One other thing that I also noticed on arriving in California was the ants. They were nothing like the ants I was used to. No, these little ants are mighty! Now I know they are Argentine Ants; indomitable.
So, what doeth the mild buddha-people, who hath vowed not to kill any sentient being? This is an evolving science. The goals are to cut off their point of ingress, remove the food or water they want, then move the remaining ants outside before they starve or die of thirst.
What I do with a major incursion is to clean the area as best I can, which is usually centered around a kitchen or bathrooms sink, then draw a line around the area to protect it. As paint, one uses cinnamon oil--a little cinnamon in some oil. Then take a little brush--like the kind you have around to make tormas-- and paint a continuous circle around the sink or whatever.As you can see in the above photo, they are completely stymied by this line. And also, find the opening they came into the room from, blow on it so that they move for a moment, then paint the opening so they clear out of this area. Then, I move the ants. Smaller quantities of ants can be moved by scooting them onto a piece of paper, or gently dragging a tissue over them (they grab on), or sucking them up with an official bug mover or--as a last resort--a little hand vac. After the general situation is controlled like that, it is time to seal up the point of ingress with sealant.
What I am calling "the official bug mover" is a vacuum device carried by Tibetan Treasures (inquire) that harmlessly sucks them up so they can be taken outside. The hand vacs kill a few, most will live and be fine.
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