Insecticide for Sugar Ants

Ants share food with other ants, so use food baited with insecticide to kill ant colonies.

Any species of small black ant, like a Pharaoh ant, is called commonly a sugar ant because they are attracted to sweet foods. They can be killed with a variety of insecticides and baits.

Function

Sugar ants live in colonies, so their entire colony must be wiped out and not just one ant at a time. The means to eradicate ants include locating the nest and dumping insecticide on it or using foods baited with insecticides. The ants take the bait back to the nest and share it.

Expert Advice

Since sugar ants often live in homes, using sprays, dusts or granular insecticides may cause illness to people and pets in the house. Baits made with boric acid kill sugar ants, but are not as toxic as other insecticides, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Procedure

Mix one part boric acid with 100 parts thick sugary liquid, like honey or corn syrup. Place masking tape where ants have been spotted or are congregating. Place bait on the masking tape. Be sure to keep the bait away from pets, children and plants.

References

• Texas A & M University Texas Agrigultural Extension Service: House-Infesting Ants and Their Management
• Living With Bugs: Homemade Ant Killer Bait
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Ant Baits: A Least Toxic Control

Resources

• Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences: Ants
• University of Minnesota Extension: What to Do About Household Ants
• Living with Bugs: Boric Acid and Borate Insecticides