Ants on the Corn

Ants on the Corn, originally uploaded by ancawonka.

I didn't have any corn around, but I have noticed ants in my domicile for the first time since moving to Japan. Our old apartment was on the 6th floor - I am guessing that's too damned far to stretch the supply line for ant peons. Now that we have a house on ground level, I'm noticing all kinds of pests: ants around the perimeter sometimes break into our home, especially through the screens in the back where the laundry and bath areas are kept open frequently. "Hey! There's NO FOOD here, ant-doods."

We've also got at least one wild neighborhood cat that thinks it owns the area under my deck, and frequently poops in the yard. I thought animals didn't poop where they sleep? I'm going to have to *dissuade* it somehow; cat fur is an allergen to at least half my family. Suggestions?