Many people find ants hoarding around spilled maple syrup or other sweet items on the counter and refer to them as ‘sugar ants.’ The nickname is appropriate, as ants are attracted to sweet food. However, the term sugar ants actually refers to a number of different species that are attracted to sweet items in the home. Sugar ants are usually quite small, and they will persistently invade your cabinets, sinks, and other areas in your kitchen. If you have seen ants around your home, it is important to understand them, so you can also know how to get rid of them.
What are Sugar Ants?
When it comes to their diet, ants fall into one of three categories. Those are sweet-eaters, grease-eaters, and ants that eat everything. Sugar ants are found throughout the United States, and they should not be confused for the banded sugar ant, which is only found in Australia. The only similarity between the banded sugar ant and the variety of ants dubbed as sugar ants in the country is that they are both attracted to sugary, sweet substances.
What Species of Ants are Sugar Ants?
Several types of varieties of both indoor and outdoor ants are considered sugar ants. Common sugar ants that remain largely outdoors are as follows:
- Cornfield ants
- Acrobat ants
- Little black ants
- False honey ants
- Rover ants
Common sugar ants that remain largely inside are as follows:
- Carpenter ants
- Argentine ants
- Pavement ants
- Odorous house ants
- Pharaoh ants
A pest control company can identify the exact type of ant you are dealing with when an infestation sets in, either inside or out.
What are Sugar Ants Attracted To?
As their name suggests, sugar ants are mostly attracted to sugary, sweet substances. Of course, sugar is available in many different forms, so it is useful to understand what type of sugary substances these ants are attracted to. The most obvious forms of sugar ants are attracted to include syrup, powdered sugar, and white and brown sugar.
However, sugar ants will eat just about any sugary substance, such as fruit, soft drinks, nectar, candy, cake, and honeydew. While honeydew can of course refer to the fruit, it also refers to the liquid that is rich in sugar and that is secreted by certain insects, such as aphids. These insects are commonly found on houseplants.
How Do Sugar Ants Get In?
The first question people often ask themselves after a sugar ant infestation sets in is how they got inside in the first place. Sugar ants get inside largely the same way other insects and pests do. They will find gaps around windows and doors, cracks in the foundation, and tears in window and door screens to make their way inside, looking for sugary food and substances.
How to Get Rid of Sugar Ants
Sugar ants can be particularly difficult to get rid of. Ants lay down trails of pheromones that act as a beacon to other ants, calling them to a food source. Once they find a food source, they will continue going back to it, and they will also alert other ants to the nearby food. Sugar ants in particular are also very persistent, which adds to the challenge of getting rid of them. Still, there are ways you can control sugar ants inside and outside your home, including:
- Seal access points: The best way to deal with a sugar ant infestation is to never have one in the first place. Seal all the gaps and cracks around your doors, windows, and anywhere else sugar ants may use to enter.
- Remove access to food: Obviously, you need to keep food in your home but that does not mean you have to provide easy access to it for the ants. Keep food in airtight containers and stored properly so it does not attract sugar ants.
- Lay bait: Baited traps are often the most effective way to eliminate sugar ants, but do not use just any that you find on the market. Speak to a professional ant control company that will have bait that is not only effective, but also safe for you and your entire family to fully get rid of the ants.
The above tips can help ensure that you never face a sugar ant problem and that if you do, you are properly prepared.
Call Our Professional Pest Control Company Today
Any time you are dealing with a pest problem, you should speak to a pest control company that can help you deal with it. At Pointe Pest Control, our professionalpest control experts can help you deal with sugar ants, and any other pest that is invading your space. Call us today at (866) 633-1573 or fill out our online form to schedule a free estimate.
