Tiny sugar ants may look harmless, but once they invade your kitchen, they become trouble. Sugar ants are attracted to sweet foods and pet dishes. They form groups and move in long lines across kitchen counters, near sinks, and around food containers. To get rid of sugar ants, it's important to understand what attracts them and use the right method to eliminate them. This blog covers some home-friendly methods to keep sugar ants away and keep your kitchen free of them.
How to Identify an Infestation of Sugar Ants?
A sugar ant infestation is very easy to identify. The most apparent indication is observing small groups or long lines of ants moving toward sweet foods like sugar, honey, or crumbs left on kitchen counters. These ants are tiny and generally dark brown or black, making them easily visible, especially against light surfaces.
Despite being small in size, sugar ants can build large colonies that grow rapidly if not controlled early. Sugar ants appear in warmer months like spring and summer, and are more active in search of food and water. They enter homes through small cracks, wall gaps, vents, and holes in floorboards, while searching for moisture and food.
Sometimes, you may also find small mounds outside, especially around the edges of your home. The activities of ants tend to increase on humid and warm days, as they move indoors to find shelter and food sources.
How to Get Rid of Sugar Ants?
Sugar ants have unique behavioral patterns. So, getting rid of them needs a well-planned approach. Here are some steps to get rid of sugar ants.
Locate the ant trails
The exact spots where their trails are entering need to be located. If you have found ants in multiple rooms, there are chances of multiple entry areas in your home.
Set up bait stations near the ants’ entry points.
An ant bait can be easily prepared at home by using basic household items like sugar, water, and borax. By mixing these ingredients, you can form a solution that attracts ants and helps to get rid of them. This mixture works slowly, which allows the ants to carry the bait back to their nest and share the bait with other ants in their colony. Eventually, the queen and other ants also consume the bait, which causes the entire colony to die.
Clean the areas where ant leaves pheromones
Clean the places where ants are usually seen. You can prepare a simple cleaning solution by mixing water and distilled white vinegar. This mixture acts as a natural repellent and wipes away the scent trails and a chemical trail called pheromones that ants use to communicate. Eliminating these trails can stop ant activity in the area.
Remove all possible attractions
To prevent ants from returning, clean your kitchen and other food areas thoroughly. Clean counters, floors, and trash bins, as even tiny crumbs or spills can attract them. Store all food items in air-tight containers and rinse soft drink bottles, jars, and food containers thoroughly so that no sugary residue remains.
Seal off entry points
Carefully inspect areas like cracks and gaps around your doors and windows because even a tiny opening can become an entry route for ants. Identify the sources and seal them by using caulk or other barrier materials.
Methods to Avoid
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Avoid using insecticides like aerosol sprays because these products kill the ants they come in contact with, and leave the other hidden ants that spread out and form new nests in other areas.
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Clean the trails after setting the bait because ants follow the trail and carry the bait back home, where it can kill other ants and collapse the colony.
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Avoid crushing sugar ants as they can emit a strong odour. Also, do not vacuum without using an elastic band to secure a nylon stocking at the end of your vacuum hose. This nylon will trap the ants and prevent them from entering your vacuum.
Pet Child and Safety
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Use a tamper proof bait station to keep pets and children safe.
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Avoid placing boric acid or borax mixtures within their reach.
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For serious ant problems, prefer professional services rather than risky and toxic DIY methods.
When to Call a Professional to Get Rid of Ants?
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If your baiting efforts fail after a few weeks.
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If the infestation is very large.
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If nests are inside walls and ceilings.
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If ants keep coming back every season.
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Professionals can use targeted treatments and help create a plan to prevent future infestations.
Conclusion
Getting rid of sugar ants isn't much trouble because you can use natural methods using items readily available at home. Taking preventive measures to keep sugar ants at bay is a smart way. Avoid improper methods like aerosol sprays and crushing ants can prevent the ants from returning.
