How to Get Rid of Sugar Ants in Your Home

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Effective ant removal and prevention tips
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Ants may not be as unsightly as some other insects, but one of the last places you want to see them is on your kitchen counter or windowsill. Although they won’t cause serious harm to you or your home, they should stay where they belong—outside! But how do you eliminate sugar ants, and what drove them to your house anyway? In this guide, we’ll teach you all the home remedies you need to keep them outside for good.

Proven Ways to Get Rid of Sugar Ants

Seal off any cracks and crevices with caulk and store sugary foods in storage containers. Spray an insecticide on any access points around your home. Also place ant baits near entry points.

Section 1 of 3:

How to Get Rid of Sugar Ants

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    Sugar ants are small creatures capable of getting through the smallest holes or cracks. Scan common areas like the kitchen, bathroom, and doors or windows for potential access points. Use silicone caulk , spackle , or wood filler to seal damaged areas. [1]
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    Sugar ants have earned their name for being attracted to sugar-filled products like candy, fruit, honey, and soda. So, after using sugar products, wipe the counters and sweep the floors for any lingering crumbs. Instead of leaving food out in the open, safely store it in plastic containers. [2] Some say sugar ants hate the smell of plastic, too!
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    Opt for a non-repellent insecticide spray , if possible. Unlike repellent sprays, non-repellent sprays prevent ants from detecting it, allowing them to bring the poisonous solution to their colonies. Spritz the solution in the affected areas. [3]
    • Non-repellent spray may be toxic or harmful to children and pets.
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    Ant baits are a safe alternative for households with children and pets since they reduce contact with any toxic chemicals. They act as a food source for ants, so ensuring you have enough bait is important. The ants will carry the bait back and spread it within their colonies. Leave the bait in suspected areas for 3 to 4 days until you see no more signs of feeding ants. [4]
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    Select a sugar treat that will capture a sugar ant's attention, like peanut butter, jam, or corn syrup. You don’t need a lot of boric acid to make an effective bait. Simply combine 1  tsp (0.33 US tbsp) of boric acid per 2  c (32 US tbsp) of your selected sugary treat. This will be enough to attract them while killing them efficiently. Place the bait inside bottle caps, pieces of foil, or soda straws. Place them wherever needed. [5]
    • Some people have found success mixing boric acid, white sugar, and warm water to make a thick paste. [6]
    • Boric acid can be poisonous for animals, so avoid using it if you have pets. [7]
    • You can also use Borax instead of boric acid since Borax is commonly used in ant-killing products. [8]
    • Use disposable gloves when handling boric acid or Borax.
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    Some people have successfully used odorous household ingredients, like white vinegar, essential oils, and coffee grounds, to get rid of ants. [9] While they may not be as effective as the proven methods above, it can be worth a shot if you have any of these ingredients on hand!
    • Combine one part of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle to remove a sugar ant trail. [10]
    • Saturate a cotton ball or microfiber cloth with essential oils like peppermint, lemongrass, or tea tree. Place them in problem areas. [11]
    • Scatter used coffee grounds where the ants are. It’s a slow way to repel ants from your home. [12]
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    If the solutions above don’t work and ants keep returning, it’s time to call an exterminator. A professional will have powerful insecticides that aren’t commonly available to rid your household of the infiltration.
    • Cost: Hiring an ant exterminator can cost between $80 to $500, depending on the size of your home and the severity. [13]
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Section 2 of 3:

Identifying & Destroying a Sugar Ant Nest

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    Look for a mound of soil or wood outside your home. Sugar ants have odor receptors that are four to five times stronger than other insects, and they’re attracted to sweet and sugary-smelling foods like candy, spilled soda, and fruit. Generally, a nest will be outside under cement slabs or in the ground, but it can also be found in wall voids, ceilings, and crawlspaces. [14]
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    To remove a sugar ant nest, flood the small hole atop the mound with running water from a garden hose for 5 to 10 minutes. You can also pour boiling water over the nest. [15]
    • Avoid using harmful chemicals, as this may affect other animals. [16]
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Section 3 of 3:

What causes sugar ants?

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    If you feel embarrassed about having an ant problem—don’t be! No matter how much you clean your home, one soda or piece of candy can have them crawling home. However, they’re also attracted to moisture, so damp areas and standing water make them appear in the bathroom, too. [17]
    • Similarly, if you have a backyard garden with fruit plants or sweet vegetables, like sweet potatoes or yams, sugar ants may build a nest in your garden.
    • Sugar ants are the most common ants found in homes.

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I get rid of flying ants inside a wall?
    Alessandra Mendes
    Cleaning Specialist
    Alessandra Mendes is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Cleaning Glow. With ten years of experience, Alessandra and her team specialize in providing residential cleaning services in the San Francisco Bay Area. All members of the Cleaning Glow team have completed thorough background checks.
    Alessandra Mendes
    Cleaning Specialist
    Expert Answer
    To eliminate flying ants from a wall cavity, it's crucial to identify the type of ant infestation (sugar ants, pavement ants, carpenter ants, and possibly termites) to ensure appropriate treatment. Flying ants are typically observed during their nuptial flights, marking their breeding season, with winged males ready to mate and females becoming new queens. Once the ants are located in the wall cavity, indicative of a nearby colony, chemical intervention is often necessary. This involves using insecticides or ant baits specifically formulated for indoor use, applied directly into the affected area according to the manufacturer's instructions. It's essential to seal any entry points post-treatment to prevent re-infestation. Monitoring the treated area for effectiveness and repeating treatment is advisable. To prevent future infestations, take preventive measures such as sealing cracks, removing food sources, and maintaining cleanliness, along with regular inspections to detect early signs of ant activity. 
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  • Question
    How can I prevent ants from getting inside our house?
    Chris Parker
    Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control
    Chris Parker is the Founder of Parker Eco Pest Control, a sustainable pest control service in Seattle, Washington. Since 2016, Chris has been specializing in Integrated Pest Management and doesn’t use any chemicals for pest removal. He offers removal services for ants, rodents, fleas, spiders, wasps, and more. Chris is a certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator in Washington State and received his bachelor’s from the University of Washington.
    Chris Parker
    Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control
    Expert Answer
    To prevent ants from your home, start by maintaining a clear perimeter around your house. Trim trees and bushes, ensuring they're at least one foot away from the foundation and roofline. This prevents ants from using vegetation as a bridge to access your home. Additionally, keep garbage and storage materials at least one foot away from your house to eliminate potential ant attractions. Don't forget that trees can grow over your roof, so it's crucial to create a barrier around your home to prevent ants from bypassing any insecticides you've applied to the perimeter.
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  • Question
    What's the difference between sugar ants and carpenter ants?
    Chris Parker
    Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control
    Chris Parker is the Founder of Parker Eco Pest Control, a sustainable pest control service in Seattle, Washington. Since 2016, Chris has been specializing in Integrated Pest Management and doesn’t use any chemicals for pest removal. He offers removal services for ants, rodents, fleas, spiders, wasps, and more. Chris is a certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator in Washington State and received his bachelor’s from the University of Washington.
    Chris Parker
    Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control
    Expert Answer
    So the primary difference between the carpenter ant and the sugar ant lies in their size and behavior. Carpenter ants are typically larger and black in color. They are known for their wood-eating habits, unlike sugar ants. Carpenter ants cause damage through their nesting behavior, which often includes chewing inside wood structures. Signs of a carpenter ant infestation may include the sound of chewing within wood as well as the presence of shavings or dried shavings around nesting areas. While sugar ants are smaller in size and are attracted to sugary and sweet substances rather than wood.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/got-ants-eliminate-them-with-ipm
      2. ↑ https://extension.oregonstate.edu/ask-extension/featured/how-control-household-ants
      3. ↑ https://www.homedepot.com/c/ab/how-to-get-rid-of-ants/9ba683603be9fa5395fab903932aefc
      4. ↑ https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/tips-for-effective-ant-baiting
      5. ↑ https://www-aes.tamu.edu/files/2014/06/Managing-Household-Ant-Pests.pdf
      6. ↑ https://www.food.com/recipe/get-rid-of-ants-ants-ants-203233
      7. ↑ http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/boricgen.html
      8. ↑ https://www-aes.tamu.edu/files/2014/06/Managing-Household-Ant-Pests.pdf
      9. ↑ https://www.yalepest.com/mix-water-with-vinegar-to-kill-carpenter-ants/
      1. ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/pest-control/guides/sugar-ants/
      2. ↑ https://www.homesandgardens.com/gardens/how-to-get-rid-of-sugar-ants
      3. ↑ https://www.eatwell101.com/natural-ways-to-reuse-coffee-grounds
      4. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/pest-control/ant-exterminator-cost/
      5. ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/got-ants-eliminate-them-with-ipm
      6. ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/pest-control/guides/sugar-ants/
      7. ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/got-ants-eliminate-them-with-ipm
      8. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/pest-control/get-rid-of-sugar-ants/

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