Getting rid of sugar ants is actually not that difficult. First, find out where the ants use to get into the house. Next, place the bait near the ant's entry point and where it frequents. The ants will take the bait to the colony and eat it. It can effectively kill the ant colony. You can also buy commercial ant bait or use a natural insecticide.
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Method 1 of 3: Get Rid of Sugar Ants
Step 1. Find out where the ants used to get into the house
Before trying to deal with the ant problem, find out how the ants enter your home. Commonly used entry points are doors and windows. Cracks or holes in the floor and walls can also be used by ants to enter the house.
Step 2. Place the bait near the entry point to poison the ants
If you know where the ants are getting into your house, place the bait near the point of entry. The ants will take the bait to their nest. This can make the ant colony die after eating it.
Step 3. Make sure you have sealed the doors and windows tightly
Ants can enter your home through doors and windows, so you must seal them tightly. Immediately close all the cracks and holes that you come across. By following these steps, you can prevent the invasion of sugar ants into your home. It can also keep your house ant-free after you've eradicated it with bait.
Step 4. Clean the floor every time you finish eating
Keep the floor clean of dirt to prevent ant infestation. Sweep or vacuum up any food crumbs that fall on the floor after you finish eating. Next, wipe the area to remove any sticky food residue.
Step 5. Wash the dishes every time you finish eating
It is important to keep the kitchen sink and the area around it clean. Dirty dishes and food debris can attract sugar ants. Try to clean the dishes and the kitchen table after you finish eating. If you have to leave the dishes dirty, rinse them thoroughly first.
Step 6. Empty the trash every day
By taking out the trash every day, you will eliminate a food source for sugar ants. Dispose of trash at least once at a time. You can also use a trash can with a tight-fitting lid to help keep ants out.
Method 2 of 3: Using Ingredients You Have at Home
Step 1. Poison the ants with a mixture of honey and boric acid
Mix honey and boric acid in a bowl in equal proportions. Stir the boric acid and honey mixture to form a paste. Place this paste on a cardboard and place it in the area where the ants enter the house. Make a new bait every two days until the ants are gone.
Step 2. Try getting rid of ants with a mixture of sugar and borax
Mix 1.5 tablespoons of borax with 1.5 cups of water and half a cup of sugar. Dip a few cotton balls in the mixture until they are saturated. Place a cotton ball in the lid of the jar and place it in an area frequented by ants.
Step 3. Spray the ants with white vinegar
Mix equal parts white vinegar and distilled water in a spray bottle. Spray the ants with this mixture directly. Also spray this mixture on the places where the ants enter the house, and the trails they make. This will remove any traces of the ant's pheromone and keep these insects from coming back.
Step 4. Spray lemon juice on any ants you come across
Like vinegar, the acid in lemon juice can kill ants and remove traces of pheromones. Put 4 tablespoons of lemon juice in a spray bottle filled with 300 ml of water. Spray ants with this solution directly to kill them. Also spray the entry points and trails to prevent ants from re-entering the house.
Method 3 of 3: Using Commercial Insecticides
Step 1. Choose a bait designed to kill ants
If you want to get rid of ants using commercial bait, make sure you buy a bait that is really designed for ants. Some of the commonly used baits include abamectin, sulfluramide, fipronil, propoxur, and orthoboric acid.
Step 2. Follow the given instructions carefully
Read all directions on the packaging of commercial ant bait carefully. If the instructions suggest that you take precautions (such as wearing gloves when handling bait), follow them.
Step 3. Understand that aerosol sprays have no lethal effect on anthills
The best way to get rid of ants is to use bait, either commercial or natural. Aerosol sprays can kill ants if they hit them, but have no effect on the remaining population. If you still want to use an aerosol insecticide such as permethrin, cyfluthrin, or bifenthrin, choose a product designed for indoor use.
