10 hours ago, LawrenceN said:

Yeah, big deal. This is like the tag on your mattress that says do not remove. The stuff is boric acid, harmless to mammals, unless you eat a pound of it. It's used in ear treatments. Also comes in a powder form, which I blast directly into their nests. I find the powder more effective than a squiggly line of chalk. Available at your local general store.

The quote children and old men was the point I failed to make.  We old men will eat anything it seems.

In my house I keep a small nest of Black ants near, just encase I should knock back a few Reds. The Blacks when eaten will neutralize the deadly effects caused by the Red ones.....          

On 6/23/2018 at 9:16 AM, csabo said:

"pre ow"

Thank you.

?

A practically unforgivable faux pas in Isaan.

One must always eat the black ants BEFORE eating the red ants using ones outermost chop sticks and working ones way in to the remaining utensils.

However, lack of understanding of many of the traditional etiquette's may be humoursly received upon the foreign guest by mine host,especially those of the younger generation , but do not be surprised should one receive frowns and tut-tutting from the more conservative diners present.