Get Rid Of Sugar Ants In Your Bedroom

Sugar ants are a common household pest that can be a nightmare for homeowners. These tiny pests are attracted to sweet foods and will invade your home in search of candy, soda, fruit peels, or spilled drinks. They are not dangerous and will not sting, but they can quickly become a nuisance as their population within a home grows. This article will provide an introduction to the topic of how to get rid of sugar ants in a bedroom, covering various methods such as sealing entry points, eliminating food sources, using natural repellents, and calling a professional exterminator.

Seal entry points

Seal any potential entry points to your home. Ants can enter through the tiniest of openings, including gaps in the foundation, cracks in the wall or flooring, and open windows or doors. Seal any cracks and crevices with caulk, especially around baseboards, windowsills, and other potential entry points. For cracks in the exterior, including the house foundation, use spackle to fill in the space, then add a coat of paint for further protection.

Ensure that exterior door sweeps and window screens are fitted well, undamaged, and securely closed. Check your home for any other possible entry points, such as gaps or holes in the home's exterior, and seal them with caulk. Trim any shrubs, trees, and plants so that they do not touch your home.

Eliminate food sources

Sugar ants are attracted to sweet foods, but they also like proteins and fats. They are foragers, so they are constantly on the hunt for food and water sources to support their colonies. As such, eliminating food sources is a highly effective way to get rid of sugar ants.

Firstly, you should remove any open food sources. Transfer all foods to airtight containers to prevent ants from catching a whiff or getting to the source. Clean any food spills, particularly sweet or sticky ones, immediately. Ants communicate via scent trails, so wiping down countertops with soapy water or cleaning spray removes any scent trails, which helps stop attracting other members of the colony.

You should also keep any sugar-ant hotspots clean. Ants are attracted to crumbs and spills, so make sure to keep your kitchen and bathroom clean. They are also attracted to water, so check for any standing water in the sink, tub, or pooled on the countertop.

In addition to eliminating food sources, you can also try natural repellents. For example, peppermint oil, lemon juice, garlic, bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, and coffee grounds can be used to deter sugar ants from their scent trails.

Use natural repellents

Sugar ants are attracted to sweet foods and can ravage your home in search of sugar. They are also drawn to proteins and fats, especially in the fall. They are small, usually under 4mm in length, and are black, brown, or orange in colour. They can be a nightmare to deal with, but there are natural ways to repel them.

Sugar ants can be repelled by natural substances with strong smells, such as peppermint oil, lemon juice, tea tree oil, or bay leaves. These can be placed in areas where the insects have been spotted, or even located and spread in their nest to get rid of the entire colony.

Another natural repellent is vinegar, which can be mixed with water and sprayed around doors, windowsills, and countertops. This is an effective DIY repellent as the strong scent disrupts the ants' sense of smell.

Diatomaceous earth is also a natural ant killer, as it dehydrates insects. Food-grade diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled along ant trails to destroy their digestive systems.

Used coffee grounds are another natural repellent. Sprinkling them along the perimeter of your home, especially near entryways, will repel sugar ants.

Mint and bay leaves planted around the house's foundation and entryways will also deter sugar ants. Ensure the plants receive adequate water and sunlight and are pruned regularly to improve their efficacy as a repellent.

Garlic is another natural repellent. Hanging garlic bulbs in a pantry will mask the smell of sweets, causing the ants to stay away.

Cloves and other foods with strong odors can also deter sugar ants from their scent trail by confusing them.

Use borax and sugar water

Borax is a powdery substance that can be purchased at your local supermarket. It is a great option if you have children or pets as it is safer than boric acid. To use borax to get rid of sugar ants, mix equal parts borax powder and white sugar with a small amount of water to create a thick paste. Place this mixture in areas where you have spotted the ants. This will act as a reliable ant bait and food source but is very dangerous to the insects.

The sugar will attract the ants, and they will bring the borax back to their colony, where it will kill them. This method may take a few days, but it is an effective way to get rid of sugar ants in your bedroom without using harsh chemicals.

• Purchase borax powder from your local supermarket.
• Mix equal parts borax and white sugar with a small amount of water to create a thick paste.
• Place the mixture onto cardboard or a small lid and put it in areas where you have spotted the ants, such as windowsills or countertops.
• The sugar will attract the ants, and they will take the bait back to their colony.
• It may take a few days, but the borax will kill the ants.
• Reapply the mixture if needed until the ant problem is resolved.

Remember to keep the borax mixture out of the reach of children and pets, and always follow safety instructions when using any pest control products.

Call a professional

If you're struggling with sugar ants in your bedroom, it may be time to call in a professional pest control expert. While there are many DIY methods you can try, they may not offer a long-lasting solution to your problem. A professional exterminator will have extensive knowledge of how to get rid of sugar ants and access to the most effective treatments to eradicate them. They will be able to locate the colony and destroy it at the source, guaranteeing long-lasting results.

The cost of hiring an exterminator will depend on your location and the extent of the infestation. On average, sugar ant extermination costs around $200 to $250, but prices can range from $80 to $500. You may also opt for ongoing treatments or maintenance services, which will incur additional costs.

When choosing a pest control company, look for one that offers non-invasive and environmentally friendly treatments. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach that focuses on long-term prevention and considers the ecology and environmental impact of each measure.

Before hiring a professional, it is important to identify the type of sugar ant you are dealing with, as different species have unique habitats and behaviours that influence the best control strategy. For example, the ants may be pavement ants, odorous house ants, Argentine ants, little black ants, crazy ants, or ghost ants.

• Choose a company that specialises in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM is a comprehensive approach that focuses on long-term prevention while minimising risks to human health and the environment.
• Ask about their experience with sugar ants specifically. Ensure they have a track record of successfully treating infestations caused by this particular type of ant.
• Inquire about the products and methods they use. Avoid companies that rely heavily on harsh chemicals, and opt for those that offer more natural and eco-friendly solutions.
• Request a detailed plan and estimate. A good pest control company will provide you with a customised plan outlining the specific treatments they recommend and the associated costs.
• Check reviews and references. Look for testimonials from previous customers to ensure the company has a good track record of effective and reliable service.

By following these tips and hiring a reputable pest control company, you can rest assured that your sugar ant problem will be handled effectively and safely.

Frequently asked questions