Anti-ant bowl recs

[Deleted]

Has anyone here had any success keeping ants out of outdoor bowls of cat food? I can't believe the little buggers have arrived in full force so soon.
The more product reviews I read the more I can't decide.
Little Xena just added three new additions to the mix so there will be more cats spending more time out on the catio and i am tired of tossing ant laden food out
Thanks! =^^=

[val2525]

www.mom4real.com/how-to-keep-ants-out-of-pet-food-with-no-chemicals/

thecatsite.com/threads/keeping-ants-out-of-the-outdoor-food-bowl.345333/

blog.petplus.com/pet-tips/4-natural-ways-keep-ants-pets-food/#

I used to wipe down the area around the catfood bowls with Sol-U-Mel, from Melaleuca (has tea tree oil in it). The ants did not like it. I also wiped down countertops with it. Ants were bad inside in FL and NM.

Be careful with essential oils of any kind though (including the peppermint) because some cats can't tolerate them.

[kritter]

I fight a brave battle every summer with ants but end up just putting the food bowl with the ants in the freezer and freeze the lil bastards.

I tried chalk once but it doesn't work.

[Deleted]

I feed a group of ferals and use food grade diatomaceous earth around their bowls and boxes. The sharp edges of the silica shred the underbellies of insects so they can’t pass. They will dry out and die.. I also sprinkle it on their bedding and it keeps them from getting fleas. If you put a very small amount in their food, it helps with parasites. I assume they get enough from their grooming, so I don’t add it to their food.
You will have to replace it when it rains, but otherwise it does a great job. I buy mine in bulk from AZ. Make sure it’s food grade and NOT the DE for pool filters.