January 16, 2025

What is the Best Way to Kill Sugar Ants?

Finding sugar ants in your home can be one of the most annoying—and relentless—problems to deal with.

They may be tiny, but these uninvited guests have a way of taking over your countertops, sneaking into your pantry, and creating long trails that seem impossible to break.

The good news is, there are plenty of strategies to handle them and send them packing. Even better, we at Zunex Pest Control specialize in tackling sugar ants professionally, so if you’re fed up with seeing ants where they don’t belong, we’ve got your long-term solution covered.

So, what is the best way to kill sugar ants?

Before jumping into the best ways to get rid of these ants, try to understand why they’re attracted to your home in the first place. It’s all about survival—sugar ants are drawn to any sugary or carbohydrate-rich food sources.

Once they’ve found something to munch on, word spreads quickly back to the colony. It’s not just crumbs either; sticky leaks from jars, unsealed bags of snacks, or even pet food can be enough to bring them running—or crawling.

Luckily, a few simple steps can cut off their supply chain and eliminate their trails—all while preventing their return.

What Attracts Sugar Ants To Your Home

Group of ants crawling through a bowl of sugar

Sugar ants, also known as pharaoh ants, are opportunists, notorious for being one of the most difficult ant species to control. Your kitchen or pantry can feel like a gold mine to these tiny scavengers, especially if food is left out or improperly stored.

They’re not picky, either—bread crumbs, candy, fruit juice stains, or even the sugar at the bottom of your coffee cup can attract them.

Once one ant discovers a food source, they leave behind a pheromone trail so the rest of the colony can follow. One ant becomes dozens, and soon you’ve got a full parade working its way across your counters.

Another major attraction? Water. Sugar ants need water to survive, and your leaky faucet or damp sink can be just as enticing as your snacks.

You’ll often find them near sinks, drains, or damp spots in your bathroom or laundry room. Their ability to squeeze into the smallest cracks in your walls or floors makes them masters at finding points of entry that most homeowners wouldn’t even notice.

Finally, sugar ants thrive wherever there’s shelter. Your walls, baseboards, and even small spaces under appliances make the perfect hiding spots for ant colonies. Combine those with food and water sources, and it’s no wonder they settle in so quickly.

What is the Best Way to Kill Sugar Ants?

Ant sitting atop a sugar-filled spoon

Now that you know why these ants are drawn to your home, it’s time to take action. Start by addressing the immediate infestation before moving on to long-term prevention.

1. Clean Up and Cut Off Food Sources

Start with the basics—give your home a deep cleaning. Wipe down your countertops, tables, and any other surfaces where you’ve seen ants. Pay extra attention to sticky spills and forgotten crumbs, as these are often their favorite hiding spots.

Next, store all food in airtight containers. This includes pantry staples like sugar, cereal, and flour, which should be kept in sealed plastic or glass containers. Even pet food should be stored tightly when not in use, and crumbs from bowls swept away promptly.

2. Eliminate Water Access

Fix leaky faucets or pipes promptly. Sugar ants are creatures of habit, and if they can’t find moisture easily, they’re more likely to look elsewhere.

Dry out your sink after washing dishes, and regularly wipe down damp areas like bathroom counters or around water appliances. Cutting off their water supply can make it harder for ants to stick around.

3. Use Home Remedies and Baits

If you’re dealing with just a few ants, a homemade solution can often do the trick. A mix of white vinegar and water (equal parts) makes for an effective, natural ant repellent. Spray it along window sills, door frames, or wherever you’ve spotted their entry points. The vinegar disrupts their pheromone trails and discourages them from returning.

For larger infestations, bait stations are your best bet. Keep in mind that baits work by attracting ants to carry poisoned food back to the colony, so don’t be alarmed if you see more ants at first.

Look for sugar ant-specific bait products, place them near ant trails, and give them time to work. Remember, patience is key—a single bait station won’t be enough to take down an entire colony overnight.

4. Block Entry Points

Once you’ve dealt with the ants already inside, it’s time to make your home less accessible to newcomers. Inspect your house closely for cracks or gaps around windows, doors, and baseboards, sealing them with caulk where necessary.

Don’t forget about utility lines or vents, as sugar ants are masters at slipping through even the tiniest gaps.

5. Monitor and Prevent with Expert Help

If those ants keep reappearing no matter what you do, professional help may be your best option. That’s where our expert team at Zunex can help.

Our expert ant control services offer more than just a quick fix. We identify the root of the problem, eliminate current infestations, and apply long-term treatments to keep ants from coming back.

Whether it’s one persistent trail or an entire colony problem, we’re equipped with the tools and expertise to keep your home ant-free for good.

6. Focus on Long-Term Maintenance

Even once the ants are gone, regular maintenance is essential to keep them at bay. Keep food storage airtight, seal cracks in fixtures, and routinely check for leaks or damp spots that might attract moisture-seeking pests.

Think of it as an ongoing investment in keeping your home—and pantry—ant-free.

Why Zunex is the Ultimate Solution for Sugar Ants

Ants crawling on the ground and eating a piece of bread

When DIY solutions aren't enough, or you simply don’t have the time to tackle sugar ants on your own, Zunex offers reliable, professional pest control services you can count on. Homeowners in Auburn, WA, Salt Lake City, and Provo, Utah have trusted us for years to handle their toughest pest problems.

So what is the best way to kill sugar ants? At Zunex, we use targeted treatments designed specifically for sugar ants, ensuring the entire colony is eliminated—not just the ants you see marching in your kitchen. And because we believe in proactive solutions, we don’t just treat the ants; we help you prevent them from returning.

We’re proud to serve our communities and provide peace of mind with proven solutions that work. You take care of the home—leave the pest control to us.

If you’re ready for a long-term solution with guaranteed results, we’re here to help. Contact Zunex Pest Control in Auburn, WA, or in Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah, for the most effective sugar ant treatments available.

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