Noticing ants in homes is a worrisome sight because the number of ants you usually see is just a trailer. The ants follow the scent trail left behind by their fellow ants. Therefore, more ants from the ant colony follow the trail and join their fellow ants. However, the positive thing is that getting rid of these sugar ants is possible with some easy DIY hack or calling a professional, in case of heavy infestation. This blog highlights the different DIY ways to get rid of sugar ants and some preventive tips to keep these ants at bay.
Method to Get Rid of Sugar Ants
Getting rid of these ants requires a well-planned and targeted approach that includes identifying their trail, placing bait in the infested area, and many more steps. Here are the steps:
1. Locate the Ant's Trail
The primary step to get rid of sugar ants is to locate their trail. Find out their entry points, and when you notice them in multiple locations, it could be an indication of multiple entry points.
2. Prepare the Bait and Keep It Near the Entry Points
The second step is to prepare the bait using some household essentials. Here are some of the common DIY baits.
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White Vinegar- Prepare the solution using equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray it on the floors, countertops, and any entry points like crevices or entryways. This method helps remove pheromones left by ants, which makes it difficult for ants to establish the path.
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Essential Oil- Essential oils like peppermint oil work as an effective ant repellent. All you need to do is add 10-15 drops of essential oil to a cup of water, pour the mixture into a spray bottle, and spray it near the entry points or in areas where you identify ants. The alternate way is to soak cotton balls in oil and leave them in infested areas.
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Diatomaceous Earth- Diatomaceous (DE) is another effective and safe way to get rid of ants, even with pets at home. Sprinkle this fine powder near the ant bait trails around the entry points or along the baseboards. DE dehydrates ants and helps get rid of them.
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Boric Acid and Sugar- Prepare a DIY bait using ½ teaspoon of boric acid, 8 teaspoons of sugar, and a little water. Boric acid works effectively because it’s a slow-acting ant killer. Sugar is used to attract the ants. Merely soak cotton balls in the mixture and place them around the infested areas.
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Baking Soda and Sugar- Prepare the mixture using equal parts of baking soda and sugar, and sprinkle the mixture around the infested areas. It will help get rid of sugar ants.
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Lemon Juice and Bay Leaves- There are two ways to use lemon juice: one is to squeeze lemon juice around the entry points, and the second is to prepare a mixture of lemon juice and water and spray it around the infested areas. You can also crush bay leaves and make fine powder, then sprinkle the powder around entryways and kitchen cabinets. The other way to use bay leaves is to put them in the jar when storing dry food to ensure ants don’t enter the jar.
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Coffee Grounds- They can effectively deter pests. Coffee grounds alone can’t eliminate sugar ants, but they can deter ants. All you need to do is sprinkle used coffee grounds along the entryways and perimeter of the house. Coffee grounds work effectively when they are mixed with bait in lower concentrations.
3. Seal All the Entry Points
One of the best ways to prevent ant infiltration is to seal entry points such as cracks around windows and doors, gaps around the pipes and wiring.
4. Maintain a Clean House
A clutter-free house can be ant-free. All you have to do is maintain a mess-free house, especially the areas with high chances of ant infiltration. After every use, clean the countertops with vinegar, store food in air-tight boxes, and empty trash bins regularly.
Some Preventive Tips to Keep Sugar Ants at Bay
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If you identify any ant hills around your house, pour boiling water over the hills to eliminate them.
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Check the plumbing system regularly and get repair work done, if needed, to prevent moisture buildup around the leaks.
Despite trying all the methods to get rid of sugar ants, if you still notice ant trails, it’s time to seek professional help. This could be because of larger infestations than you had expected, but the professional knows the trick to tackle the problem.
Conclusion
Sugar ants can be eliminated using easy DIY hacks discussed in this blog. If you notice a trail of sugar ants, select any of the above DIY methods and effectively get rid of ants. If, despite trying all the methods, ant trails are seen, take help from local pest control services.