Sugar ants can be a pesky problem, invading kitchens and pantries in search of sugary treats. Getting rid of them doesn’t have to be difficult, though. Here are 5 easy methods to help you kick sugar ants to the curb.
Keep Food in Airtight Containers
Sugar ants are attracted to sugary and starchy foods. To remove their food source, store candy, sugar, honey, syrup, and other sweets in airtight containers made of glass, plastic, or stainless steel. Keep food jars and packages, like cereal boxes, chips, and cookies, tightly sealed as well.
This seals off ants’ access to these tempting treats and encourages them to look elsewhere for food. Be vigilant about crumbs too – immediately sweep up any bits of food from floors and countertops to eliminate another entry point.
Clean Up Spills and Sticky Surfaces
Sugar ants are tiny enough to squeeze through incredibly narrow cracks and crevices. If you’ve spilled juice, soda, syrup, jelly, or anything sticky, make sure to thoroughly clean the area.
Use warm soapy water, then wipe down surfaces with undiluted vinegar which helps remove sugary residue. Don’t overlook areas like the stovetop, under the refrigerator and microwave, behind small appliances, underneath sinks, and the tops of drawers where sticky spills can attract sugar ants.
Remove Indoor Trash Frequently
Trash contains food scraps and residues that sugar ants find irresistible. Take trash and recycling bags out of indoor cans daily.
Consider keeping small bags, like sandwich baggies, near indoor trash cans to conveniently bundle up discarded food remains like fruit peels. Then quickly remove these food sources from your home.
Also be diligent about removing trash from overflowing cans outside. Sugar ants may come inside if outdoor cans are too full.
Use Boric Acid for Long-Term Prevention
Applying boric acid powder along ant trails and entry points provides long-term sugar ant prevention. The powder sticks to ants’ bodies and then gets ingested back at the nest when they groom themselves. This causes toxicity and eventual lethality.
Focus on using boric acid in out of sight areas indoors along baseboards, under appliances, behind furniture, and underneath cabinets. Apply light layers in dry areas only, avoiding countertops and shelves. Reapply boric acid if ant trails reappear. Wear gloves and keep boric acid away from children and pets.
Make Your Own Natural Repellent Sprays
You can make DIY sprays with essential oils that deter sugar ants. Just mix 15-20 drops of peppermint, lemon, or eucalyptus oil into a spray bottle filled with 2 cups of water. Shake well and spray onto ant trails, around door and window frames, and along other potential ant entryways. Reapply daily as it loses potency.
The strong scent overwhelms sugar ants’ sense of smell so they have trouble finding food. This natural ant repellent spray offers immediate yet short-term relief. Consider combining with boric acid for long-lasting prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Rid of Sugar Ants
How do you get rid of sugar ants naturally?
Some easy natural ways to get rid of sugar ants include using essential oil sprays, sealing up food sources, and sprinkling boric acid powder in out of sight areas. Maintaining clean surfaces free of sugary spills and residues also helps repel sugar ants without harsh chemicals.
What scent will keep sugar ants away?
Strong scents from essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, and lemon oil deter sugar ants. They contain compounds that overwhelm sugar ants’ sense of smell so the ants have difficulty detecting food sources.
Why do I suddenly have sugar ants?
Sugar ants enter homes in search of sugary foods and moisture. Common culprits for sudden sugar ant invasions include: a water leak or recent flooding providing moisture, keeping pet food bowls out, and having fruit trees or plants near your home. Identify and remove attractants.
Will vinegar get rid of sugar ants?
Yes, vinegar kills and repels ants! Wipe down surfaces with undiluted vinegar to remove sugary residues that attract ants. You can also spray a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water directly onto ant trails to disrupt their scent pathways. Vinegar ruins the scent signals sugar ants use to follow trails and locate food.
Are sugar ants bad?
Sugar ants aren’t harmful, but can quickly become a nuisance in homes because they feast on beloved sugary foods. While not aggressive, sugar ants can contaminate food surfaces when foraging. Getting rid of sugar ants using natural methods is the best solution to prevent kitchen invasions.
Conclusion
With a little diligence, you can kick those pesky sugar ants to the curb using natural ant deterrents and removal of attractants. Focus on eliminating their food sources, maintaining clean surfaces, using boric acid powder, and disrupting ants’ scents with natural essential oil sprays. Incorporate a combination of these easy, effective methods to rid your home of sugar ants for good.