The name sugar ant may conjure up a vision in your mind’s eye of a scene from the Nutcracker or a Candyland game. Well, these ants may be coated in sugar, but that’s only because they have been crawling around inside your sugar bowl. Not quite the type of confection most Baltimoreans are interested in. Luckily, Pest Czar is only a phone call away, and ready to kill the sugar craving.

What Is A Sugar Ant?

So, this can be a complicated question, but we will attempt to clarify things for you. Real sugar ants are native to Australia, and are called banded sugar ants. While they are not overly common in the United States, they can be found here. Much like the Argentine ant, they migrated, probably in a cargo ship. Because most ants are attracted to sweets, here in the U.S. we have given the name ‘sugar ant’ to a wide variety of ants, but true banded sugar ants are:

  • .02 to .06 inches long (the queens are larger).
  • Yellowish-brown in color, with a black or dark brown head and band on gaster (rear).
  • Nocturnal.
  • Thrive in various locations, including structures.
  • Love sugar, but are omnivores and will eat what is available.

So, what are you dealing with? The real deal, or something else? There are several ant species that behave similarly to the banded sugar ant, here is a brief description of the top four:

1. Odorous house ant – Emits foul odor when crushed, nests in the ground.

2. Pavement ant – Typically lives under sidewalks.

3. Pharaoh ant – Yellow color, considered the most difficult ant to control indoors.

4. Acrobat ant – They prefer a moist environment, and tend to swarm during mating times.

What A Nuisance They Are!

Whatever species you have invading your home, they are handled in the same way. They are a nuisance that nobody wants to deal with; getting into your cabinets, drawers, and pantries to raid your food supplies. They search out every crumb or spill of a sugary drink and invade. They will gnaw through plastic wrap, paper, or cardboard to get to your Cocoa Puffs. These types of ants can bite when they feel threatened, but rarely does the average human feel anything. Really, the only danger comes from the transmission of disease. Ants will crawl over a dead animal carcass, then into your home and onto your countertops. This has the potential to deposit unwelcome germs on your food preparation areas.

Why Won’t They Go Away?

Ants are resilient, and hard to get rid of. They are social insects, which means they live in large colonies with thousands of other ants. The quantity of ants alone is enough to make eradication difficult. At the slightest threat, they are prepared to evacuate the colony and relocate. This evasion technique serves them well, protecting them not only from natural predators, but from aggravated homeowners as well. Pest Czar is a woman-owned, small local company with big values. We are integrity-driven, solution-oriented, and environmentally responsible. Our tiered service plans are structured to meet everyone’s needs. Call for a free ant protection quote today for your Baltimore home.

How To Prevent Sugar Ants

Ant prevention can prove difficult, but with these few prevention tips and Pest Czar’s ongoing assistance, you can keep them away.

  • Tighten up any leaky pipes, and cover them with insulation to avoid condensation.
  • Plug up all the holes that you can find in your home.
  • Keep food in plastic, airtight containers with seals. Ants are tricky, and can follow the spiral threads up into a tightly screwed-on lid to gain entry.
  • Clean up any debris or fallen trees around your home.
  • Use peppermint oil as a deterrent at entry points.
  • Take out garbage frequently.

Do what you can by following these tips, and we will do the rest! You’ve got this! A pest-free weekend is right around the corner.