Sugar Ants: How to Get Rid of Them


Even after cleaning up, you somehow missed a splash of maple syrup on the kitchen counter. Now there are a hundred small bodies lined up from the back door to the countertop, anxiously awaiting the opportunity to take a dip in that now overcrowded, pool of sugar.

Are there sugar ants in your kitchen? And what’s the best way to get rid of sugar ants? If these sound like questions you’ve asked yourself before, read on.

Is it a sugar ant, or is it a sugar ant?

Almost any ant that is attracted to sugar is often referred to as a sugar ant. But that’s like calling all humans who eat vegetables, vegetarians. In fact, there is a type of ant called the “banded sugar ant.” This species is only found in Australia and has a special attraction to sugar. However, there are quite a few ants with a sweet spot for sweets.

do sugar ants like sugar?

Sugar is high in carbohydrates, an important nutrient for all animals. However, ants that are attracted to sugar may also consume other things. This includes fats, proteins (obtained by eating other insects) and even plant pollen.

How did I get a sugar ant infestation?

Ants have about four to five times more odor receptors than other insects. A hungry ant in search of carbohydrates can quickly sniff out a meal. Even trace amounts of food left out on counters or floors could be enough to lure a trail of ants into your home.

How do you get rid of sugar ants?

Deciding how to get rid of sugar ants in the kitchen, or how to get rid of sugar ants in the home, can be as simple as creating a prevention plan, or significantly more complex. Figuring out how to kill sugar ants can be an even greater challenge. Since getting rid of sugar ants throughout the house may require a different strategy than when you are trying to get rid of sugar ants in the kitchen, let's look at those two questions separately.

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How do you prevent sugar ants in kitchen areas?

Ants found somewhere in the kitchen are most likely being drawn in by food. To get this problem under control, start with a clean slate. Give your kitchen a thorough cleaning. Throw out old food, clean oven tops, sweep behind large objects and throw out any garbage. Check the garbage bin also, and clean out any debris. If your ant problem persists, there are other ant removal tips worth considering.

How do you prevent sugar ants in house areas outside of the kitchen?

If you’ve discovered ants outside of your kitchen, it’s time to do some investigative work. If you locate a different food source that is drawing in the ants (e.g., a leftover candy bar shoved in the couch or a secret stash of fruit chews under the bed), then the same cleaning rules will apply. If you cannot find a source, however, you may be dealing with a different type of ant. There are a few strange things that attract ants. There are also many different ant species. Perhaps the one of most concern is carpenter ants. If you find ants near areas with wet or damaged wood, you might want to consider calling a pest management professional.

What kills sugar ants?

There are a number of home remedies and over-the-counter products that promise to kill sugar ants. However, many of these products are not safe to handle. One of the best solutions for handling a pest problem is to call a pest management professional who can help you assess which problem areas of your home need to be addressed.

Discovering a sugar ant infestation doesn’t have to mean the end of pancake breakfasts. Just remember to clean up the leftover syrup, investigate any non-food related ant problems and reach out to a professional for help when you need it.