Trying to get rid of sugar ants can feel like a never-ending nightmare. These relentless little pests seem to pop up everywhere, no matter how clean your kitchen is. And if you’re tired of failed DIY tricks and messy home remedies, you’re not alone. Sugar ant control takes the right strategy, so let’s break down what works and what’s just a waste of time.

Understanding Sugar Ants

Before you can get rid of sugar ants, you need to know what you’re up against. Sugar ants, also known as odorous house ants or piss ants, aren’t your typical pests. These tiny troublemakers are a multi-queened species capable of forming colonies that can swell into the hundreds of thousands.

But don’t let their size fool you. Sugar ants may be small, but their appetites are anything but. They’re famous for going after sweets, but they won’t hesitate to snack on proteins, greasy foods, or anything remotely edible. 

But what really makes sugar ant control tricky is their unpredictable nesting habits. They’re not picky about where they settle down, which means their colonies can pop up almost anywhere. Here are some of their favorite nesting spots:

  • Wall voids
  • Under appliances
  • Near leaky faucets
  • In damaged insulation
  • Abandoned carpenter ant or termite nests
  • Under stacked firewood
  • Throughout loose soil

And their colonies? They can be massive. We’re talking thousands of ants with multiple queens cranking out eggs like there’s no tomorrow. If you don’t knock them out properly, they’ll just keep bouncing back stronger.

Ineffective Sugar Ant Removal Methods

Before we jump into the ant control, let’s clear up what doesn’t work. You’ve probably heard of these popular home remedies, but most of them are more likely to spread the infestation than stop it. Here’s what to avoid:

  • Boric Acid Mixes: Combining boric acid, baking soda, and sugar might kill a few ants, but it’s far from a foolproof solution. Worse, it often causes colonies to split up and spread.
  • Vinegar Sprays: Wiping down trails with vinegar might feel productive, but it won’t get rid of sugar ants. At best, it temporarily throws them off their scent trail.
  • Cinnamon Powder: Sure, ants hate the smell, but sprinkling cinnamon everywhere just makes a mess without solving the problem.
  • Citrus Oil Sprays: These might repel ants, but they won’t kill them. And when ants feel threatened, they scatter and start new colonies.

In reality, none of these methods will give you the results that you are looking for. The problem? All of these methods are repellent-based. That means ants detect something dangerous and respond by budding or splitting off into smaller colonies that spread throughout your home. In other words, the queens detect something dangerous or foreign in the environment, and you end up with more ants in more places. 

Effective Tips for Getting Rid of Sugar Ants

When it comes to sugar ant control, you’ve got to be strategic. These pests are smart, stubborn, and annoyingly good at finding food. But here’s the good news: you can beat them using the right methods.

Use Non-Repellent Products

If you’re serious about getting rid of sugar ants, non-repellent products are your best friend. When used properly, these products are undetectable by ants and will not cause budding. After you apply the treatment, the ants will continue their daily business, completely unaware of the treatment.

Once they pick up the insecticide on their bodies, they carry it right back to the colony. The beauty of non-repellent products is that they eliminate ants at the source, not just the stragglers you see crawling around.

Pair Non-Repellent Insecticides with Baits

A winning sugar ant control strategy often combines non-repellent insecticides with quality baits. While the insecticide does the heavy lifting, baits lure the ants into spreading the poison throughout the colony.

 

The key here? Patience and placement. Scatter multiple small bait stations around ant trails, entry points, and areas with heavy activity. Make sure to refresh and monitor these bait stations regularly to track your progress.

Where to Buy Non-Repellent Products

Finding and purchasing ant bait is relatively easy. Any of your big box stores like Lowe’s, Home Depot, and McLendon’s will have a few options for you to choose from. Stick with high-quality bait stations and avoid anything labeled as a repellent.

Non-repellent insecticides, unfortunately, are not so easy to get. They generally require a pest control operator’s license to purchase and/or apply. Here’s a state-by-state guide on pest control licensing requirements for pesticides that could lend a hand.

Trust Sentinel Pest Control for Real Results

Still struggling to get rid of sugar ants? Don’t waste more time and money on DIY solutions that only make the problem worse. When sugar ants invade, you need real solutions that work. That’s where we come in.

If you live in Tacoma, Seattle, or anywhere in the Puget Sound area, call Sentinel Pest Control to get rid of your sugar ant problem!