First off, no these aren't mine. This image comes from Purdue University's Entomology Department.

A few years ago, a friend who lives in the same neighborhood as I asked if I was having an ant problem. My reaction was something similar to full blown hives and an itchy throat. You'll more likely find me with a snake in my hand than me having anything to do with ants. My phobia is for good reason, or at least to me it is. When I was a small child, I stepped into a fire ant hill. It's one of those memories that you're not to sure you recall correctly. Kind of hazy, but when I see ants on a frenzy with human flesh on National Geographic, my memories are all too real.

So, when people talk about ants invading their homes, I shiver, and then thank God it's not mine. That was until about a two weeks ago. At first there were just a few on the shower wall. Now there are hundreds, if not, thousands of those little buggers.

There is no humane way of getting rid of them. It's me or them, and I can't afford to move at this moment. At my mother's advice, I sprinkled boric acid in their trail hoping they'd soon disappear. They did for about a day. I'm obsessive about doing dishes, nothing is allowed to be left unrinsed in the sink. I spray Lysol kitchen cleaner down on the counters, hoping it will deter the nuisance. But they keep coming back. Today I bought ant traps. Prayerfully, between the boric acid, the Lysol, and the traps they'll disappear. If they don't, I might have to pitch up tent in the back yard.

And before you say it, yes I know there is a lot to be learned from carpenter ants.