Land line, satellite, Internet card or cell phone connection – which is the best way to get higher speed Internet service?

Come to hear discussion on this topic Monday, April 20, at the Extension Building. The session is from 1-3 p.m. for a fee of only $5.00. Call 439-3178 first thing on Monday if you would like to participate. Anyone is welcome!

Living Single in a Couples World

Today more people are living alone. It is most noticeable among older persons, especially women.

A large percentage of these people are widowed, but there are a growing number of older women who are divorced. For those who have lived as a couple for a number of years and suddenly find themselves single, it can be a difficult time to make the adjustment. This program will discuss overcoming loneliness, making new friends, and learning to enjoy life as a single person.

It is set for Wednesday, April 29, at 10:00 a.m. in the Extension Building. Milly Kaieser, Extension family life educator, will present the program. Any interested person is welcome to attend.

Are Ants Invading Your Home?

This is the time of year when ants are foraging around for food, and they will even come into your house looking for a meal. Ants can be red, brown or black, and their size from 1/16 inch to 1 inch in length.

David Robson, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator, says that just about all ants can cause nuisance problems indoors. But, a couple of ants in the house is not an invasion. Ants are social insects that live in colonies, usually located outdoors in the soil. Occasionally, colonies are found under concrete slabs and in crawl spaces of homes.

Every colony is composed of a queen that lays eggs and worker ants that leave the colony in search of food for the queen and developing larvae. Ants feed on various materials, depending on the species. They'll feed on seeds, insects, bread, sugars and oils. Some species can be found near aphid populations, feeding on their honeydew excretion.

"If you want to control the ants, find the colony and drench the nest with a recommended product," suggests Robson. "Pouring boiling water on the nest will work to some degree, but you run the risk of damaging nearby plants."

To prevent ants from coming indoors, spray a 3-foot barrier of insecticide on the soil and 3 feet up the wall around the foundation of the house. This barrier will repel the ants as they try to enter the house. As always, read and follow all label directions when using pesticides.

For indoor control, Robson says repellents and baits can be used. Read and follow directions on the products. Some of these products may be hazardous to pets, so make sure your pets are kept away from the treated area.

Sanitation is also important. Wipe down the kitchen counters and stove. Sweep and mop floors. Frequently run hot water down the sink, especially after using the garbage disposal. And finally, remove trash on a regular basis, daily if possible.

For a free fact sheet on ant control, visit the SI Gardening website, http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/regions/hort.

Baits are the most effective control method for ant control. Essential characteristics of a good baiting system are a food source that attracts the ants and a slow-acting, non-repellent insecticide such as fipronil or hydramethylnon. For best results, place baits along the wall and in the path of ant trails. Change the bait every couple of weeks to keep the food attractant fresh.