Sugar ants are attracted to sweet foods and can march in long lines through your kitchen searching for crumbs, spilled syrup or any other food that may be tainted. These tiny insects are a nuisance, but they can be managed with some simple home remedies.

Store Food in Containers

The most effective method for keeping ants away is to store food in sealed containers, particularly in the kitchen. Even trace amounts of sugar left behind on countertops or a forgotten candy wrapper under your sofa can lure ants into your home, where they will leave pheromone trails for other ants to follow. Using airtight plastic containers will help, but you should also clean up after yourself as much as possible and keep your counters clear of any food residue to avoid attracting sugar ants.

Monitor Moisture Levels

In addition to storing food in containers, you should also check and fix leaky pipes, clogged drains and other moisture problems around your home. This will deter ant infestations and prevent the spread of disease among your family members and pets.

Sweep or Vacuum Regularly

After every meal, sweep or vacuum your kitchen floors to remove ant tracks and food particles. This will not only make your home more sanitary, but it will also help to prevent Sugar Ants Removal from traveling from other parts of the house to the kitchen. Taking the trash out regularly is another good practice, as holes in garbage bags can attract ants and lead them to discarded food sources.

Place Natural Repellents Near Infestations

You can use a variety of home-made or commercial sprays to repel sugar ants, but the best and most effective options are those that contain plant compounds. Sprays like Orange Guard and EcoSMART Organic Ant & Roach Killer, for example, contain plant extracts that will both kill and deter the pests. Other options include placing cinnamon or peppermint oil in areas where you have spotted sugar ants and surrounding your home with plants that are known to deter the insects, such as mint or bay leaves.

Know When to Call a Professional

Even with the best prevention methods in place, sometimes a sugar ant infestation will happen. When it does, call your local pest control company for expert assistance. A trained field technician will be able to identify the ant species, locate the colony and destroy it effectively. They will also provide you with long-term solutions to ensure these unwanted visitors never return. Contact Take Care Termite Pest Control today to schedule your appointment! We offer both integrated and green methods of pest control, so you can rest assured that we will provide the most effective and efficient solution to your sugar ant problem. We are a family-owned and operated business, so you can trust that we will always put our customers first. We look forward to hearing from you soon!