Safe and Effective Ways to Eliminate Sugar Ants Indoors
You walk into your kitchen, set down your coffee, and spot them: a trail of tiny ants marching across the counter, drawn to the sugar bowl or crumbs you didn’t even notice. In Pelzer, SC, homeowners see this scenario all too often. These pests are commonly called “sugar ants,” and once they’ve found a food source, they don’t leave willingly.
The good news is there are safe, effective steps you can take to stop them. But before you reach for risky DIY remedies you’ve seen online, it’s important to understand what sugar ants really are, why they show up, and the safest way to send them packing.
What Sugar Ants Really Are and Why They Show Up in Homes
The term sugar ant is more of a nickname than a scientific name. In Pelzer homes, the “sugar ants” people notice are usually odorous house ants, pavement ants, or pharaoh ants. These species all share a taste for sweet foods, which is how they earned the name.
Sugar ants are small—usually 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch long—and they’re skilled at finding their way inside. Their tiny bodies can slip through cracks in foundations, gaps around windows, and unsealed doors. Once inside, they’re quick to form trails to food sources.
The main attractants for sugar ants include:
- Sugary foods and drinks like juice, soda, or spilled sugar granules.
- Moisture sources such as leaky faucets, condensation under sinks, or damp bathrooms.
- Unsealed food in pantries, pet bowls, or trash cans.
Once scouts discover a reliable food source, they leave behind pheromone trails for the colony to follow. That’s why wiping up a trail of ants doesn’t solve the problem—they’ll just be back, following the invisible chemical markers.
Safe Prevention and DIY Steps That Actually Work
Before an infestation grows, the best defense against sugar ants is prevention. Small daily habits can make a big difference in discouraging ants from sticking around your home.
Keep Surfaces Clean
Wipe counters, sweep floors, and wash dishes promptly. Even tiny crumbs or sticky spots can be enough to attract a line of ants.
Store Food Securely
Keep sweets, cereal, and other pantry items in sealed containers. Don’t forget about pet food—leftovers in bowls often become an easy target.
Manage Moisture
Repair leaky pipes and faucets, and keep bathrooms and kitchens as dry as possible. Ants are just as attracted to water as they are to sugar.
Block Entry Points
Seal cracks around windows, doors, and baseboards with caulk. Trim back bushes and trees touching your home, as ants often use them as bridges indoors.
Short-Term Deterrents
Some household remedies, like vinegar or soapy water sprays, can help break pheromone trails temporarily. A quick wipe with vinegar can make ants lose their path, though it won’t eliminate the colony.
These steps help keep ants under control, but they usually don’t wipe out the root problem. Colonies can contain thousands of ants—and without addressing the source, infestations can keep coming back.
The Risks of Borax and Why Professional Help Is Safer
If you’ve searched online for ways to get rid of sugar ants, you’ve likely seen borax-and-sugar mixtures recommended. The idea is that ants carry the poisoned sugar back to their colony, eventually eliminating it. While this can sometimes be effective, it’s far from safe.
Why Borax Is Risky
Borax is a chemical compound that, while natural, is toxic when handled improperly. It can cause skin irritation, eye damage, or worse if ingested. Using borax around food prep areas, children, or pets creates unnecessary risk.
A few important warnings:
- Accidental exposure: Curious kids or pets may eat the mixture.
- Food contamination: If placed near counters, cabinets, or pantries, borax can contaminate surfaces.
- Incomplete results: Ant colonies sometimes “bud,” splitting into multiple nests when stressed, which means the problem may actually spread.
Because of these hazards, borax isn’t a safe solution for most households. While it may seem inexpensive and convenient, the risks far outweigh the rewards.
Why Professional Control Works Better
Professional pest control doesn’t rely on risky DIY concoctions. Instead, trained technicians:
- Identify the exact ant species—different ants require different strategies.
- Target the colony at its source, not just the visible trail.
- Use treatments designed for safety, applied with precision to avoid risks to families, pets, and food areas.
- Prevent reinfestation with strategies that block entry points and remove attractants.
In Pelzer, where sugar ants can thrive year-round, this approach ensures the problem is solved completely rather than just temporarily.
Tired of spotting sugar ants marching across your counters in Pelzer, SC? Don’t risk your family’s health with toxic DIY methods like borax. Action Pest Services offers safe, professional ant control in Pelzer that eliminates infestations at the source. Call today to schedule your inspection and protect your home.
About the Author
Ben Downard serves as President of Action Pest Services and is a highly experienced professional in the pest control industry. With extensive expertise helping South Carolina homeowners handle everything from ants to rodents, he also offers specialized knowledge in managing sugar ants, ensuring effective and lasting solutions for even the most stubborn infestations.