Sugar ants are the most common type of ants found in homes. They belong to the species, Ants of the genus Camponotus. These ants are small black or brown in color and they have an oval-shaped body covered with fine hairs on their body. They are attracted to sweet things such as food and drinks that contain sugar or other sweeteners like soda, fruit juices, etc. Therefore, it is not surprising that these little creatures can cause considerable damage to our homes if left unchecked for a long time. Sugar ant infestation is one of the most common household pests across Australia and America due to their large numbers and also because they easily find ways into your house through cracks in foundation walls or around windows/doors etc.
What is sugar ant?
Sugar ants are small, black ants that are about 1/16 of an inch long. They are attracted to sweets and can be found in the kitchen or pantry. They nest in moist places such as drains, behind sinks, under the refrigerator, and in potted plants.
The sugar ant’s scientific name is Camponotus species (Formica), but it has many common names including carpenter ant; waterbug; white-footed house; pavement; field; pharaoh’s rat-tail; red wagon tail, and Argentine ant.
Where do we find sugar ants?
In most cases, the first place you’ll notice sugar ants is in your kitchen. That’s because they’re drawn to food and sweetness—pretty much every kitchen contains both. The bathroom isn’t far behind as a common location for these pests; if you have showers or tubs, they’re likely to find their way inside where they can get wet and drown while trying to cross your bathroom floor.
In bedrooms, they are attracted by the sweet smell of fabric softener or other laundry additives. If you have any bedbugs in your home (a common problem), then this becomes an easy place for them to breed and make a home for themselves without having to leave the comfort of your bedroom.
They are frequently found in garages because that’s where people tend to store their pet food as well as any other kind of food product we might have around our homes – including sugary snacks from our kids’ lunches or breakfast cereals left on plates after dinner last night.
White vinegar
White vinegar is a natural ant repellent that can help you get rid of the ants in your home. To use the vinegar, simply spray it on ant hills and trails. If you find an ant nest, pour the white vinegar into it so that the liquid goes into all crevices and cracks where they are hiding and living. The smell of this solution will repel them from coming back and establishing a new colony again.
Borax
You can use borax to kill ants. Borax is a natural mineral, which means it’s safe for humans and animals. However, it can be toxic to insects if ingested in large amounts.
- To kill sugar ants with borax:
- Sprinkle a mound of borax on the ground where you spot an ant trail or nest. For example, sprinkle it inside your cabinets if you see them entering them through cracks or holes in the walls or floorboards. You only need one or two tablespoons of borax per nest site, so this method is only effective if there are multiple nests around your house (more than one entrance).
Use cloves
Cloves contain eugenol, a natural insecticide that can help rid your home of sugar ants and other pests. Cloves are effective for getting rid of ants because they have a scent that acts as an irritant to the ant’s pheromone receptors. They will eventually leave in search of somewhere less spicy to live.
If you’re looking for a natural way to keep away sugar ants in your kitchen, clove oil is a great option! It works well as an insect repellent and works even better when mixed with other essential oils such as lavender or peppermint oils since these scents mask the strong odor associated with cloves.
Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth is a natural pesticide made from the fossilized remains of diatoms, which are hard-shelled algae that were once plentiful in lakes and rivers. It kills insects by dehydrating them. Diatomaceous earth can be used as a dust or powder, which makes it easy to apply directly on pests like ants or fleas, who then take it back to the colony where it kills all members.
Some people find the thought of using this substance distasteful because it’s an insect-derived material, but it’s actually very safe for human consumption and has been used as an ingredient in many foods over time.
Use coffee grounds
Coffee grounds are a great way to keep away sugar ants. The smell of the coffee grounds will repel them and keep them away from your home.
Coffee grounds are also a good way to keep away cockroaches and fleas. The smell of coffee grounds is strong enough that it can deter both cockroaches and fleas from entering your home. If you have an infestation, sprinkle some coffee grounds around the house on top of hard floors and rugs where they are likely to walk through it, especially if you have pets or children who could be exposed to the pesticides used in pest control sprays.
Use Ant bait
One of the most important things to remember when you’re dealing with ants is to bait them. Ants are omnivorous, meaning they eat everything from protein-rich foods like meat and cheese to carbohydrates like sugar and grains. This makes them susceptible to any food that has a high concentration of sugar or carbohydrate—including the kind that comes in ant traps.
There are two ways to use bait:
- Use baits with a sweet flavor.
- Place small amounts of these baits near areas where you’ve seen ants entering your home (such as the cracks under doors).
Hang garlic
If you’re looking for a natural way to keep away of ants, garlic is your best bet. They don’t like the smell or taste of garlic and will stay away from it. You can also use garlic as a repellent by hanging whole cloves in areas where ants are a problem. The smell of garlic will keep them away until they find something better to eat (i.e., you). Garlic is high in selenium, which is an important nutrient that helps our bodies fight infections and cancer cells.
Use baking soda
To make your own ant spray, mix 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Spray it on them and their nests, and let the baking soda dissolve for about 10 minutes before spraying again. You can use a spray bottle for this process or simply pour some down the entryways of your house to attract any ants coming inside.
The best thing about using baking soda is that it won’t harm you, your pets or children if they accidentally eat some of it when cleaning up after you’ve sprayed! It may take 2-3 days before all of the ants are gone — but don’t give up! Spray every day until you see no more signs of infestation.
Use bay leaves
Bay leaves are excellent natural repellents. They can be used to repel sugar ants in the same way that they repel other pests, including roaches and spiders. The smell of the bay leaf makes it difficult for the ants to find their food source, and when they eventually do reach their goal, they’re unable to eat it because of this overpowering scent.
Essential oil spray
If you want to get rid of them naturally and safely, a homemade essential oil spray is a great place to start. The key ingredient in the spray is water. Add several drops of your favorite essential oils for your chosen scent (lavender or peppermint are both good choices), then fill up with water and shake well before each use.
You can either spray it directly on them as they roam around looking for food or nest or else simply put it into their colony location with some cotton balls so that when they walk by they’ll be covered in it! Don’t worry if there are still some leftovers; just repeat as needed until all have been eliminated.
Liquid detergent
The first thing to remember is that liquid detergents such as soap or dish soap will kill them. You can use any liquid detergent, but the best ones are those that contain bleach because they kill the ants faster than others.
Bleach also works as an ant killer. Mix 1 part bleach with 3 parts water in a spray bottle and apply it to surfaces where you have seen them. They won’t be able to handle this mixture and will die within 24 hours of exposure. However, don’t use this method if you have kids or pets around your house! They could accidentally get into it and ingest it which would be extremely dangerous for their health!
What are the types of sugar ants?
There are two types of sugar ants: black and red. The black sugar ant is a small, wingless ant that’s not aggressive but has a strict diet of sweets. They’re also very tiny, so if you see one crawling around on your countertop or kitchen floor it’s probably a black sugar ant. The red sugar ants are slightly larger than the black (the difference between an apple seed and an apple), but they still won’t be intimidating if they get into your home. Both species live in colonies as well as are attracted to sweet items like soda cans and candy wrappers left out on counters so you should watch out for them there too.
Are sugar ants harmful to us?
Sugar ants are not harmful to humans, but they can be troublesome for homeowners.
They are known for damaging food in the kitchen and other areas of the house.
They eat liquids and sugars, which means they will also feed on beeswax, honeydew, and tender plant buds that attract them. They can also cause damage to other insects, animals, and plants in your yard or garden.
How to prevent sugar ants in the house
Vacuum properly
You can also use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of sugar ants. If you have an old vacuum cleaner, throw it away. Vacuums with bags or filters are useless for this purpose. Do not use a wet vacuum cleaner to suck up the sugar ants; even if they die, they will leave a trail behind them and lead others back to your house.
If you have an indoor/outdoor carpet or rug in your home, it is advisable to remove it as soon as possible because that’s where most of these insects usually live and breed in large numbers throughout the year. The best way is by spraying pesticide spray over all areas where there are traces of these pests – around windowsills, doorways, and baseboards – so that no other pests come near them again without being detected firsthand by someone else (which may lead them back inside again).
Wipe kitchen countertop regularly
- The first step in getting rid of sugar ants is to wipe down your kitchen countertop regularly. This will help reduce the amount of food that can be accessed by the ants, as well as reduce their nesting areas.
- If you are seeing a lot of them on your countertops, try using vinegar to kill them off. Pour some white vinegar into a spray bottle and cover all areas where there are ants present. Let this sit for around 15 minutes before wiping up any dead bodies with a paper towel and then cleaning up any liquid with soap and water (or another approved cleaner).
Clean dustbin regularly
To get rid of sugar ants, it’s essential to clean your dustbin regularly. They love to eat the food scraps that you put in the bin, so making sure that these are cleaned out on a regular basis will remove one of their favorite food sources and make them less likely to nest there in the future.
Trash cans that seal up tightly can be an effective way of stopping sugar ants from getting inside and nesting in your trash can. If you have a large bin or another container for collecting rubbish and recycling, use hardware cloth or screening over the top of it and secure it tightly with zip ties or tape. If this is not possible for some reason (such as if you don’t want to risk damaging your trash can), then try covering the top with something like thin cardboard instead; this should still prevent most insects from getting inside but won’t be too awkward when throwing away items from time-to-time.
Clean sink regularly
The first step to defeating sugar ants is to keep your sink clean. Sugar ants do not like water, so a clean sink will be less appealing to them.
Also, make sure you pack food in airtight containers and then place them into the fridge when you are done eating. This will help prevent any food from getting leftovers that can draw ants in your kitchen or around your home.
Clean floor with floor cleaner
To get rid of sugar ants, clean your floor with a multipurpose cleaner (we recommend Hot Shot). This will kill the ants and their eggs. If you would like to use a mop or broom instead, make sure it is disinfected first by putting it into boiling water for at least 20 minutes. You can also use a steam cleaner on the floors if you want to be thorough with removing all types of dirt and grime from your home.
Pack food in a tight container
- Don’t leave food open on the counter or in the pantry.
- Don’t leave food near your sink. Ants are attracted to moisture, so make sure you don’t leave wet dishes or sponges around either.
- Keep foods in a dry place and cool place, away from sunlight, dust, and pests like mice that may want to sample your snacks! Also, keep them out of reach of children and pets because they are likely to eat it all if given the chance…which means more ants.
Conclusion
Having sugar ants in your home can be a big annoyance and a pain to deal with. They can cause damage and make your home smell bad. These ants are not only harmful but they also multiply fast and are difficult to get rid of as they live in colonies and have multiple queens who lay eggs.
Also Read :Â How to get rid of carpenter ants
