How to Get Rid of an Ant Infestation
1. Avoid Contact Killers
If you’re facing an ant invasion, your first instinct might be to spray them with a contact killer, like Raid or vinegar. While this might provide a temporary solution, it won’t solve the root of the problem. These sprays kill ants on contact but don’t reach the colony or eliminate the pheromone trails that keep attracting more ants to your home.
2. Baiting: The Long-Term Solution
For a more effective approach, use ant bait traps, like the popular Tarot traps. These baits are slow-acting but allow ants to carry the poison back to their colony. Once the worker ants share the bait with others, the colony will be wiped out. It’s a more patient process, but it’s also more effective than relying on contact killers.
3. Cleaning the Pheromone Trails
After baiting and killing ants, make sure to clean the area thoroughly with soap and water to remove any lingering pheromone trails. This prevents new ants from following the scent and returning to your home.
Sugar Ant Description
Size
The sugar ant is very small—measuring about 2.4-3.3mm long. They are typically about as small as a pencil eraser. Although they are small, they quickly become noticeable as they swarm around food or stream through your home in a line.
Color
Sugar ants are typically black in color.
Smell
This might sound strange, but when crushed, sugar ants release an unpleasant, coconut-smelling odor. Sugar ants have a gland that releases this smell and it’s why they are called the odorous house ant.
