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Sugar ants are very tiny and are known for their voracious appetite for sugary substances, including honey, syrup and other sweet things. These ants, which belong to the genus “Mymecoca” or carpenter ants, love consuming sugar. If they find it in your home or office, they will stay and feast on your sugar until there is none left. They tend to live outdoors where sugar sources are readily available such as bird feeders, hummingbird feeders and compost piles. They can also be found wherever people like to feed squirrels or birds with sugary treats. These small creatures have a voracious appetite for sugar which makes them a threat to anyone who has a sweet tooth!
What is the sugar ant?
Sugar ants, also called carpenter ants, are tiny black insects with a yellow or orange thorax. They are very similar to other ants found in and around the home such as red ants and black ants.The carpenter ant is about one-eighth of an inch long. The worker ants are black, with a reddish or orange-yellow patch on the thorax. The queen is larger than the workers, and the male is smaller.Carpenter ants are most often found outdoors in trees, logs, or stumps, or around homes and buildings where they can enter and make nests in wood. They can cause damage to wood structures, including houses, decks, and even wooden fences. They also can infest and damage trees and other plants.
Identifying sugar ants
– Nesting – If you notice small trails of ants indoors, they may be looking for a spot to build a nest. Sugar ants will often build their colonies around or inside walls. If you see trails of ants that lead up and down walls or across ceilings, you should be on the lookout for sugar ants.- Feeding – Ants that are foraging for food will travel in single file lines and will go back and forth from one food source to another. Feeding on sugar would make the ants visible, since sugar is usually stored in containers. If you see sugar ants, you can be sure that there is sugar nearby.- Colour – It may sound silly, but ants have an orange or yellow colour on their thorax. Other species of ants have different colours such as black or red.
Why are sugar ants a problem?
Sugar ants are a problem because they like to nest in warm, moist places near food sources. They can often be found near kitchens or bathrooms, where plumbing leaks or moisture is present. They also like to nest in wall voids or electrical boxes where they are protected from the elements.If sugar ants nest near your food, they can contaminate it or even bring pests or diseases inside. They can also make a disgusting mess if they are nesting in or around your kitchen. If you have a lot of ants in your kitchen, you might want to consider hiring a professional to deal with the problem.If a large amount of ants are nesting near your electrical system, they can cause short circuits. If there is a large amount of ants in your wall, they can cause serious structural damage by tunneling through the wood.
How to get rid of sugar ants?
– Seal up any gaps- Sugar ants love hiding in warm, moist places. They also love entering your home through small cracks in the walls or doors. You can help prevent ants from entering your home by sealing up any small gaps that you find.- Sweep up food crumbs- Sugar ants are very tiny and can enter your home through almost any crack or crevice. You should sweep up any crumbs or crumpled paper that is on the floor. Wiping down counters and tables with a damp cloth will also help.- Place bait or traps- You can buy ant traps or use bait that already exists. You can use peanut butter, sugar, or honey to trap the ants. Just make sure to place them in areas where the ants are travelling.- Wash your kitchen- Cleaning your kitchen thoroughly will help get rid of ants. Vacuum up any crumbs and wipe down surfaces with warm water and antibacterial soap. You may also want to use bleach or vinegar to clean your kitchen.
Conclusion
Sugar ants are a common indoor pest. They are often found near kitchens or bathrooms where plumbing leaks or moisture is present. If you notice ants in your home, you can get rid of them by sealing up any gaps, sweeping up crumbs, and placing bait where they travel.If a large amount of ants are nesting near your electrical system, they can cause short circuits. If there is a large amount of ants in your wall, they can cause serious structural damage by tunneling through the wood.
