Few things are more frustrating than discovering a trail of tiny ants marching toward your sugar bowl. “Sugar ants,” as they’re often called, are a common household pest with a sweet tooth. They can quickly turn a tidy kitchen into an ant highway, leading to spoiled food and a general feeling of unease.
This article is your comprehensive guide to identifying, eliminating, and preventing sugar ant infestations. We’ll cover everything from identifying the type of ant you’re dealing with, to safe and effective removal methods, and finally, how to prevent these unwelcome guests from returning. Let’s get rid of those ants in your sugar for good!
What are sugar ants?
The term “sugar ant” isn’t a formal name for a particular species of ant. Instead, it’s a general term people use to describe ants that are attracted to sweet stuff.
A few ants you might call “sugar ants” include:
- Odorous house ants
- Pharaoh ants
- Carpenter ants
Characteristics of odorous house ants
One of the most common “sugar ants” is the odorous house ant. These ants are small, typically only 2.5 to 3 millimeters long. They’re usually black or brown.
These ants get their name from the distinctive odor they give off when crushed — it smells like rotten coconut.
Odorous house ants have 12 segments in each of their antennae.
How to tell if you have a sugar ant infestation
The most obvious sign is seeing ants marching in lines to and from a food source. Look for trails of ants in your kitchen, bathrooms, pantry, and anywhere else you keep food.
It’s important to know what kind of ant you’re dealing with. Treating for the wrong type of ant won’t solve the problem. If you’re not sure, you may want to call a professional pest control service.
For example, odorous house ants create new colonies when they feel threatened. This is called “budding,” and it means that killing the ants you see may not get rid of the problem. Because they have multiple queens, they’re extremely difficult to eradicate.
What attracts sugar ants to your home?
So, what’s drawing those tiny sugar ants into your house in the first place? Here are a few common attractants:
Food sources
Sugar ants are especially drawn to sugary stuff, so spilled drinks, crumbs on the counter, and improperly stored snacks can be a real beacon for them. But they’re not picky eaters. They’ll also seek out grease splatters and even pet food if it’s available.
Moisture
Like most living things, ants need water to survive. Leaky pipes, standing water in the yard, and even excess humidity inside your house can be attractive to them.
Entry points
Ants can be surprisingly resourceful when it comes to finding their way inside. They can squeeze through tiny cracks in your foundation, gaps around windows and doors, and even plumbing penetrations.
Getting Rid of Sugar Ants: A Step-by-Step Guide
So, you’ve got ants in your sugar (or on your countertop, or marching across your floor). Don’t despair! Here’s a plan of attack to get rid of them, from quick fixes to more involved strategies.
Immediate Actions
- Wipe out the pheromone trail. Ants leave invisible scent trails so others can follow them to a food source. Mix about 10% dish soap with 90% water and wipe down any surfaces where you’ve seen ants marching.
- Clean up spills and crumbs immediately. Don’t give them a reason to come back!
Sealing Entry Points
- Find and seal cracks and crevices. Ants can squeeze through tiny openings. Use caulk or sealant to close up any cracks you find, especially around pipes and wiring.
- Check the weather stripping. Replace any damaged or worn weather stripping around doors and windows.
Natural Repellents
Several natural substances can deter ants without harmful chemicals:
- White vinegar solution: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray around entry points and ant trails.
- Essential oils: Peppermint, thyme, or citrus oils can be effective. Mix about 10 drops of essential oil per cup of water and spray around affected areas.
- Diatomaceous earth: Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) in areas where ants travel. DE is made from fossilized algae and is harmless to humans and pets, but deadly to ants.
Using Ant Baits
Ant baits are a long-term solution. The ants take the bait back to the colony, poisoning the other ants, including the queen.
- Place bait stations near ant trails. A common brand is TERRO.
- Be patient. It can take 5-10 days (or longer) to see results.
When to Call a Professional
Sometimes, the ant problem is too big to handle on your own. Call a professional exterminator:
- If you have a severe or persistent infestation.
- If you can’t identify the ant species.
- If you’re dealing with large or multiple colonies.
- If you’d rather not deal with the ants yourself and prefer professional-grade treatments.
Preventing Sugar Ant Infestations
It’s much easier to keep sugar ants out than to get rid of them once they’ve settled in. Here’s how to prevent sugar ant infestations:
Eliminate food sources
- Store food in airtight containers.
- Clean up spills and crumbs immediately.
- Regularly clean under appliances — this is where crumbs love to hide!
- Keep pet food areas sparkling clean.
Control moisture
- Fix leaky pipes and faucets right away.
- Make sure there’s proper drainage around your house.
- Reduce humidity in bathrooms and kitchens with a dehumidifier.
Seal entry points
- Regularly inspect and seal cracks and crevices in your home’s foundation and around windows and pipes.
- Maintain weather stripping around doors and windows so there’s a tight seal.
Landscape maintenance
- Keep mulch away from the foundation. Rubber mulch or gravel doesn’t attract ants the way wood mulch does.
- Trim shrubs and trees away from the house so ants can’t use them as a bridge into your home.
- Eliminate standing water in the yard — even a small puddle can be a welcome watering hole for ants.
Sugar Ants vs. Pavement Ants
People often use the term “sugar ant” to describe any ant they find in their sugar bowl, but they’re most likely seeing odorous house ants. These ants are often confused with pavement ants.
The easiest way to tell the difference between them is to look at the nodes on their abdomens. Sugar ants (odorous house ants) have one node, while pavement ants have two.
Pavement ants are also usually darker in color and a bit larger than sugar ants.
To Conclude
Keeping sugar ants out of your house takes diligence and effort. But by eliminating their food and water sources, sealing up any entry points, and using baits or repellents, you can keep these unwelcome guests from invading your home.
Take action now to keep your home ant-free!