Tips to Control Sugar Ants

If you discover that you have a sugar ants problem, their presence may be because you are unconscious or unaware of the environment created for them. This includes entry points along with food and water sources that are provided. Like rodents and other insect pests ants are forgers that are always scouting or on the lookout for food and a water source. The key to controlling a sugar ants infestation is getting to the root of the problem, once these problems are rectified or fixed which requires a few changes on your path your sugar ants problem will be over.

There are two ways to manage a sugar ants infestation either allow a professional pest company to bring control to this pest which will require a fee or you can DIY the job by simply following this guide that provides helpful tips that have been tried, tested and proven to give good results in managing these insect pests.

Sugar Ants Identification

Sugar ants range in size from about 2 to 15 mm. The winged male sugar ants can be black to brown, the female worker sugar ants however have orange-colored bodies.

Symptoms that You Have Sugar Ants

Here are signs to look for if you suspect you have sugar ants.

•  You may see them actively moving about in your kitchen or where foods are consumed. Sugar ants are most active at night.
• Damage packages that contain sweets have tears and holes can also be a sign that the culprits are sugar ants
• Look for a small amount of dirt or mounds in areas that are sheltered which can be an indication of the entrance to ant nest.
•  Noticing sugar ants in a trail or on a line that leads to food particles and sweet drink spills.

Sealing Entry Points

One of the first steps in the control of sugar ants is to seal all entry points.

• Check for cracks or openings around windows and doors and seal with caulk.
• Window screens that are damaged should be repaired or replaced.
• Plumbing and electrical pipes coming from outside into your home may have small gaps or space around them that ants can use as entry points. Gaps or openings can be sealed with caulk.
• If cracks or crevices are discovered in your home’s foundation seal them with caulk or other type sealant base product.
• Insects can gain access indoors under doorways, the installation of a door sweep/door sweeps will keep sugar ants and other insects out.
• If windowsills and baseboards have small spaces that act as an entry point for sugar ants and other insect pests seal them with caulk.

Eliminating Food Sources

One of the reasons why you are seeing sugar ants is because they are in search of a food source, forgers will seek out food sources by scouting, they will not only take this food back to their colony but will leave behind a scent known as pheromone. Worker ants within the colony will pick up on this scent and will create a trail leading to the food source. This is why you may see an ant trail that can become and infestation.

•  The lids on indoor and outdoor trash containers must be kept on at all times.
• Open packages that contain sweet ingredients should be sealed and kept in air-tight containers.
• Once food has been prepared and consumed, thoroughly sweep or vacuum areas to remove all food particles.
•  Soda, juice, or other sweet drink spills should be wiped up,  the use of a clean cloth that’s dipped in water and soap liquid should keep the surface clean.
• Wipe down the stove and kitchen countertops to remove grease.
• Don’t allow dirty dishes to remain overnight, wash them right away once used.
• Keep your outdoor living area free of clutter and debris.

Eliminating All Water Sources

Like rodents and other insect pests ants need water to survive, removing water sources will discourage sugar ants.

• Water pipes that are leaking both in and outdoors must be repaired.
• Open containers that are outdoors that collect rainwater should be removed because these open containers will encourage ants, German roaches, Amercian roaches, Smokey brown roaches, Oriental roaches, rats, mice, mosquitoes, and other pests.
• Plants that collect water in the center cup can also be a breeding ground for ants, rodents, and other insects. A turkey baster can help with the removal of water from a plant’s center cup.
• The saucers of indoor and outdoor plants that collect water should be kept empty at all times.
• Both leaky faucets in and outdoors should be repaired.

Controlling Sugar Ants with Home-Made Remedies

Before the use of insecticides, your first line of defense should be to try home remedies that are safe around children and pets.

• Lemon juice and water act as a natural insect repellent, mix 1 part lemon juice with 3 parts water, and add this mixture to a 32 oz spray bottle. Shake thoroughly and apply around windowsills, door thresholds, and ant trails.
•  Locate areas that have high ant activity, garden areas your home’s foundation, near pavement cracks… Carefully pour the boiling water directly into the ant’s nest to eliminate them.
• Coffee grounds will keep ants away, sprinkle a thin layer in garden beds where there is ant activity, poured coffee grounds on the ground along the perimeter of your home. After rainfall coffee grounds must be applied to maintain its effectiveness.
• A solution of dish liquid soap and water is effective to kill sugar ants, mix this solution thoroughly and pour it into the nest. The soapy water will clog the organ through which ants breathe killing them.
•  Peppermint has a great scent which ants hate, mix 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil with 2 cups of water. Place this mixture in a 32 oz spray bottle and apply the mixture where ants were spotted.
• Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a 32 oz spray bottle, shake the solution well, and apply around countertops and windowsill. This natural repellent acts as a barrier, repeat this treatment regularly.
• Mix 1 part powdered sugar with 1 part baking soda, add this mixture to small containers and place near the ants trail. Ants will be attracted to the sugar and take this mixture back wiping out the entire colony.
• Ants dislike the scent of bay leaves, place bay leaves in areas where ants are spotted.  Because ants hate the scent they will stay away.
• Use Food-grade diatomaceous earth by lightly sprinkling near ant trails and entry points, As sugar ants come in contact with diatomaceous earth will dehydrate them bringing about elimination. Reapply as needed especially after rainfall.

Controlling Sugar Ants with Insecticides and baits.

The use of insecticides, powders, dust, and baits is an effective way to control sugar ants activity but before making applications of any of these products always read and follow the manufacturer’s directions on the label for safety and for the best results.

• TERRO T300B Liquid Ant Killer bait stations will manage ant activity, this bait attracts and will kill several types of ant species including sugar ants.
• Insecticides sold at your local supermarket or hardware store that go under different trade names or brands can be purchased, these insecticides do not have a long-lasting residual effect but are contact sprays providing a quick knockdown on contact and must be reapplied to manage sugar ants.
• Dust and powders can be sprinkled on ant mounds outdoors killing ants on contact, one such product that can be used is Acephate.  When using this product make sure that children and pets don’t have access. Read and follow the manufacturer’s directions on the label for the best results.
• Boric Acid and Sugar will help to control ants but a word of caution here keep this mixture out of the reach of children and pets, however, if children and pets are in the home it is better not to use this mixture. But if your home is children and pet- free then here is how this works. Mix 1 1/2 tablespoons of Borax and 1/2 cup sugar with warm water to create a paste. Now place this paste on pieces of cardboard and place where ant activity is high or where there is a colony.

Conclusion

Controlling sugar ant infestation is that simple, all it takes is following the information in this guide and you will be on your way to a sugar ant-free zone, I have had to deal with these pesky little critters on several occasions and have always gotten good results now it’s your turn to stop sugar ants in their tracks. Don’t allow sugar ants to take over, take action now and bring an end to their activity.