How to Get Rid of Sugar Ants: Complete Guide

Inga Cryton

Sugar ants can quickly become a nuisance in your home, invading kitchens and pantries in search of sweet foods. These persistent pests are small but mighty when it comes to finding their way into your space. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how to identify sugar ants, understand their behavior, and most importantly, how to get rid of sugar ants for good.

Quick Picks: Best Products to Eliminate Sugar Ants

1

TERRO Liquid Ant Bait Stations
TERRO Liquid Ant Bait Stations
Editor’s Choice

2

AMDRO Kills Ants Stakes
AMDRO Kills Ants Stakes
Best for Outdoor Use

3

EcoRaider Ant Killer
EcoRaider Ant Killer
Natural Option

What Are Sugar Ants?

The term “sugar ant” is commonly used to describe any small ant attracted to sweet substances. These ants are persistent invaders that enter homes in search of food, particularly sugary or sweet items. While Australia has a specific species called banded sugar ants, in North America, the term often refers to pavement ants, pharaoh ants, or odorous house ants.

What Do Sugar Ants Look Like?

Sugar antsSugar ants vary in appearance depending on the specific species. They typically range from 2-15mm in size with different coloration patterns. Males usually have wings and are black, while females often have an orange-brown body. Each colony has a queen that remains inside the nest, sending worker ants to forage for food.

Banded sugar ants have visible “bands” around their midsection, while common house ants are smaller with a more uniform color. Their small size allows them to enter homes through the tiniest cracks and openings.

Sugar Ant Quick Facts

  • Size: 2-15mm
  • Color: Varies by species (black, brown, orange-brown)
  • Diet: Primarily sweet foods, but will eat other food sources
  • Habitat: Originally from forest or woodland areas, now common in urban settings
  • Colony size: Can contain thousands of ants

Seasonal Sugar Ant Behavior: When to Expect Them

Understanding the seasonal patterns of sugar ants can help you take preventative action before an infestation occurs. Sugar ants are most active during specific times of the year, with behavior varying by region and climate.

Sugar Ant Activity Calendar

Be prepared for sugar ant activity throughout the year with this seasonal guide:

Spring (March-May)

  • Peak Activity BeginsAs temperatures warm up, ant colonies become more active after winter dormancy.
  • Nest ExpansionQueens begin laying more eggs, causing rapid colony growth.
  • First Home InvasionsSugar ants start seeking food sources inside homes, particularly after spring rains.

Summer (June-August)

  • Maximum ActivityColonies reach peak size and foraging activity is at its highest.
  • Multiple Entry PointsAnts may find new ways into your home seeking water during dry periods.
  • New Colonies FormWinged reproductive ants emerge to start new colonies, potentially increasing problem areas.

Fall & Winter (September-February)

  • Preparing for WinterIn fall, ants intensify food collection to prepare for winter.
  • Indoor MigrationCooling temperatures may drive more ants indoors seeking warmth.
  • Reduced ActivityWinter brings dormancy in most regions, though indoor heating may keep indoor colonies active year-round.

The best time for preventative treatment is early spring, before colony activity reaches its peak. Setting up bait stations and sealing entry points in March can significantly reduce summer infestations.

How to Get Rid of Sugar Ants: 5-Step Action Plan

Eliminating sugar ants requires a systematic approach to ensure you’re not just killing the ants you see, but addressing the entire colony. Follow these five steps to rid your home of sugar ants permanently.

Sugar Ant Elimination: Quick Steps Summary

  1. Identify the AntsConfirm you’re dealing with sugar ants by observing their size, color, and attraction to sweet foods.
  2. Locate Entry PointsFind how ants are entering your home by following their trails to cracks, gaps, or openings.
  3. Deploy Bait StationsPlace ant baits near trails (but not on them) to kill the entire colony, including the queen.
  4. Apply InsecticidesUse targeted sprays around the perimeter and entry points, choosing natural options when necessary.
  5. Prevent Future InfestationsClean thoroughly, store food properly, and seal entry points to keep ants from returning.

Step 1: Identify the Ants

Identifying sugar antsThe first step in any ant control plan is proper identification. Sugar ants are small, thin, and light-colored. They get their name from their preference for sweet substances, so you’ll typically find them around food spills, particularly sugary items.

Watch their behavior – sugar ants will form orderly trails as they move between their food source and their nest. If you see ants consistently moving in a line, you’re likely dealing with sugar ants seeking food to bring back to their colony.

Identification Tip

To confirm you’re dealing with sugar ants, place a small amount of honey or syrup in an area where you’ve seen ant activity. If they quickly gather around the sweet bait, you’re most likely dealing with sugar ants.

Step 2: Find Their Point of Entry

Ant trails leading to entry pointsOnce you’ve identified the ants, locate how they’re entering your home. Sugar ants can access your house through:

  • Foundation cracks that provide easy access from the ground
  • Door thresholds with poor seals or gaps
  • Window frames with small openings
  • Utility lines where pipes, electrical, or phone lines enter the house
  • Floor gaps that allow ants to travel underneath and emerge inside

Follow the ant trail as far as possible to identify their entry point. Outside, look for small dirt mounds with a hole in the center, which may indicate a colony location.

Sugar ants have a remarkably strong sense of smell, allowing them to detect food sources from considerable distances. This heightened sensitivity is what enables them to find even tiny food particles in your home.

Step 3: Use Ant Bait Traps

Ant bait trapsBaiting is one of the most effective strategies for eliminating sugar ants because it targets the entire colony, not just the visible workers. Ant baits combine food attractants with slow-acting insecticides that allow worker ants to carry the poison back to the nest before dying.

Place bait stations near ant trails and entry points, but not directly on them (which may disrupt the pheromone trail). Ants will take the bait back to their colony, including to the queen, resulting in the elimination of the entire ant population.

1

TERRO Liquid Ant Bait Stations

Editor's Choice
TERRO Liquid Ant Bait Stations
Terro's liquid bait stations use borax (sodium tetraborate decahydrate) as their active ingredient. Ants are attracted to the sweet liquid bait and carry it back to their colony, effectively killing the entire nest over time.

How Does It Work

The liquid bait contains 5.4% borax in a sweet solution that worker ants find irresistible. When ants consume the bait, they don't die immediately - instead, they carry it back to the colony where it's shared with other ants, including the queen. This delayed action ensures the entire colony is eliminated, not just the visible worker ants.

How to Use

  • Place bait stations near visible ant trails or entry points
  • Do not place directly on ant trails to avoid disrupting their path
  • For best results, don't kill visible ants - allow them to carry bait back to the nest
  • Replace stations when they're empty or every 3 months

Pros

  • Pre-filled, ready-to-use stations eliminate mess
  • Highly effective against sugar ants
  • Works within 24-48 hours
  • Clear design lets you monitor bait level

Cons

  • May initially attract more ants as they feed on the bait
  • Liquid can dry out in hot environments
  • Must be kept away from children and pets

Click Here to Learn More
2

AMDRO Kills Ants Stakes

Best for Outdoor Use
AMDRO Ant Stakes
Amdro stakes are designed for outdoor use around the perimeter of your home. These stakes contain hydramethylnon, a slow-acting insecticide that allows foraging ants to bring the bait back to their colony.

How Does It Work

The stakes use a dual-action approach: first, they attract ants with a food-based bait; second, they deliver the active ingredient (1% hydramethylnon) which interferes with the ants' digestive system. The slow-acting nature ensures ants have time to share the bait throughout the colony, eliminating the entire nest.

How to Use

  • Place stakes around the perimeter of your home, spacing them 10-15 feet apart
  • Push stakes firmly into soil in areas where you've observed ant activity
  • For heavy infestations, place additional stakes near visible ant trails
  • Replace every 3 months for continuous protection

Pros

  • Easy to install with no mixing or measuring required
  • Weather-resistant design for outdoor use
  • Targets the colony source of your ant problem
  • Provides up to 3 months of protection
  • Made in the USA

Cons

  • Not suitable for indoor use
  • May be less effective in extremely wet conditions
  • Must be kept away from edible garden plants

Click Here to Learn More

Be patient with bait stations. Initially, you may see more ants as they’re attracted to the bait, but this means the treatment is working. Maintain consistent baiting and avoid killing the ants you see, as they need to carry the bait back to the colony.

Step 4: Apply Insecticides Strategically

Using insecticide sprayFor comprehensive ant control, especially for outdoor colonies, insecticides can complement your baiting strategy. There are various options available, from chemical solutions to natural alternatives.

Natural Ant Spray Options

If you prefer eco-friendly solutions, there are several effective natural insecticides for sugar ants:

3

EcoRaider Ant Killer

Natural Option
EcoRaider Natural Ant Killer
This natural spray uses plant-based ingredients to kill ants on contact while being safe around children and pets when used as directed. EcoRaider provides an eco-friendly alternative to traditional chemical insecticides.

How Does It Work

EcoRaider uses a proprietary blend of plant-based compounds including Lemongrass Oil and Geraniol that target insects' neuron receptors. These ingredients disrupt the ants' nervous system while being much less toxic to mammals. The formula kills on contact and creates a residual barrier that continues working for up to a month.

How to Use

  • Shake well before using
  • Spray directly on visible ants for immediate killing
  • Apply around entry points, baseboards, and ant trails
  • Can be used both indoors and outdoors
  • Reapply every 2-4 weeks as needed

Pros

  • Contains natural, plant-based ingredients
  • Safe for use around children and pets when used as directed
  • Kills on contact and provides residual protection
  • Can be used on a variety of surfaces
  • Pleasant essential oil scent rather than harsh chemical odor

Cons

  • May require more frequent application than chemical alternatives
  • Slightly more expensive than conventional insecticides
  • Takes longer to dry on surfaces

Click Here to Learn More

Homemade Ant Killer Recipes

You can also create effective ant-fighting solutions using common household ingredients:

Homemade Solution Ingredients Effectiveness How to Use Pros Cons
Vinegar Spray Equal parts white vinegar and water โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†
(Good for repelling)
Spray directly on ants and along their trails. Reapply daily or after cleaning. The strong smell disrupts their scent trails.
  • Inexpensive
  • Non-toxic
  • Safe around children and pets
  • Cleans surfaces while repelling ants
  • Strong odor
  • Temporary solution (needs frequent reapplication)
  • Doesn’t kill the colony
  • May damage certain surfaces (marble, granite)
Essential Oil Spray 10-15 drops of peppermint, clove, or tea tree oil in 1 cup of water with 1 tsp dish soap โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†
(Good repellent, kills on contact)
Spray around entry points, ant trails, and directly on ants. The soap breaks surface tension allowing oils to penetrate. Reapply every 2-3 days.
  • Pleasant scent
  • Natural solution
  • Effective at repelling multiple pest types
  • Kills on contact
  • More expensive than other homemade options
  • Oils may stain fabrics
  • Some essential oils can be harmful to pets
  • Requires frequent reapplication
Borax Sweet Bait 1 part borax to 3 parts honey or syrup, or 1/2 cup sugar, 1.5 Tbsp borax, 1.5 cups warm water โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
(Excellent for colony elimination)
Place small amounts on bottle caps near ant trails but away from pets and children. For liquid bait, soak cotton balls in mixture and place in shallow dishes.
  • Highly effective against entire colonies
  • Inexpensive ingredients
  • Long-lasting effect
  • Ants take it back to the nest
  • Toxic if ingested
  • Must be kept away from children and pets
  • Takes 24-48 hours to see results
  • Can be messy
Diatomaceous Earth Food-grade diatomaceous earth โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†
(Good barrier treatment)
Sprinkle a thin layer around entry points, baseboards, and ant trails. Can be mixed with sugar (10:1 ratio) to attract ants. Keep dry for effectiveness.
  • Food-grade version is non-toxic to humans
  • Effective against many insects
  • Long-lasting when kept dry
  • Works mechanically, not chemically
  • Can be messy/dusty
  • Ineffective when wet
  • Takes time to work
  • May cause respiratory irritation if inhaled
Lemon Juice Spray Equal parts lemon juice and water โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†
(Good repellent)
Spray around windowsills, doorways, and other entry points. The citrus oil and acid disrupts ant scent trails and acts as a deterrent.
  • Pleasant citrus scent
  • Safe for use around food
  • Non-toxic
  • Gentle cleaning properties
  • Needs frequent reapplication
  • Doesn’t kill ants
  • May damage some surfaces over time
  • Less effective than other options
Cornmeal Bait Plain cornmeal โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†
(Mixed results)
Sprinkle cornmeal in areas with ant activity. The theory is that ants cannot digest cornmeal properly, leading to eventual death after consumption.
  • Very safe around children and pets
  • Extremely inexpensive
  • Easy to clean up
  • Non-toxic
  • Limited scientific evidence of effectiveness
  • Very slow-acting
  • Inconsistent results
  • May actually feed ants temporarily
Baking Soda & Sugar Mix Equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†
(Moderate effectiveness)
Mix ingredients thoroughly and place small piles near ant trails. Sugar attracts ants while baking soda produces gas in their digestive system when consumed.
  • Ingredients commonly found at home
  • Inexpensive
  • Relatively safe compared to chemicals
  • Easy to apply
  • Mixed scientific evidence for effectiveness
  • Can attract other pests
  • Messy in humid environments
  • Slow-acting

While natural remedies like borax and diatomaceous earth are less toxic than chemical pesticides, they should still be kept away from children and pets. Always store homemade and commercial pest control products safely.

Step 5: Prevent Sugar Ants From Returning

Seal Up Cracks And Holes

Once you’ve eliminated your current ant problem, take these preventative measures to keep sugar ants from returning:

Clean Thoroughly

Wipe down counters, floors, and surfaces regularly with vinegar solution to remove food residue and disrupt scent trails. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight.

Store Food Properly

Keep food in airtight containers, especially sweets, syrups, and fruits. Refrigerate ripe fruits and clean up spills immediately.

Seal Entry Points

Use caulk to seal cracks in foundations, walls, and around windows and doors. Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens.

Creating a defensive perimeter can significantly reduce the chances of future infestations. Consider planting ant-repelling herbs like mint, lavender, or sage around your home’s foundation as a natural deterrent.

For long-term prevention, schedule periodic treatments around your home’s perimeter, especially during spring and summer when ant activity increases. Refreshing bait stations every 3 months can prevent new colonies from establishing.

Conclusion: Best Methods to Eliminate Sugar Ants

When dealing with sugar ants, a multi-faceted approach yields the best results. Baiting is the most effective long-term solution because it eliminates the entire colony, including the queen. For immediate relief, contact sprays and natural repellents can help manage visible ants while your baiting strategy works on the colony.

Remember that prevention is crucial for long-term success. By keeping your home clean, sealing entry points, and storing food properly, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of future sugar ant infestations.

By following this comprehensive 5-step plan, you can effectively eliminate sugar ants from your home and prevent them from returning, allowing you to enjoy a pest-free environment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sugar Ants

Do sugar ants bite?

Sugar ants have pincers that can physically bite, but their bites are generally not painful or dangerous. Unlike fire ants, sugar ants don’t typically inject venom. Some species may spray formic acid, which can cause minor skin irritation, but sugar ants are not considered dangerous to humans.

Will vinegar keep ants away from my home?

Yes, vinegar can be an effective ant deterrent. Both white and apple cider vinegar disrupt the ants’ scent trails and act as a repellent due to their strong smell. For best results, mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and apply to entry points, ant trails, and areas where you’ve seen ant activity. Reapplication is necessary as the scent dissipates.

How long does it take to get rid of sugar ants?

With consistent treatment, you should see a significant reduction in sugar ant activity within 1-2 weeks. Complete elimination of a colony typically takes 2-4 weeks, depending on the colony size, the effectiveness of your chosen treatment, and how well you address the underlying causes of the infestation.

What’s the difference between sugar ants and carpenter ants?

Sugar ants are primarily interested in food sources, especially sweets, and don’t damage wood structures. Carpenter ants are larger (6-12mm) and can cause structural damage by excavating wood to create nests. Carpenter ants also have a more pronounced node between their thorax and abdomen, giving them a more distinct “waist.”

About the author

Inga Cryton is a pest control expert based in Wichita, Kansas, with a passion for helping others protect their homes. Through PestKill.org, she shares effective and humane pest management strategies for a variety of critters.

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146 thoughts on “How to Get Rid of Sugar Ants: Complete Guide”

  1. Ohhh .. We’re waging the battle of all battles against these pesky sugar ants in our new home. Although we have the upper hand, they’re tenacious in their attempt to make us reconsider a home in the mountains. We tried the bait traps. We understand the goal of killing of the colony and the queen, but it just felt like we were drawing even more ants into our house. We tried the outdoor bait traps as well. We just felt we needed to take more aggressive action. We’ve been using Ortho Home Defense with success. We’re winning the battles for sure .. it’s just to early to declare that we’ve won the war.

    Reply
  2. Only place gonna find anything worth using is your closest co-op or TSC. They sell stuff for farms. Go there.

    Reply
  3. My kitchen counter top looks like an ant war zone; bodies, Terro, my new Echo Ant Raider product and something that year I labeled “Ant” are smeared across the landscape and up the walls. I have caulked and sealed and swore and seemingly they are now in the wall behind the cabinets; they dance out two or three at a time in their seemingly weakened condition and I zap them with a spray. I now own stock in Terro and have the stuff sitting on top of the window frame and also adorning the counter top in multiples. First, I had the trails, but now they appear helter skelter like wounded soldiers returning from war. I’m sure their healthy babies are hatching as I type and a new platoon will be arriving within hours! I’m now going to the store for the Borax and some yellow tape to seal off the crime scene. Questions: should I clean up the bodies and product and start again? I’ve read about drilling holes in the wall and inserting whatever, boric acid, terro powder to try to kill the queen? I’ve been at this for nearly a month with no success. Oh, and I was gone for about four months. I remember having a few last September and left the place with the trusty Terro packets on the counter tops. I came back to find this invasion so they must have claimed squatter’s rights to the wall. I am scrubbing and cleaning until my fingers are bleeding! Time to call an exterminator?

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  4. Thank you everyone for your comments. 1. I am thankful they are not termites. 2. I am thankful they are not fire ants or carpenter ants. 3. I feel hopeful your suggestions will help me get rid of the ones pestering me. I doubted they were sugar ants because for a whole year i never saw them on any food, but one day i had some honeydew melon rind on a plate in the sink and they just swarmed over it in minutes!

    Reply
  5. Wipe down counter surfaces and trails with Purel or other liquid hand sanitizer. It doesn’t kill them but disrupts their supply lines and eventually they give up and go someplace else. Obviously, toxicity is not a concern; so it’s safe when pets and children are a concern. If this regimen proves to be too labor intensive consider relocating to a place where igloos are the preferred abode.

    Reply
  6. What do you do when they are on the walls? They are coming from behind the cabinets and the air vent of the stove. I washed everything down with vinegar. The moment it dried they were back! I can spray them with windex to kill them but I need to put something for them to take back to their nest in the walls. Any suggestions of what I can put on the wall where it meets the bottom of the cabinet? They aren’t in those cabinets. They have dinner in my food cabinet instead which is across the kitchen. i will try the boric acid/sugar water mixture there. Oh I also put chili pepper down on the counter by the wall. They just took another route and came down the wall a few cabinets away. Thanks.

    Reply
    • i just put out boric acid and maple syrup. if that doesnt work ill try the honey/boric acid and corn meal/boric acid or cat food/boric acid until i find what they like ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • i have only had the 50/50 maple syrup/boric acid out for a couple hours and they are having a party with it! I think this will work excellent!

        Reply
        • That is what i just used, maple syrup and borax and a little powdered sugar for a little extra enticing …..we’ll see what happens.

          Reply
  7. What is that poison that makes them go insane and eat eachother. I don’t wan it…it’s totally messed up but it’s been bugging me forever. I’ve seen it once like 12 years ago forgot the name

    Reply
  8. They dont like vicks or generic brand i lin0ve in an apartment they just want more borax Mix it with some clove oil and cinnamon and wipe down base boards and etc so far has worked

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  9. Terro ant bait traps works great with sugar ants. Get them at WalMart. $5 for a box. Follow the directions on the box. The box will be Blue, Orange and white.

    Reply
  10. My neighbor told me try using BASIC H.
    Either made by Amway or shaklee. Can’t rmembr which co.
    But think u can find it on Amazon now too.
    I would find the ants on my counter tops and in my pantry.
    She told me to pour a little bit in a bowl of water, it prob held 2 cups water, and I used maybe 1 tblspoon of basic h. My basic h was the concentrated kind.
    So had to make up my own batch. Or u could keep in pre mixed in spray botte.
    Dunk a sponge in the mix and id just wipe down all surfaces where I ssaw ants.
    They never touched wherevi had wiped with the sponge.
    They wouldn’t cross over it.
    I had to do it every few days.
    I was young then, didn’t know u had to find the nest. Lol.
    So eventually I found the nest. Mixed up another batch and poured the whole mix on the ant hill.
    Then I sprayed all around my house, windowsills, entry to our doors, anywhere I thought they could get in.
    U can use basic h to wash vegetables and fruits with… So its safe.
    We never had ants again. After a few days they just disappeared.
    I don’t know if it killed them or what. Lol. But they were just gone.
    Basic h will last a long time and has many different uses.

    Reply
  11. Diatomaceous Earth! Sprinkle it where they enter, inside or out. SAFE for pets. Ants get the dust on their legs and it goes back to their homes where they share it… and the dust dries out their bodies. Seriously~ they just dry up!

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  12. SmallDog said this and it is true:
    “The only thing I used that worked, they donโ€™t make anymore, probably because it worked. It was terro but had arsenic in it. The terro now doesnโ€™t work. . Still leave them alone, donโ€™t kill them, just go to bed and forget about them. Next morning, there would not be any ants, all gone. There would not be any dead ants on the counter, either, they all took some nectar back to their hill and fed it to their aunts, uncles and cousins. So if you find some arsenic, maybe you can make your own. That stuff terro puts out now might as well be straight honey. So it can be made, but maybe too many spouses were killing their mate. Blame your government. They have a hand in it for sure. Raid had some spray one season, made with eugenol oil, smelled good, and if you sprayed it on a bug like love bugs covering the whole tree trunk they immediately fell to the ground dead. Guess This terro with arsenic, looked like honey and you put a small drop of it on a little piece of card about the size of a quarter. Leave it alone, and soon there would be thousands of ants all eating that arsenic honey. They looked like cattle circling a pondwhat? It worked so well they donโ€™t sell it anymore.”
    Everything that is mentioned is a fact this year. I have used different baits though out the course beginning Feb of this year. Have noticed when I put down:
    Terro with borax , looked like water and you put a small drop of it on a little piece of card about the size of a quarter. Leave it alone, and soon there would be thousands of ants all eating that Terro. They looked like cattle circling a pond. Yes this is true but then I started noticing more a more ants coming around and looking hungry. They were not bringing it back they were all just eating it all and looking up for more. This went on all summer about 3 months. More and more ants has showed up now our house is full of them so we decided to take away all the baits. What do we do???? Nothing works, nothing at all…. Tried different baits, tried the formula on this post NOTHING WORKS. And what make matters worse is that our kitchen tops are all black granite making it very hard to see these ants. We have never had this problem before and have been her for 10 years… This is the first year this has happened. Yes last year we would start to see them, put down a bait and they were gone. NOTHING this year seems they just love the borax now and want MORE, MORE, MORE….

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  13. This article is ABSOLUTELY Wrong. Never use apple cider vinegar. I made a mistake one day and sprayed this formula, the ants came out like an army chasing the Apple cider.

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  14. Thank you for the posts… Sugar ants invade my car, by me parking on the curb where the black protector was touching the curb where they have their trail… I tired the vinegar with water… Hopefully they leave my car….

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  15. Spray Windex on them for an instant fix. I have terro in the bottom cabinet so not to hurt the cat and dog. I’m going to look into the pepper trick. We shall see…
    Thank you!!

    Reply
  16. I have black ants on old locust trees,quarter size holes in ground .around foundation with dirt mounds. Also ant mounds in yard.
    Exterminator -1 said carpenter ants, Exterminator -2 said sugar ants. Some in shower area,kitchen baseboards.
    Any solution to rid these is greatly appreciated.

    Reply
  17. i used hotshot fogger (3 pack for about $3) for what used to be a heavy infestation of annoying sugar ants & hours later all dead. Effective even months later ๐Ÿ˜‰

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  18. I agree. It’s amazing how forums eventually become personal war rooms. I’m in Asia and ants of most varieties tend to be an issue over here. I’ve resorted to keeping as much as I can in Ziplok bags inside airtight containers, keep the place clean and the refuse outside at all times. It’s inconvenient but seems to be working successfully. There’s an ant chalk available here which seems to work very well also. It appears to act like a “hurdle”, where you draw barrier lines on ant trails and around furniture legs etc. and although our condo is hardly ant-free, it has become less of a problem. Good luck to everyone, it seems to be an ongoing battle!

    Reply
  19. Omg first thing the people that keep on complaining about someone posting about fire ants grow up instead help. This person point her or him the right way second this sitefuxking sucks torch them use hot boiling water or how about this try and not be sodamn messy

    Reply
  20. Are these sugar ants seasonal or they year round. ?? I have a cat and certainly don’t want to poison her so I do the windex attach round the clock? I must admit, they are winning. Will they go away when weather changes or I am stuck with this problem indefinately. We moved into our house in October and they showed up about a month ago. What is the story with the little f**kers ??

    Reply
  21. Terro – the best! But ants are persistent. A new batch of ants appears 3 – 4 days later. We use Terro, gone…3-4 days later boom, they are back again. I just sprayed the outside with Home Defense. Well see how that works.

    Reply
  22. Something that I’ve used and works quite well is using equal parts of baking soda and icing sugar I’m putting it to where the ants Trail in or around the area where the ants Wood Trail in.

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  23. I have a horrible sugar ant problem but I also have small dogs that I don’t want to poison. Hence no borax or dia…earth.i scrub and spray and vacuum constantly. I also live in a trailer so they could be coming from everywhere. Have tried everything and I am still loosing the battle. Looking for a bubble to move into.

    Reply
  24. Ok everyone!! as of today I have mixed white vinegar Dawn soap and about 1/2 teaspoon of Cayenne pepper with afew drops of water to dilute ..
    here’s to it workin’..am tried of them these Piss /sugar Ants…

    Reply
  25. Hello everyone I have sugar ants in my roof, so I can’t get to the source.
    Tonight I’ll try to put some down around sum peanut butter and eggs.
    With that said
    I’ll keep you posted.

    Reply
  26. Find out what your ants eat first… sugar…cornmeal or honey!
    Get some tops to mason jar lids.

    Here is my formulas once I know which one they’ll eat. I use Borax Laundry Detergent to mix it with. Let them eat and it will take 3-4 days and the ants are gone. Keep it out until you see not even 1 ant!

    Sugar: 4:1 mixture making a syrup (4 parts sugar to 1 part borax & water) i.e 1 teaspoon Sugar, ยผ teaspoon Borax (mix well), ยผ teaspoon Water.

    Cornmeal: Take a jar and mix it 50/50 Cornmeal and Borax with water. Make a paste and replace the mixture on the counter morning and evening with the paste. When it dries smash it so itโ€™s not stuck together and the ants can carry it away. Put the lid on the jar and keep using the same mixture.

    Honey: 50/50 mixture. Take a small bowl and put the honey in it. Nuke Honey for 10 seconds (donโ€™t need a lid), mixed in 50/50 honey / borax. Put it in a Mason jar lid.

    With all of the recipes if it’s too strong for your ants, cut back on the Borax a little. It won’t work if they don’t eat it. I’ve tried Terro liquid Ant Killer and my ants came back. With my method I do it maybe once a year when I get a new family of ants.

    Reply
  27. I have been using Soda powder (arm and harmer) with a little big of sugar & I finding them dead dry everywhere, where I had ants.

    Reply
  28. I have not found any sugar ants near my food for the past two weeks. I see one once in a while on my computer, bathroom sink and tub. I did find a whole load of them in my tassimo machine. I thought they were going up the spout because of the sugar in the milk, but, where they all got together to party was in the filter. I could not believe it. The filter was loaded in sugar ants. I immediately packed up the filter and put it in my outside garbage can which I then sprayed with rain. Now, I have to go and buy a new filter. I check my pantry on a daily basis. I put any food that comes in boxes inside plastic container that have good sealable lids. So far, so good. I have ant traps everywhere in the house, including the bathroom. I use baking soda to clean my countertops ans backsplash because I had found a lot of them there. For anything that is washable, I use baking soda. So far, it seems to be working but it does take time.

    Reply
  29. thanks for the tips me my dad and my mom will use this for sure u guys are awesome we need to kill them because they ruin my water and sweets so thank u very much for making this website ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  30. there is a particular ant in my home, it is red in color and very very tiny, they enter everything. they destroyed my carton of indomie, my flakes, the surprising thing is that they are entering my bag. and there is nothing like food inside it… please, how can i get rid of it?

    Reply
  31. I have not found a trail anywhere yet, but, not only do I find them everywhere, they are in my Tassimo. The first time I found one in my coffee, they were laying on top of the foam of the latte. I thought maybe they had been in my cup. But, this morning I checked my cup, nothing but, halfway thru my coffee, I found one. I think they crawled up the spout and are in the machine itself. Now, how do I get rid of them in there???

    Reply
  32. I bought the powder, the granules, and the traps for outside in the flower box. It killed a few but days later there were thousands. And the traps they ignored.
    I have them now in the house after i left syrup in the sink and no way to cover all the tiny backs in the base boards they are swarming through. Last summer I had a few on the floors and the orange spray was temporary if you did it daily. But I caulked up the whole window this spring and they stopped coming. Kitchen I can’t caulk such cracks as I can’t reach them.
    but avoid the store bought traps and such as its a scam.

    Reply
    • Agreed, but having said that. I have been using the indoor outdoor spray and have had really good results. It seems to me that hunting them with the spray and dousing their trail as far as you can go does a lot of damage. Inside the house as well as outside. Setting traps is not very effective. Besides seeing all their dead little bodies brings me a certain degree of gratification. I highly recommend spraying the trail.

      Reply
  33. We’ve had ants in our kitchen on and off for about a month.. It was just the scouters I saw. First it was bout 10 then I just smooshed them cleaned and then here and there I’d see one to five or so til morning or evening sometimes round 2. First they were on my small counter by the stove (where I would leave paper bowls my kids used for two days for snacks etc.. then I cleaned and clean and didn’t see them too much there and then they were on the desk counter and in my pantry that’s by the counter. I put cinnamon in the cabinet.. it took a lil while but it seemed to have worked. They were still on the counter though.. They also moved to my stovetop and over on other counter. I cleaned and wiped the counter and everything on it. (cleaned as wiped off, used lysol lemon scented wipes then soap n water and counters are bare now). I couldn’t figure out where they were coming from. Last night I used borax, sugar, water combo on cotton ball on lids a few places and one with hotdog with borax (where I first saw them). I then cleaned up around it with straight vinegar and put up some barriers of baby powder. Come 9 or so there was a trail leading up the counter near pantry from inside the wall behind base boards.. I checked on it and around other baits before going to bed at 10 still going.. at 4 am there was only one ant in the combo. About an hour later I checked and it was gone. It is now 5:47 am and no ants in sight. I will leave it out another day to see how it goes.. probably move the hot dog mixture to same spot.

    Reply
  34. I have Home Defense indoor outdoor, I kill when and where I see them. It seems to be working. For some reason they just keep marching forward in a straight line. Right into the poison. They will not walk around it. Pretty simple just find their trail and kill them over and over and over. It works!

    Reply
    • I’ll try it. But the surgar ants are in my bedroom. I try starving them to death, trying to get all candy, surgar, etcโ€ฆ

      Reply
  35. I remember the Terro from years ago and it was great, sorry to hear it won’t work anymore. I will try the boric acid, but wonder why I should spend the money on organic for the ants I am trying to kill……..

    Reply
  36. I’m pretty sure what I have are sugar ants (little black ants) and I’m deathly afraid of them. They’re creepy and I shiver whenever I see one or a picture of them…

    I found a trail of them leading to the corner of my house, and it leads into a thick bushy leave area about 1ft high of the ground and leads to another property, (it’s not a house but the land and shed area belong to someone) and we don’t know where the trail ends because the go into that area. The property owner is never there, and there doesn’t seem to be a ant hill anywhere.
    There are also trees a little covered in the leafy vines in the bushy area. How can we kill off the colony if we don’t know where the Queen is? We don’t want it producing another queen and having it seperate to create more colonies nearby. We already think there’s another forming on the other side of our home.

    Help, THEYRE SURROUNDING US!

    Reply
  37. I had to scroll through about 50 comments to get to anything relevant to what works/doesn’t work. I’ve had the tiny ants for about 3 days in the kitchen when I discovered them swarming over countertops and cabinet shelves. I sprayed the 50/50 vinegar water solution on surfaces after several bleach cleanings. It has only reduced the population. Windex seems to kill them on contact. After reading all the comments, the borax/sugar solution will be my next move. I think I will also try straight borax on some pesky weed patches in the yard.

    Reply
  38. We live in Central Florida and rent our house. Our landlord pays a pest company to come and spray 4 times a year, but only outside. We used to have a flea problem, but I bought those flea traps with the nightlight, and our cat is treated, so no more fleas.

    But now we have this sugar any problem. They come into the kitchen from a bar like structure that abuts one side of the kitchen behind the stove and counter. I think the nest may be inside that structure, which has a bar countertop on it. We have seen them coming through the electrical outlets, from between wood joists, and alongside the moulding that goes around the counter tops. The trees outside have been sprayed all to no avail. We keep our countertops clean, and dishes put away and washed and dried every day. I was going to try the boric acid with honey routine, but am having trouble finding boric acid. I want to stay as natural as possible, but get rid of these ants! Thanks for your help!

    Reply
  39. I don’t have problems with sugar ants in my house I have them going into my hummingbird feeders. There’s only two ways up and I can’t find their trails to the posts.

    Reply
    • I also have put up a hummingbird feeder hanging on my deck and now (never before) I have a sugar ant problem I am trying the ant cups for now

      Reply
      • For hummingbird feeder, cover the chain and the top of the feeder in vaseline. Ants avoid it for some reason, and on the rare instances that they do get into it (fall, windblown, etc.), they can’t get out.

        Reply
    • I put a coat of petroleum jelly on the pole that my hummingbird feeder hangs from. They will not be able to get past it.

      Reply
  40. We use to have a bad ant problem, crawling on us in bed, in every room, countertop, etc. Well, my husband outlined our home with Seven dust and also poured it in the ant hills. No ants for 2 years, then I saw them again this year. Tried baking soda and powdered sugar it only reduced the ants.But I added borax, baking soda, powdered sugar and water and IT WORKED very well! NO Ants…

    Reply
  41. Sorry I wrote the 4:1 mixture wrong.. here it is 2 teaspoons Sugar, ยฝ teaspoon Borax (mix well), ยฝ teaspoon Water. They will love it if it’s sugar eating ants. And it will kill them and the queen.

    Reply
  42. Thank You! I made the mixture of boric acid with corn meal and threw in some corn grits just for a special ant treat. Within 24 hours i dont see any inside the house and the out side trails population has been cut in half by day two. What a brilliant and simple idea!!!! Happy happy joy joy!

    Reply
      • Take a jar and mix it 50/50 Cornmeal and Borax with water. Make a paste and replace the mixture on the counter morning and evening with the paste. I used a mason jar lid to put it on. When it dries smash it so itโ€™s not stuck together and the ants can carry it away. Put the lid on the jar and keep using the same mixture.

        If the ants don’t like the cornmeal go with Sugar, Borax & Water. I used a paper plate bowl to mix it. 2 teaspoons Borax, 2 teaspoons Sugar & ยฝ teaspoon Water. Make it like syrup mixture. Put that onto a mason jar lid and let them eat. Replace it about every 8 hours. It’s 4:1 Sugar to Borax. If it’s weaker it won’t kill if it’s stronger they won’t eat it. Mine all died in 3 days.

        Reply
  43. I pour boiling water on ant mounds, if it is a large mound use a shovel push in ground and flip mound over then pour. Works on all type of ant mounds, To prevent antsโ€™ entry into your home from the outside, a liquid ant insecticide can be sprayed around the foundation in a one or two foot band on the ground and on the foundation itself. Spraying around windows, doors, ventilation openings, and any other access points will further block the antsโ€™ traveling into your home.

    Reply
  44. I have sugar ants and I have no idea how to get rid of them. We just moved into our new home and sleeping on the floor was a night mare I really need help. I so have children both under 4. I live in a trailer and I dislike pests with a passion I detail with mice no biggie now ants ita an whole other ball game. I’m so lost here. PS the comments weren’t helpful but some were some shouldn’t of been posted.

    Reply
  45. Mix canned cat food with boric acid… They cannot stay away from the stuff. Cinnamon around the outside of your house works well too

    Reply
  46. Terro has granules. They work really well. Sprinkle them around all points of entry on the ground. We lived in an area with a lot of free roaming animals, chickens, goats, dogs, cats etc., and none were affected. Our ground was infested by the billions. We put the granules down in the spring and at the end of summer. I highly recommend this product!

    Reply
  47. Well the boric acid definitely killed the grass. Now I have big spots of dead grass all over my yard and HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY, little sugar ants running around the dead grass. Sugar ants one me zero…. Grrrrrr

    Reply
  48. that should be 5 tbsp of powdered sugar and 5 tbsp of baking soda and 2 1/2 to 3 tbsp water. mix well and the sugar and baking soda combine. ants can’t separate them but they really go for the sugar

    Reply
  49. try a mix of 2 tbsp POWDERED sugar 2 tbsp baking soda and 3 tbsp water. mix and put in small lids near ant trails. ants go for the sugar but the baking soda gives them gas they cant get rid of. they take it back and kill the whole nest

    Reply
  50. My house has what I believe are ants smaller than this everywhere. Now they’re crawling in my newborns bed so I can’t put her in her bed, she sleeps with me. I don’t know how to get rid of them. Please help!

    Reply
  51. Last summer I had fire ants and they started taking over my front lawn you couldnt walk on the grass barefoot or within seconds you had bites already so iI asked a rep at andersons what was best to use and he told me several things to but but he used corn meal on his lawn first and it got rid if them because ants cant digest it they bring it to the nest and feast on it then they die cause they cant digest it within 10 days I no longer had fire ants around and that was last summer and theres no sign of them this spring here in Southern Cal

    Reply
    • After reading your post, I did the same thing in my backyard. I believe that these are pharaoh ants that are all around an oak tree in my backyard. They kill the lawn with their multiple mounds of sand. I have tried poisons in the past but they keep coming back.
      I spread out a bag of corn meal around the area and all of the ants disappeared eventually. The only activity out there were several squirrels coming around to lick the corn meal off of the ground.
      THANKS FOR THE INFO!

      Reply
  52. try diatomaceous earth make sure it’s food grade and just sprinkle it around where the ants are and they will go away. And leave it down. Put diatomaceous around base boardsin bathroom and kitchen Evan on counter near sink .not harmful to live creatures long as you don’t breath in .

    Reply
    • I have DE but it’s not good grade. I will have to use outside and in the basement. I have used tea tree oil, cinnamon, and vinegar and it works but have to du it every day. Temporary fix. Now I have flying ants in the upstairs bedroom and u think they are in the wall. Can’t catch a break!

      Reply
  53. These mudders are all up in my biscuits. The wife actullay blamed me (deer in headlights) after she and mini-she found them spooning the cereal! The ants in my xbox are so much more fun. I did buy an ant trap and yes The giant invisible sucker sign keeps flapping up and down over my head Duh.

    Reply
  54. Every year I do my ortho treatment. You have to make sure that your bathtub all your sinks dry at all times when not in use ants love water. Nothing to lure an ant. . So today I used my ortho. Took a while because I do kitchen and bathroom. Pipes under sinks window sills baseboards and in any open cracks that might need to be calked.and most important leave house for at least 20 minutes take pet out and children out. After 20 minutes fine to come back. Safe. Very important that your house has a lot of ventilation. Then I went outside did my patio bricks all doors and siding windows need to do outside to keep from ants coming in.thats about it. Hope this helps someone. Worked for me for five years where I live since I moved here I’m sure it will work for you.lasts a yr. not like an exterminator . Comes once a month with chemicals and is expensive and once he sprays still have to clean up every month because they start running and then die. That’s about it. Hope it helps.sue

    Reply
  55. I am trying cotton balls soaked in a mixture of: borax soap (powder), sugar, and water. First attempt was last night – they were swarming the next morning. There were so many at the site that I killed and removed them. Do I need to let them ALL remain by the cotton balls to ensure they carry the poison back to the nest poison it (the queen?). I also sprinkled ant-killing pellets on the outside perimeter of my home (on a dry day). I am considering spraying there as well. Soon I am investigating their entrance way, but I am worried it will be hard to find. Any tips on that would be greatly appreciated!

    Reply
  56. My house has had problems with sugar ants come just about every summer, and I would love to take some preventative measures this year. I have looked into the boric acid traps before, and I’ll be sure to have some laid out at the beginning of the season. However, if the problem isn’t solved by doing that I will probably call in professionals to help.

    Reply
  57. I too had problems with ants and studied them for two years with several types of organic and pesticides. The most important thing is to follow their trail. I thought mine were sugar ants but werent. They were baby carpenter ants. They colonized in the tree next to my house then the next year I had a colony in my house next to the tree…they supposedly split off and colonize nearby. The smaller ants forage for food then you Will see the larger soldier ants supervising nearby. My carpenter ants foraged at around sundown and 10 every nite They dont eat wood but chew thru it. Follow their trail!!!! Eventually you will see where they are coming from and going. Although they will forage a long way from their nest too. They love aphids and protein and eat dead bugsnally I found what worked. Boric acid powder. Thats what works!!!!!! Dont waste your money on anything else. Put the boric acid powder in a bottle with a point….use a bottle they use for hair dyes. Wear goggles and a mask becuz this stuff flies around like baby powder. I squirt it down in the holes of the treebark where they came from each nite then scattered it in the attic where they lived. They get the boric acid on their feet and antennaes, lick their feet as ants clean their antennaes and feet constantly in addition to they use their antennaes to talk to each other, take the boric acid back to nest and kill themselves and other ants. Gone!!!!!

    Reply
    • Orange degreaser (I use in my kitchen) also works well as an instant fix, but only temporary – it doesn’t stop the main problem…the nest has to be destroyed.

      Reply
    • do you spray the trail or the ants themselves? what do you do if you don’t know where they are coming from?????

      Reply
      • I have tried washing everything with Dawn dish soap and it does not work with sugar ants they are back an hour later.
        Sugar ants walk in a straight line mostly, to follow the pharamone of the lead ant so just study them for awhile and follow the line back to where they are entering at

        Reply
  58. Try some 20 mule team Borax.. ( in the detergent section of your local grocery store). Put some in shallow dishes ALL over your house, apartment,& garage…… should be GONE in a couple days. Keep away from animals & children.

    Reply
  59. Seen these ants while vacationing in Florida. I was curious as to what they were and ended up here. It seems that every biological organism in Florida wants to either sting you, eat you, sublimate you, bite you or somehow live off of your misery. We don’t have these issues in Michigan, as the weather is going to be below zero tonight and I could leave half a cow covered in sugar and honey on the counter top and leave it for 8 months without fear of any visiting pests.
    However, I would gladly deal with the insects to get away from the possibility of freezing to death in minutes should my car break down on a road.
    So don’t feel too badly. At least you are all living in a pleasant climate to have these bug issues.

    Reply
    • Aw quit whining, ๐Ÿ™‚ and turn up the heat, I’ll bet these guys wish for a few bucks a month they could just turn down the ants with a thermostat like device.

      Reply
  60. Live in Florida. Recently left rinsed dishes in the sink one night. Next day that s when it started. I cant eat in my kitchen. The second I put a clean plate on the counter a few show up and ask what for lunch.

    Never had a problem with S ants. But that’s what happens when you leave rinsed dishes in the sink overnight. I always put them in the dishwasher, but I was in a hurry. UGGGGGGGHhhh

    Reply
  61. theyre in my apartment and driving me insane. I cant even leave a sandwich on the table (on a plate) for a few minutes.

    Reply
    • I complained a

      slumlord did nothing but raise the rent a hundred bucks.l use ant traps,sprays and musclepower.back next day.l

      Reply
  62. So the ants invading my apartment are coming from these trees outside here in FL(trees that drop green acorns). They are living in the walls and every time it rains they are all over my kitchen…in the cabinets, sink, on the floor….thousands! Spraying only makes them come back. Any suggestions?

    Reply
    • Use 409 and spray it all around but make sure you spray on the ant because then they can’t get out and so they drown in the chemicals.
      also, spray vinegar and 409 on the baseboards of you house (it kills sent and multiple ants if sprayed)

      Reply
  63. I’m living in a nightmare of all types of ants and in the last 2 months I’ve been invade with sugar ants !! I rent so the only thing I can do is spray ! My landlord getting him to do something is like a battle or fight like when my back door was rotted six inches up from the ground he refused to replace it & off to Hawaii he went but he had his Son “who is my neighbor” we live in a duplex take a very very thin piece of razor sharp sheet metal & attach it with 4 screws not even square with the door so the corner where you come out the door god forbid you ran into it would slice you wide open so I stopped using it & one day my girlfriend came over with her friend & granddaughter & she wanted to see my flower beds & trees that I put in to make my little bitty yard beautiful instead of looking at a half dead Brazilian pepper tree & the little girl sliced her leg wide open on the razor sharp sheet metal they put up to shut my mouth ;( Isn’t that the saddest thing ever from a Christian man & never once asked how she was ;( So anyway 6 months later the door got replaced thank god! Back to the ants his son works outta town & braggs about leaving dirty dishes in the sink for 2 weeks at a time well I’m sure that helped start the infestation of the sugar ants & since this place was built in 1958 there are all kinda of structural cracks in the brick & mortar that need caulked ! But here’s the killer my landlords travel trailer got infested right before they were going to a trip to Canada & that’s when he decided to at least have the lawn sprayed not once a month & not inside the duplex just the lawn so the first spraying all the ants are running crazy getting in the house everywhere they can & I have to spend more money well the last 2nd time they sprayed I was here both times but the guy spraying didn’t see me out back & you could tell he was in a hurry he only did half my back yard and the side of my duplex and left ! I wasn’t going to say anything until I heard my slum lord complaining & I told him the guy didn’t do your entire lot now he doesn’t watch over people like that but he will watch over the back of someone he hires to do some yard work for a measly $8.00 an hour like they are incompetent & he will pay someone to plant dead bushes but I’m telling you these Brazilian pepper trees that he has trimmed up on the side of camper like some kinda prize Bonsia tree is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen yet “to provide him some shade” are the cause of so many of the different types of black ants, carpenter ants, ants with wings, couch roaches, spiders ! Why on earth someone would be so uneducated or ignorant to this fact is beyond me ! Another slum lord not landlord! He sure fulled me when I rented this place from him & his son is nothing but a bully & coward ! I just need to move !

    Reply
    • My slumlord says “spray vinegar”.l do,but now they even swarm my clean dishes in cupboards.Disgusting And embarassing when friends over.l keep it clean around here too.disposed of lots of pantry items l keep in ziplock bags and supposedly airtight containers.vinegar by the gallons.Lanlord pests too.

      Reply
    • you just described 97% of the Landlords in Rehoboth Beach Delaware. I feel for you. Last place I lived the landlord complained they could do nothing about the mice,roaches,fleas & ants as they wete broke and could not possibily afford it. Yet EVERYTIME she came to collect the rent she would be wearing another new cocktail diamond ring and be driving her custom painted Gold Cadillac. Go Figure!? It all about the Greed Greed Greed. Anyway we tried ALL of the above suggestions for the sugar ants with absolutely NO reduction or extermination of the sugar ant numbers. I believe only the suggestion of arsenic. Good luck finding that. Also I work in hardware store. So we tried EVERY spray,trap & poison. NONE Work. 1 or 2 sprays worked very little for 2 wks. The smell was more nausiating than the ants sad to say!

      Reply
        • Diatomaceous Earth is what finally worked for me last year. This was after having my exterminator – who treats outside every 3 months for the centipedes – set out bait inside that lasted about 5 weeks. Today, I put a line of cinnamon around the entry way they came in last night until I can get some DE – seems to be working.

          Reply
    • Idk if your still in this duplex now However being a renter myself, I Completely know and I truly understand your pain & frustration.So for Future knowledge, for any and everyone with any problem that occurs with the home itself, that isn’t something caused by any one, continues on for a long period of time without owner attempting to properly repair the houses problems then You CAN as a Renter Deny giving the Rent Money to the Owner. What You will have to do, before informing the landlord, is go and Set-up an account with the Clerk of Courts and file a Complaint on the damages / issues your having with the house inc. that the Owner did not handle the maintenance for the house during your residency there. That way he/she cannot receive any form of payment until problems have been proven resolved. Hopefully I have helped someone with this information who’s renting and dealing with a “slum-lord” or even a lazy/checap owner.

      Reply
    • The best way to get their attention is to withhold the rent and point them to your local landlord and tenants act.

      Reply
  64. If you set a trap using a 50/50 combo of white vinegar water and baking soda spray where you see the ants the most You can also use cornmeal ants can’t digest the cornmeal so they take the food back and kill the colony. If you use baby powder you can track to see where the nest is and spray to kill the queen. Cinnamon, clove or oil of clove , bayleaf and mint all work well to. Make sure you keep all sugary food wrapped well or in the refridge make sure to keep your counters wiped of any and all food and the garbage disposal clean , rinse or wash all dishes don’t let them sit with food on them hope this helps

    Reply
    • I tried the cinnamon oil and it didnt work, Ive sprayed the counters with bleach every night and by morning they’re back. Even when no food is present. So now I will try the vinegar, but I cant tell where they are coming from, I live on the second floor.

      Reply
  65. We’ve been having Pharaoh ant (sugar ant) infestations all over the island of Tenerife this summer. I’ve checked out the sugar/water/borax combo but at the moment the ants are looking for protein and go crazy over pieces of chopped deli ham, leaving sugar baits untouched. So am using about 3 TBS minced ham mixed with 1/2 tsp borax powder. Just starting this so may have to adjust ratio. Putting bait in small lids and yoghurt containers on windowsill away from my cats. Ants are swarming over them. Will see how long it takes to stop them completely.

    Reply
  66. Hee hee! I love the levity of the comments posted here — although, I too am looking at a trail of sugar ants that never ends (along side the baseboard in my kitchen). I want a non-toxic treatment that won’t hurt my 5-month old kitten. I’ll try the ant trap, & try the spray with vinegar & water sprinkled with pepper. Thank you — hope it works!

    Reply
    • Seven dust works real well and u can easily vacuum it up ! It can be purchased at any garden center as it is put on flowers for bug infestations and it is non toxic to pets

      Reply
  67. ya’ll are too funny. ..

    fire ants and pretzels in bed ๐Ÿ˜›

    meanwhile. .. im sitting here at the kitchen
    counter just looking at the trail. ..

    guess ill get some boric acid tomorrow and
    bleach everything down.

    :-/
    @queenjeneene

    Reply
  68. That awkward moment when your trying to get rid of sugar ants in your room so you look up stuff for help…and then realize it says they do their food hunting at night….and then you re realize that your honey mustard and onion pretzels in bed…-_-

    Reply
    • Obviously you shouldn’t be looking into sugar ants then and saying what works for sugar ants doesn’t work when you have fire ants. They’re completely different so saying “it doesn’t work” is misleading when the type of ant you’re dealing with has NOTHING to do with this type. Don’t comment if you don’t have anything helpful to say.

      Reply
    • that is because this post is about sugar ants not fire ants learn to read before you comment please. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • 2 people already replied to his comment and the problem was resolved far before you stepped in. As you said, “learn to read before you comment please. :)”

        Reply
      • Can I mix pepper and vinegar because my problem is the Aunt is on the wall where it’s hard to put black pepper on

        Thanks Tammy

        Reply
    • The only thing I used that worked, they don’t make anymore, probably because it worked. It was terro but had arsenic in it. The terro now doesn’t work. This terro with arsenic, looked like honey and you put a small drop of it on a little piece of card about the size of a quarter. Leave it alone, and soon there would be thousands of ants all eating that arsenic honey. They looked like cattle circling a pond. Still leave them alone, don’t kill them, just go to bed and forget about them. Next morning, there would not be any ants, all gone. There would not be any dead ants on the counter, either, they all took some nectar back to their hill and fed it to their aunts, uncles and cousins. So if you find some arsenic, maybe you can make your own. That stuff terro puts out now might as well be straight honey. So it can be made, but maybe too many spouses were killing their mate. Blame your government. They have a hand in it for sure. Raid had some spray one season, made with eugenol oil, smelled good, and if you sprayed it on a bug like love bugs covering the whole tree trunk they immediately fell to the ground dead. Guess what? It worked so well they don’t sell it anymore.

      Reply
      • this worked really well for us. They take it back to the nest and it disposes of the whole nest. We tried everything till we found this and now we have NONE

        Reply
      • I bought the terro with borax in it. They are going crazy over it. Hope they die soon because i have a 2 yr old in the house.

        Reply
          • Borax is the killing ingredient in Terro. It is a naturally occurring mineral that has low toxicity to humans. In fact a lot of household soaps use borax.

            Reply
        • I just moved into a condo that was INFESTED with sugar ants. I used terro bait. It took about a week and I changed the baits out a couple times but now there are no ants at all. Cheapest most easy solution ever.

          Reply
    • Boris acid doesn’t work my ants have been eating it for 4 years.The pest control company i used tried for 2 years I’m pretty sure they live in my walls !Help

      Reply
      • Wow you must be bored to post some comment about fire ants that would cause folks to get upset because they think that you can’t read! All just to get a rise out of people.. But you also may cause others to not try the remedy here due to your comments! People are needing some help for a real problem. Why don’t you go joke around with your baby sister.

        Reply