[jjl3rd]

Two pieces of good news here. First carpender ants don't munch down on wood as food. They do remove wet and already rotted wood to create their homes. The 2nd good news is that you have already removed their source of water which was the recently repaired leak. But you have an established nest and those ants will go to great lengths to get water ( I once watched a continious line of them removing water from a glass days after I removed the water supply). This may even account for the new occurances of ants in the downstairs. So for starters restrict all sources of water, watch sink drains as the traps contain lots of water also pet dishes. Sections of flooring subjected to periodic wetting, around windows doors and even places where foot traffic can bring in lots of snow or rain can supply the ants. If they still remain I would beg mom to allow limited surgical spraying. Also boric acid powders are availible that are relativly safe to use as they work by clogging the ants airway and not by poisoning ( at least that what I've been told.) good luck John