Tampa Bay Catering

Milestone Celebrations

2012-01-08T10:33:00.002-05:00

Our recent beach themed birthday catering was an exciting event to be a part of.

This was a wonderful surprise that family members put together for a 60th birthday party for a resident of the Sun Bay Condo Complex in South Pasadena, Florida. Family from California to New England organized this special celebration by contacting us to create their appetizer menu and bar.

Hors d' Oeuvre Menu

Sweet & Sour Meatballs
Jerk Pork Skewers with Island Curry Sauce
Grilled Chicken Skewers
Smoked Salmon Canapés
Caprese Salad Skewers
Artichoke Pops

Smoked Salmon Canapés & Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Artichoke Pops

Caprese Salad Skewers

Jerk Pork Skewers with Island Curry Sauce & Chicken Skewers

Assembling our Smoked Salmon Canapés onsite

Bud Light Kegerator and Mini Bar

Full Service Mini Liquor Bar

Smirnoff Vodka
Beefeater Gin
Captain Morgan Rum
Seagram’s VO Blended Whisky
Mixers
Juices
Garnishes
Kegerator - Budweiser Light
House Red & White Wine

Beach Party with hats and glasses for fun Photo's

www.Cater-Express.com

Clearwater Community Sailing Center Wedding Buffet

2011-11-11T15:59:00.001-05:00

Every picture tells a story and this picture story starts with a romance that grew and culminated in a wedding that the couple celebrated and shared with their family and friends.

This grand wedding day dinner was at the Clearwater Community Sailing Center - November 5th, 2011.

The bar and buffets were dressed in black and white, with the bridal party bringing stylish flair to the guest tables and the head table with Bohemian Damask fabric accents and Candelabras.

Colorful Carnations complimented our Italian Ruskus greenery on the buffets along with freshly cut herbs displayed with assorted Sea Shells to connect with their Shell Ceremony.

The view from the veranda was as cool as the gentle breeze that kept everyone comfortable while drifting in from the beach to capture a beverage from the bar.

…or help themselves to Coffee, Lime Water or Iced Tea before the buffets opened.

Hosting a casual event included the choice of the bride and groom’s favorite comfort foods; Fresh Vegetable Sauté, Macaroni & Cheese with Applewood Smoked Bacon & Panko Crumb, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy and our Buttermilk Fried Chicken.

We served our Fried Chicken with wings and split breasts and the drummies and thighs separated and labeled so that guests would have the choice of white or dark meat. Myself, I love dark meat the most - and with this style service everyone had the ability to choose their preference.

Our next station buffet offered Spring Salad Greens garnished with Orange and Red Grape Tomatoes and flower-cut Carrots served with our popular Ranch Dressing and Italian Vinaigrette.

French Dips with Au Jus were not to be bested by our Bakery Fresh Yeast Rolls with Whipped Butter or our prized Whipped Garlic Butter.

A happily-ever-after dessert ending to this meal was topped most fittingly with the most charming cake toppers of all!

Thank you, Angie & Paul

~ Kat, Mary Jo & all of us at Cater Express

The End

www.Cater-Express.com

Chicken Rojito - Our new signature chicken dish

2011-09-15T09:57:00.000-04:00

One of our most popular requests for a chicken dish is Chicken Marsala. There are many wonderful elements of Chicken Marsala that make it such a winner. After searing boneless, skinless chicken breasts, they are simmered in a wine sauce, keeping them moist and tender until service.

What if you are not sure if your guests care for mushrooms or onions as they are an integral part of a traditional Marsala sauce?

We set out to create a dish as an alternative to Chicken Marsala, and I believe we came up with one that is equally as delicious, yet offers a completely different flavor profile. Our Chicken Rojito is prepared with the same technique as Chicken Marsala is - a quick sear of boneless, skinless chicken breast simmered in our new sauce:
Chicken Rojito: Tomato-Sherry Cream Sauce & Chicken crowned with Spanish Olives & Queso Blanco

Chicken Rojito with Saffron Yellow Rice is our favorite dish, yet it pares well with Potatoes or Pasta.

www.Cater-Express.com

St. Petersburg Woman's Club, a picturesque St. Pete Venue

2011-04-23T16:13:00.003-04:00

The St. Petersburg Woman's Club is an elegant wedding reception venue that has the special charm of being a National Historic Landmark (built 1929) and a waterfront location to add even more ambiance for any social gathering in the St. Petersburg, Florida locality.

Here, Cater Express arrived to cater a wedding with easy access to this grand organization's spacious kitchen to prepare this couples' reception.

The wedding party did a wonderful welcoming display in the entrance to the St. Petersburg Woman's Club hall with floral arrangements and decorations.

St. Petersburg Woman's Club Grand Foyer (above) - SPWC Venue accomodates up to 150 Guests

The wedding party adorned the tearoom with paper wedding lanterns, transforming this hall into a commemorative showcase.

The dance floor is readily available once the wedding ceremony concludes with the chairs moved by groomsman while the wedding party has pictures taken in the front of this quaint waterfront establishment.

Radiance of daylight pours over the newlyweds as they enjoy their first dance together.

This unique wedding menu included Hors d'Oeuvres and Small Plates (a lighter portion of a complete meal) was offered for this family’s guests. The bride’s Small Plate choices included; Roast Beef with Horseradish Crème Fraiche, Cheese Grits and Ham hock Collard Greens.

This exceptionally aromatic menu was very well received – with such comments as, “I have never enjoyed Grits so much before” and “Those were the best Collard Greens ever!” After all guests were served we opened the buffet up to second helpings and the sides were requested as much as the Carved Roast Beef.

This three layer cake was made by Cakes by Carolyn, http://cakesbycarolynn.com a well established St. Petersburg, Florida wedding cake specialty bakery.

Each layer was a separate flavor; Red Velvet, Orange-Pineapple and Vanilla Butter-cream.

We highly recommend Cakes by Carolyn - it was the most moist cake and beautifully decorated wedding cake that beats any store chain by a mile!

http://www.stpetersburgwomansclub.org/
40 Snell Isle Boulevard Northeast St. Petersburg, FL 33704-3658(727) 822-4982

http://www.cater-express.com/

Dining Outdoors in Florida

2011-04-10T13:53:00.001-04:00

Springtime in Florida is wonderful timing to have a party outside in the sunshine, enjoying the warmth of the day and celebrating special moments with friends.

This tropical buffet was set in a lovely garden. The tall vases and table garnishes full of tropical accents from the garden complimented this setting perfectly.

Celebrations outdoors welcomes in the best atmospheres for guests to take pleasure in our Floridian landscape.

Refreshments for this service included our Kegerator beer service, Red & White Wine and our Lime-Water together with our warmed Chips & trio of Salsa’s.

Buffets allow your guests to select foods that they enjoy. Having more than one Entrée, Starch, Vegetable or Salad will offer your guests the ability to choose more to their personal preferences.

Outdoor weddings in Florida are especially nice in the Spring (March, April and May) and Autumn (September, October and November).

Florida Beach Weddings are ideal for outside food service. This Springtime wedding was celebrated upon a beach rental home’s veranda overlooking the Gulf of Mexico in Clearwater Beach, Fl.

Dining outdoors has so many ambiances to enhance celebrations welcoming natural beauty to compliment your occasion.

Evening reception’s with open-air surroundings bring the additional element of enhanced lighting with tiki torches on the borders of the dining area and stringed lights along the tablescape.

Filet Mignon served medium-rare with our Horseradish Crème Fraiche is always a favorite for special dining affairs.

Florida is a magnificent destination for wedding’s, anniversaries or any occasion that you may want to bring together a group of people from varying regions.

Catering foods and service is our specialty. Contact us for a complete customized event, whether dining outdoors or at any local event venue.

www.Cater-Express.com

Here is a link to our Sunset Calculator to time your outdoor event to the setting sun here on the West Coast of Florida. http://www.cater-express.com/Wedding2.html

Florida’s coastline says, “I do”

2011-01-08T08:44:00.004-05:00

Many visitors and tourists are not aware how beautiful beaches are along Florida’s West coastline.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Jan 05, 2011 – Locals know Pinellas County is home to snow-white beaches with clear, aqua blue water that creates outstanding scenery to exchange wedding vows within the Tampa Bay region.

Many affordable venues make choosing a water and sunset backdrop easier with on-the-beach ceremonies for exchanging nuptials and nearby reception areas for guests to celebrate any special event.

Fort De Soto Park has award winning beaches in St. Petersburg, Florida with reception venues nearby, a few with overlooking bay views are:

• Progress Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater's Grand Ballroom’s floor to ceiling windows shows off Tampa Bay and a picturesque boat filled marina as the surrounding backdrop. www.mahaffeytheater.com/plan_your_wedding.cfm

• St. Pete Beach Recreation Center has a spectacular view of Boca Ciega Bay with new lower rental pricing; www.spbrec.com/facility-rentals/

• Clearwater Beach Recreation Center has very affordable hall rental rates located directly on the Intracoastal Waterway. www.clearwater-fl.com/gov/depts/parksrec/facilities/cbrc.asp

Access to beaches with shelter accommodations within Pinellas County, Florida are easily reserved online at pinellas.obsres.com/parkshelters/

Finding a venue for a picture perfect paradise experience is as important as finding a caterer that is licensed and insured to assist you. Florida State Catering license and insurance is necessary for Pinellas County Parks and Recreations for food service. Cater Express, www.Cater-Express.com, has catered beach weddings and special occasion events in the Tampa Bay area since 2007. With contemporary and time-honored menu's, they offer “boutique style” catering which is unique in that they cater only one wedding or large event per day, so as to give the hosting party their full attention for their reception. They also have a Sunset Calculator to visually time your wedding vows to the backdrop of the setting sun. www.Cater-Express.com/Weddings.htm

TheKnot.com is a leading national wedding planning website that features prominent vendors that cater towards wedding planning services. There you will find personalized tools to prepare for your bridal date. A wedding may be your most important hosted affair and having professionals guide you through a process that may be unfamiliar will provide you with peace of mind.

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www.Cater-Express.com

Shrimp & Grits or Smoked Oyster & Grit Cakes for an Hors d' Oeuvre

2011-01-07T15:42:00.001-05:00

Our twist on "Shrimp & Grits" takes these casual ingredients and welcomes them to any elegant event.
We have them paired here with "Baby Smoked Oyster's and Grits", which is my favorite. ~Kat

Would you like the recipe? Send us an email at: CaterExpress@gmail.com

www.Cater-Express.com

Catering at the Mahaffey Theater St. Petersburg, Florida

2010-11-27T14:22:00.005-05:00

Macaroni & Cheese Lollipops, Italian Sausage Puff Pastries with Brown Mustard Drizzle, Classic Bruschetta & Cannelini with Lemon Zest and Sun-dried Tomato Bruschetta.

Passing Macaroni & Cheese Lollipop
Hors d'Oeuvres.

Passing Classic Bruschetta & Cannelini with Lemon Zest and Sun-dried Tomato Bruschetta Hors d'Oeuvres.

Progress Energy Mahaffey Theater for the Arts Grand Ballroom, downtown St. Petersburg, FL.

Salad Bar Buffet.

Caesar Salad Action Station.

Guest tables setup.

Pasta Action Station setup.

Pasta Action Station with Chafers to re-fill; Cavatappi Alfredo, Penne Marinara & our Meatballs with Red Pepper Flakes and Asiago Parmesan Cheese.

Buffet Setup; Chicken Marsala, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli & Carrots with a hint of Smoked Paprika.

www.Cater-Express.com

Schedule a Private Tasting for Catering

2010-10-23T10:37:00.002-04:00

Let us show you the level of our catering Foods and Services with a customized Private Tasting.

Here we’ve presented at our recent tasting our most popular offering – Chicken Marsala and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Fresh herbs compliment the candor of these dishes, reflected by our silver serving platters.

Every event has unique opportunities for us to create a specialized menu. The wedding party for this tasting requested a seafood dish that would compliment their menu selections. We created a chef attended Ahi Tuna Action Station for them, in which a chef pan sears Sesame encrusted Saku Sushi Grade Tuna and slices it fresh for their guests at the Wedding Reception.

Our Wedding Page has tips on menu selections and more, including a Tampa Bay Sunset Calculation page to time your outdoor wedding with the setting sun.

www.Cater-Express.com

Thai Food on Sunday's

2010-09-12T13:48:00.002-04:00

A friend asked me today where the Thai Food Market was in Tampa that I like so much.

Chris Sherman wrote one of my favorite articles in the St. Petersburg Times that captures this market best - including the Coconut Rice Cakes (make sure to put your order in early as there may be a wait - a wait very much worthy). Sitting by the river and sharing an entree or two is a fine way to spend a Sunday afternoon. http://www.sptimes.com/2007/03/07/Taste/A_taste_of_home_on_Su.shtml

More info:
Wat Tampa food fair
5306 Palm River Road, Tampa, is off U.S. 41/50th Street, a half-mile south of the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway and State Road 60
Pictures
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/DbARcEuX6NvWN_hSQKHMJg?select=Kt28xkmsF6Umsm_zOHHXEw

www.Cater-Express.com

Catering at Indian Rocks Beach house

2010-09-01T09:48:00.003-04:00

Our recent Catering drop off at Indian Rocks Beach, Florida for a Political Rally hosted by an affiliate of http://www.seagrassgrow.org/
Petite Cuban Panini with our Garlic Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Shaved Ham, Swiss, Dill Pickle and Mayo/Mustard Spread

California Rolls with Avocado, Krab & Cucumber

with our Sushi Drizzle Sauces

http://www.cater-express.com/

Time your wedding to the sunset in Tampa Bay Florida

2010-08-14T20:50:00.008-04:00

When will the sunset November 11th, 2011?

We've created a page to time your wedding vows to the sunset (or anytime) in the Tampa Bay Area. If you are planning a destination wedding anywhere on the west coast of Florida, the setting sun should be approximately the same time frame.

Play the youtube video and then scroll down to use the sunset calculator for Clearwater Beach, St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area. http://www.cater-express.com/Wedding2.html

preview image:

http://www.cater-express.com/

Wedding Brunch June 13th 2010 Clearwater Beach Recreation Complex

2010-06-19T08:54:00.025-04:00

Kat, Quiche and Roasted Red Potatoes at our new Kitchen.

Mary Jo setting up the
Buffet at the Clearwater Beach Rec Center

Hot Buffet Foods and Tent Menu describing foods for Guests.

Fresh Fruit Tiered Display; Papaya, Mango, Kiwi, Oranges, Honeydew, Watermelon, Cantalope, Grapes, Strawberries & Blueberries.

Fresh Croissants with Jelly & Butter.

Wedding Ceremony on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Buffet Parade.

Candy bar courtesy of Family.

Happy Sunday Brunchers.

Table seating was done by the Wedding Party with Super Heroes on tables matching Guest's seating cards.

Wedding Party also strung at least 1001 Oragami Cranes throughout event hall ~ Very nicely done!

Happy Sunday Wedding Brunch!

Blueberry Muffin Fan.

120 Guests fit comfortably in this waterfront Hall.

Light pours into Hall from the East and the South.

Entrance way into Clearwater Beach Recreation Center's Event Hall.

www.Cater-Express.com

Pinellas Corporate BBQ Lake Tarpon

2010-06-09T06:48:00.039-04:00

Our BBQ at John Chestnut Sr. State Park in Florida was a lot of fun. We set up by the water, Lake Tarpon, in the early afternoon.

Half the fun was the scenery like the Alligator Pond that we crossed to reach the Pavilion to set up.

Or while exploring the Park, the Butterfly Garden that was built by a Girl Scout project that was bringing in butterfly's as we walked through and learned more about them.
For your next Corporate or Social BBQ, push the easy button and let Cater Express take care of the Grilling & Chilling ~

Greek Salad with Romaine, Spring Mix, Feta, Roma Tomatoes, Pepperoncini's & Red Onion's

Baked Beans with Brown Sugar & Bacon

BBQ Chicken Sliders built to order

BBQ Grilled Salmon with Key Lime & Bourbon Glaze

BBQ Pork Spareribs hot off the Grill

With BBQ Sauce on side and Lemon scented Wetnap:-)

Salmon, Fresh Grilled in Small Batches

Fresh Fruit and Brownie Bites

www.Cater-Express.com

Graduation Schiller International University

2010-05-02T07:49:00.015-04:00

Stuffed Mushrooms
Mushroom Duxelle & Herbs - Spinach & Cheese

Petite Tea Sandwiches with a twist - Pâte à choux fresh baked and stuffed with choice of filling:
Smoked Salmon with Garlic butter & Cucumber

Petite Tea Sandwiches with a twist - Pâte à choux fresh baked and stuffed with choice of filling:
Chicken Salad

Filet Mignon Bites marinated and grilled

Gourmet Cheeses Domestic and Import Cheese selection & herbed Cheese Ball served with gourmet Crackers

Fresh Fruit Platter Seasonally fresh Fruits and Berries

www.Cater-Express.com

Let's BBQ

2010-04-10T14:12:00.006-04:00

Our new BBQ page has menu's to choose a selection from, or you may contact us to custom build a menu for you.

From mini Sliders, Angus Beef Burgers to Alaskan King Crab and Steak, we have sample pricing available online for your next get together.

www.Cater-Express.com

Portuguese Soup

2010-04-04T20:09:00.007-04:00

Portuguese Soup

Hawaiian food is a mix of foods introduced by different ethnic groups who settled in Hawaii at various times.

Here is my Portuguese Soup version that includes ham, sausage and vegetables:

1 pound sausage, small dice - Portuguese sausage, if available
(Here's a link if you'd like to buy Hawaiian Portuguese Sausage online: http://www.hawaiianfoodonline.com/index.cfm )
1 pound ham hock
1 onion, small dice
2 quarts water
1 carrots, diced
3 potatoes, diced
1 small cabbage, chopped
1 can (8oz) tomato sauce

Directions:
Put sausage, ham hock, and onion into a large sauce pot, add water.
Cover and cook on low heat for 1 hour.
Remove meat from ham hock and add back into soup - then add carrots, potatoes, cabbage and tomato sauce.
Cover and continue cooking for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Serves 12

www.Cater-Express.com

MSG, Umami & HVP Food Poisoning

2010-03-28T09:49:00.004-04:00

Kikunae Ikeda was a Japanese chemist who discovered in 1908 the algae kombu is a natural producer of MSG – it forms crystals on the surface of the algae. Kikunae named MSG’s flavor “umami” as the taste sensation was different from the usual, sweet, sour, salty and bitter. Umami is one of the five taste sensations translating more or less into English as flavorful or savory. Other examples of umami are; meats, cheese, soy sauce, fermented bean paste, tomatoes and mushrooms.

The algae kombu is commonly used in the soup stock “dashi” which is the base for soups such as, Ramen, miso and Japanese noodle soups and broths.

A year after Kikunae’s discovery, a Japanese company began to mass produce MSG by harvesting the glutamate using bacteria that produces large amounts. It has been misused by some restaurants in heavy concentration causing “Chinese restaurant syndrome”. Toxicologists have studied MSG in large consumption amounts and have found that is harmless to most people.

HVP or Hydrolyzed vegetable protein is manufactured in the U.S. and is basically the same as MSG. After researching the food recalls recently released by the FDA it is surprising how many foods and fast food products (KFC, Burger King and McDonald’s) found today contain MSG under the HVP labeling:

For the lists of foods being recalled for possible Salmonella contamination:

http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/2010/03/articles/foodborne-illness-outbreaks/what-is-hydrolyzed-vegetable-protein-or-hvp-and-what-products-might-contain-salmonella-tennessee/

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/HVPCP/

www.Cater-Express.com

Our recent pickup catering

2010-03-13T15:55:00.006-05:00

Our pickup platters and

and dinners to go are available

for easy buffet's and dinner parties.

www.Cater-Express.com

Tom Kai Gai - Thai-style Coconut Chicken Soup

2010-02-28T10:01:00.006-05:00

This soup I made was by request, and I must say it is now one of my all time favorite soups.

Tom Kai Gai has many ingredients that are in the soup base that have the secret to the balance of this dish - Lemongrass, Kaffir Lime, Garlic, Chili & Chicken Stock. It also has Shiitake Mushrooms and I added fresh Carrots and Parsley for color.

www.Cater-Express.com

Beef & USDA Grading

2010-01-24T09:39:00.002-05:00

USDA Grades of Beef; Prime, Choice & Select Grade are the most popular – even though there is another grade often used in foodservice named “No Roll” – which means that the seller did not think that their beef would make the lowest stamp roll (Select Grade) so they did not pay to have it graded. Beef that is “No Roll” may contain Select Grade as well some Choice, but never Prime – if the beef contained Prime, sellers would pay for the USDA grading in order to fetch a more premium price tag.

“No Roll” is available and you should ask what grade you are in the market for, whether you are shopping in your local supermarket, ordering in a restaurant or ordering from a licensed caterer.
Some selections of beef wouldn’t be appropriate for all uses, for example, you wouldn’t want to use USDA Prime Beef for hamburgers, unless you wanted to pay the most premium price for that burger.

Grading of beef is based on maturity and quality of the bone structure and the amount of marbling and color in the muscle of the animal. All beef is inspected by the USDA and is inspected on a pass/fail system.

Select grade is considered “good”, while Choice is “better” and Prime is considered “premium”. If you are considering a dinner for a large amount of guests and would like to provide a “Beef Tenderloin” entrée, Select grade would be a logical choice if you are considering budget constraints. You may also use other cuts of beef that may also fit into budgets for “Roast Beef” selections that may be of higher grade.

http://www.cater-express.com/

Tom Yum Gung Soup

2010-01-16T08:31:00.003-05:00

A recent soup request has been a soup I’ve wanted to make for awhile, but has been pushed to the back burner of tasks to do. This upcoming week, I will try my hand at it. What had intrigued me before this request was the research that has been recently done on Tom Yum Gung soup for immune system benefits, as well as cancer inhibiting qualities. http://articles.smashits.com/articles/food/94702/health-benefits-of-thai-soup-under-study.html

Here are the ingredients I’ll use for one gallon:
• 16 Cups Chicken stock
• 3 stalks Lemongrass
• 12 Kaffir lime leaves
• 2 Tbsp. Garlic
• 2 tsp. Red chili flakes
• ¼ Cup. Fish sauce
• Nam prig pow (Red curry paste)
• Shiitake mushrooms
• medium Shrimp
• 3 Tbsp. Lime juice
• Cilantro
• Sugar to taste

http://www.cater-express.com/

Free PC Firewall and Anti-Virus

2010-01-02T07:51:00.003-05:00

I was using PC Tools' free Firewall and Anti-Virus software. I kept having issues with my system locking up with the firewall with everyday programs to the point where I would have to turn off the firewall in order to have the programs work - ineffective if not active! Then the Anti-Virus program just errored out (error 104) and kapoot wouldn't startup.

So I googled and gave Comodo's free Firewall and Anti-Virus a chance. I haven't had one error and upon first system scan, the Anti-Virus found and quarantined areas where PC Tools had found no problems. It's very easy to use and I'd recommend it, especially if you have no other firewall than Window's.

Free Firewall - Download the Best Firewall Protection and Anti-Virus Scan Software from Comodo

http://www.cater-express.com/

Do you own something that runs on gasoline?

2009-12-31T08:19:00.004-05:00

When gas shot up to over $4 a gallon here in central Florida, most folks were relieved by the time it got down to $2.70ish a gallon.

Somewhere between that time-frame, our local gas was infused with ethanol. The signs on the pump state that it is not over 10% of the formula. It is however enough to cause some major engine problems for my gas engines, including my lawnmower!

A few signs of struggle with ethanol include; rough idling, hard starts, sputtering, backfiring and white smoke in exhaust.

I found Gasoline/Marine Medic and now use it regularly to every fuel fill-up. It not only cleans the ethanol related problems, it stabilizes the fuel to reduce moisture in the fuel line. It works for all gas engines and can be found at any marine store or automotive stores have similar fuel cleaners.

- 32 ounces treats 375 gallons
- Stabilizer removes water from fuel
- Prevents phase separation corrosion Inhibitor cleans and lubricates entire fuel system

It makes me wonder why this additive was not included in the formula for our "new" gas, but after considering the advantages to the economy by not including it - I understand why it was probably left out:
More engine troubles helps local repair shops, used and new auto dealers & sellers of small engine wares...

http://www.cater-express.com/

Ants & Insecticidal

2009-12-26T08:27:00.003-05:00

Living in Florida for the last six years or so, has been an introduction to many of insects - some have been non-problematic, some have been super challenging like the dreaded lubber bug which if not treated with a potent insecticidal during their nymph stage can only be controlled in the garden by use of a brick.

For ants and more, I've found this recipe to work best:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boric_acid
"Boric acid was first registered in the US as an insecticide in 1948 for
control of cockroaches, termites, fire ants, fleas, silverfish, and
many other insects. It acts as a stomach poison affecting the
insects' metabolism, and the dry powder is abrasive to the insects'
exoskeleton.

Boric acid is generally considered to be safe to use in household
kitchens to control cockroaches and ants.

Homemade ant bait can be made
by dissolving:
1 teaspoon (5 mL) powdered boric acid and
10 teaspoons (50 mL) sugar into
2 cups (500 mL) of water;
this mixture can then be absorbed into cotton balls which are left near
ant trails. This reportedly will be carried back into the ants' nest,
decimating or even completely wiping out the colony."

http://www.cater-express.com/