Sugar ants invade homes in search of food, especially sweets. They enter through small cracks and quickly form trails. Chemical sprays can remove them, but natural methods are safer for people and pets. This guide explains how to eliminate sugar ants using simple, natural solutions.

What are Sugar Ants and What Does It Look Like?

Sugar ants are small ants that love to feast on sweet foods, hence their name. There are several types of sugar ants, including odorous house ants, pharaoh ants, and pavement ants. Sugar ants are drawn to sweet foods and sugary scraps, as well as fats, proteins (which they obtain by consuming other insects), and plant pollen. Once they locate a food source, they will transport the food back to their nest for the entire colony to consume.

Solutions & 9 Ways to Get Rid of Sugar Ants Naturally

You don’t want to resort to chemical sprays to kill sugar ants? No problem! Here are 9 effective ways to get rid of them without harsh chemicals.

• Spray Vinegar Solution Where Sugar Ant Make Trail: An easy way to dismantle sugar ant colony is to spray a mix of white vinegar and water in equal parts in areas where you’ve seen them travel. The vinegar repels the ants and cleans any sticky messes they have left behind.
• Put Coffee Grounds at Different Places in Your Home: Coffee grounds naturally repel sugar ants. All you have to do is sprinkle some of the grounds in areas where you’ve seen the ants. The pungent smell will help keep them away.
• Sprinkle Bay Leaves & Whole Cloves Around Your Home: Bay leaves and whole cloves are also effective for sugar ant treatment. All you have to do is sprinkle some of these around your home.
• Use Foods with Strong Odors to Repeal Ants: Certain foods have strong odors that sugar ants don’t like. Some of the best ones are garlic, citrus peels, and onions. Simply placing these around your home will help keep the ants away.
• Spray Essential Oils : Mix a few drops of peppermint, lemongrass, or tea tree essential oils with water. Spray it around your home and enjoy an ant-free space.
• Baking Soda and Sugar Mix equal parts of baking soda and sugar to attract and eliminate ants.
• Diatomaceous Earth: Spread food-grade diatomaceous earth in areas where ants travel to dehydrate them.
• Borax and Honey: Combine borax and honey to create an effective bait trap.
• Lemon Juice: Squeeze fresh lemon juice near entry points to repel ants.

Signs of Sugar Ant Infestation

• Visible Ant Trails: Sugar ants move in organized lines, usually leading to food sources like kitchen counters or pantries.
• Small Ants in the Kitchen: These ants often appear near sinks, trash cans, and food storage areas, especially where sweets or crumbs are present.
• Ants Around Pet Food: Sugar ants are attracted to pet food bowls and may form trails to access them.
• Ants Near Water Sources: These ants gather near sinks, pipes, and damp areas, searching for moisture.
• Piles of Dirt or Debris: Small dirt piles near walls or floors indicate nesting activity.
• Dead Ants Near Entry Points: Finding dead ants near doors, windows, or cracks suggests an infestation.
• Soft Wood or Wall Damage: Sugar ants sometimes nest in walls, causing minor damage to soft wood or insulation.
• Frequent Sightings at Night: Sugar ants are most active in the evening, searching for food in dark spaces.

Spotting these signs early helps prevent a larger infestation.

4 Ways to Prevent Sugar Ants from Getting in Your Home

You don’t want sugar ants in your house getting into your food. But how to control sugar ant infestation? Here are the four best ways to get rid of sugar ants.

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  Seal All the Cracks

  The first step to getting rid of sugar ants is to find and seal up all the cracks and crevices around your house. These are the places where the ants will enter your home.

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  Don’t Keep Any Food Sources in the Open

  You should keep all food items, such as sugar and other sweet treats, in airtight containers. Also, don’t forget to clean any spills. This will stop the ants from being attracted to them.

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  Apply Over-the-Counter Ant Killers

  You can go for over-the-counter sugar ant killers. These can be sprays and baits, which can prove to be the most effective sugar ant remedy if applied correctly.

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  Take Professional Help

  If the previous methods don’t seem to work, it may be time to take professional help for sugar ant control. You can either call a pest control company or hire a professional exterminator.

Carpenter Ants vs. Sugar Ants: What is The Difference Between Carpenter Ants and Sugar Ants?

The differences between carpenter ants and sugar ants are quite significant. Something that is common between both is to get rid of carpenter ants and sugar ants, you can use ant gels and baits, along with Lysol, alcohol, diatomaceous earth, and borax. These methods are effective for both types of ants.” Let’s understand the major differences through this table:-

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do sugar ants look like?

Sugar ants are tiny, typically 1/16 of an inch long, and come in various colors like red and brown. They have six legs, two antennae, and a segmented body.

2. Do sugar ants bite?

No, sugar ants do not bite, and they don’t have any poison in them. However, they can still cause a nuisance in your home. Sugar ants, similar to flying ants, are generally known for their gentle demeanor as they only resort to biting as a means of self-defense and refrain from stinging.

3. How to find a sugar ant’s nest?

Sugar ants often build their nests under sink cabinets, in cracks and crevices of walls and floors, and in the sand. If you notice large numbers of these tiny creatures in one area, that could be the sugar ant nest.

4. Where do sugar ants come from?

Sugar ants typically enter your home from the outside through cracks and holes in search of food.

5. Will sugar ants go away on their own?

Unfortunately, sugar ants don’t go away on their own. They continue to enter your home in search of food, so it is vital to take steps for sugar ants removal.

6. How do I keep sugar ants out of the kitchen?

The best way to get rid of sugar ants in the kitchen is to thoroughly clean and vacuum the area, seal off any possible entry points, and limit the availability of food sources. Additionally, you can also place sugar ant traps or baits.

7. How to Prevent and Keep Sugar Ants Away?

If you’re looking for ways to keep sugar ants away, there are a few steps you can take.

• First and foremost, you should wipe up any sugary messes right away – the last thing you want is sugar ants all over your kitchen!
• Secondly, look for any damp areas in your home and take steps to get rid of the moisture.
• You should also routinely clean your sink and sweep or vacuum your kitchen floor after meals.
• Taking the trash out regularly is also a good idea.
• Finally, consider treating the exterior of your home with a pesticide to deter any sugar ants from getting inside.

If you follow these steps, you’ll be well on your way to keeping those pesky ants away!

8. When To Call Pest Control Company?

Tired of the sugar ants taking over your home and DIY not working? Don’t wait any longer – Take Care Termite Pest Control is here to eliminate them. Book an appointment today – don’t let the pesky ants ruin another day!