roaming my apartment.

This time I watched them. I needed to know where they were coming from. Turns out it's a gap between my wall and my second floor balcony.  Apparently the ants are really digging this gap. I am not. Not at all.<!--more-->

I decide to get serious. I don't want ants in my apartment. Even though I don't like chemicals in my apartment, I buy ant powder and apply it generously to the ant entry point. Interestingly this is about the time I find out my next-door neighbor G. is also fighting ants. Hum, it's not just me.

I am happy to learn this.

Only I don't have a chance to monitor my ant battle because I've got to fly back to the States for a month. Upon on my return I put my bags down, have a glass of water and turn on my computer and look for ants.  There aren't any at their traditional entry point. But I spot one or two listlessly wandering around my apartment. <em>Ah</em>.

These ants are going to drive me crazy!

Enter my newest obsession: killing ants.

Again I follow their loopy routes around my apartment. I know that they aren't finding much if any food in my apartment so I just need to figure out where they are going and where they've been.  This way I can cut off their entry and exit routes. I mean business.

Ant powder in hand, I apply it carefully but liberally.  I do not want ants in my house. I clean, sweep and mop my apartment once again. My house is not their house. I want them out.

I am determined.

Only last night right before bed, I spot half a dozen more ants in my apartment. Ack. I ruthlessly smash them without even considering where they've come from or where they're going. I will win.

In bed, my last thought before sliding into sleep was this: <em>at least I am not fighting large mutant ants</em>. That would be worse. Much worse.

I guess that's a little victory.