Sugar Ants are a species of ant that invade homes in search of food and water. They can be quite difficult to control, but with a few tips you can help minimize their numbers and prevent them from entering your home.
Sugar ants are actually very similar to carpenter ants, but they tend to nest in softer materials like wood and plant matter, unlike the hollow logs used by carpenter ants to build their colonies. Because of this, you may notice some differences between the two ants, but they are the same in terms of size and behavior.
One of the biggest problems with Sugar Ants is that they are very determined and can quickly grow into large infestations. Their small sizes allow them to slip through cracks and crevices with ease, and once inside they can spread throughout your home by following pheromone trails that lead them to new food sources. They are especially fond of water, so they are often seen in kitchens and bathrooms where they can find moisture sources such as water droplets on countertops or in sinks.
Once an ant finds a food or water source, it lays a trail of pheromones for the rest of the colony to follow, and the result is a mass invasion. Because of their tiny size, sugar ants are also adept at entering through vents and other minuscule openings around the house.
They are often spotted indoors in the kitchen and foraging on countertops, but they can also be found in sinks, cabinets, and near pet food and spilled drinks. They can also be found in the garden, where they are attracted to the sweet juices of aphids and other insects that damage plants.
If you have plants in your yard that are attractive to ants, you can protect them by trimming the branches to avoid overcrowding and using double-sided tape to mark tree trunks where they are close to the ground. This will make it much more difficult for ants to climb up the trees and access the fruit.
The best way to reduce sugar ant populations is to eliminate their food sources. This means keeping kitchen surfaces clean and removing traces of food and drink, sealing foods in airtight containers, and emptying the trash on a regular basis. You can also spray any outdoor ant mounds with an insecticide that is labeled for use against ants. Just be sure to follow all instructions carefully, and do not spray surfaces that are likely to come into contact with children or pets until the spray has fully dried. Alternatively, you can also purchase natural repellents that are effective against these ants, including peppermint oil, lemon juice, and scented candles. But if you want to be sure you’ve eliminated the problem completely, then calling in a professional exterminator is always the best option. They will be able to locate and destroy the ant colony at its source. This is the only way to ensure long-lasting results.