So long, not so sweet sugar ants

Posted: Thursday, June 26, 2008

FORT WORTH - We call them sugar ants, but they certainly aren't sweet to have around. The teeny-tiny pests can quickly become a problem.

Sugar ants are properly known as pharaoh ants. They have pale-yellow-to-reddish bodies and are between 1/16th and 1/12th-inch long.

What they eat: Pretty much anything. They like sweets, such as syrups, sugar and fruits, but they'll eat meat and pet food, too.

How to control them: Keep food and crumbs cleaned off kitchen sinks, countertops and floors. You can also wipe areas with vinegar or bleach to discourage the ants from returning.

How to get rid of them: Baiting them is the most effective way to get rid of an infestation. Spraying with insecticides can cause the colony to bud - or break apart - and make the problem worse.

-Sources: Landers Pest Control, Texas Agricultural Extension Service