{"id":11090,"date":"2024-05-19T22:05:49","date_gmt":"2024-05-19T22:05:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/?p=11090"},"modified":"2024-05-19T22:05:49","modified_gmt":"2024-05-19T22:05:49","slug":"how-to-get-rid-of-sugar-ants-diy-sugar-ant-killer-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/?p=11090","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Rid of Sugar Ants: DIY Sugar Ant Killer Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Come springtime, sugar ants will begin to invade homes in search of food and water. Though these ants aren\u2019t dangerous to humans, they\u2019re rather annoying pests that can be difficult to control. <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s everything you need to know about getting rid of sugar ants \u2014 from which\u00a0natural remedies<\/a>\u00a0and chemical solutions are best to prevention methods that keep these ants from coming back.<\/p>\n

What Are Sugar Ants?<\/h2>\n

Sugar ants, or\u00a0banded sugar ants<\/em>, are small black ants native to Australia and exclusive to that part of the world. When I think of the term sugar ants, I sometimes think of pavement ants or pharaoh ants\u2014both common household ants. Pavement ants are black or reddish brown with pale legs while pharaoh ants are yellow or light brown.<\/p>\n

Another interesting term for sugar ants is odorous house ants because they produce a phermone when killed that even humans can smell. If you have a sugar ant problem, chances are you\u2019ve smelled this but just didn\u2019t know it. <\/p>\n

These ants are attracted to sweet foods and all varieties of sugary foods and scraps. They also eat fats, proteins (obtained from eating other insects), and plant pollen. Once they find a food source, they\u2019ll haul food back to their nest for the rest of the colony.<\/p>\n

How to Identify Sugar Ants<\/h2>\n

There are so many ant species that it can become a challenge to identify one from the other. Let\u2019s break down some of their differences from black ants and other types of ants. <\/p>\n

Size and Color<\/h3>\n

Sugar ants are extremely small, being around 1\/8 inch long at most. Their bodies range from light yellowish-brown to reddish-brown in color. They have darker abdomens compared to their lighter colored head and thorax area.<\/p>\n

Antennae <\/h3>\n

Take a close look at their antennae, which have a very distinct build. Sugar ant antennae have a rigid \u201celbow\u201d joint about 1\/3 of the way from the head, with the longer end being the antenna itself. This elbow antenna is a sure giveaway.<\/p>\n

Nesting Sites<\/h3>\n

Inside homes, sugar ants typically nest in warm, moist areas like wall voids, under floors, or around hot water pipes and heating systems. Outside nests are shallow under mulch, stones or sidewalk cracks.<\/p>\n

Type<\/h3>\n

There are several types of sugar ants, including those that live outdoors and come indoors to eat, as well as others that prefer to live and feed inside your home. Outdoor sugar ants can include acrobat ants, false honey ants, or rover ants. Some common indoor sugar ants are carpenter ants, pavement ants, and pharaoh ants.<\/p>\n

Where Do Sugar Ants Come From?<\/h2>\n

Most sugar ants come from outside your home. They have about\u00a0four to five times more odor receptors than other insects and can smell food and follow scent trails through cracks, crevices, vents, and other openings in your home and foundation. <\/p>\n

Only one ant needs to find an entry point. Once an ant finds a food or water supply, it lays a pheromone trail\u2014a basic scent trail\u2014for other ants to follow.<\/p>\n

Sugar ants also come from existing nests inside your home. Their nests are typically in undisturbed spaces, such as inside walls or basements.<\/p>\n

How To Get Rid of Sugar Ants: DIY Solutions<\/h2>\n

Before getting rid of sugar ants, first locate and then follow their visible trail as far as you can\u2014this will help you determine their entry point into your home and give you a starting point for remediation. <\/p>\n

After locating the trail and entry point, decide which type of natural or chemical method you want to use. Here are a few different forms of ant control:<\/p>\n

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