Ants are one of the most common pests there is. They will invade homes and even businesses looking to pilfer anything that looks appetizing. Their social behaviors mean if you see one ant, there are always more; no matter how many times you assault them with the most convenient cleaner you can find. Even outside enjoying some loaf time on the lawn seems to have ants nearby to deliver painful pinches when you are on their turf. With the thousands of ant species roaming the world, there are some that are more common localized in specific areas. In Northern Utah and Southern Idaho, sugar ants are one of the common ants and we at Rentokil would like to relate the fundamentals today.

Sugar Ant Identification

Many people will commonly mistake any small ant that is drawn to sweets, but a sugar ant is a part of the Camponotus consobrinus species. They range in size from 5/64-19/32 inches long. Female workers have orange-colored bodies where the male royals are winged and black.

What Attracts Sugar Ants to Your Home

These pests initially are brought in close proximity to your home because of the plants that secrete nectar, from there, the sugar ants will discover the consistent and often tasty food source inside your home. More often than not, sugar ants are not content with outdoor living and prefer comfortable indoor living, especially if there is a ready supply of sweets.

Sugar Ant Damage

Swarms of sugar ants are a nuisance, especially when they find that sweet offering, though they are not harmful. These ants are able to gnaw through the thin plastic containers, paper, and cardboard food packaging to claim their prize. Additionally, sugar ants will attack other pests that feed on them such as spiders and centipedes.

Do Sugar Ants Bite or Sting?

Sugar ants are a mild-mannered pest that doesn’t sting, but they may bite if their nest is disturbed and they feel threatened. Though the bites are not painful, some may experience allergic reactions that can be remedied with an application of antibiotic creams, however, if symptoms worsen, its recommended you seek medical attention immediately.

Where Do Sugar Ants Live & What Do They Eat?

Sugar ants, also known as banded sugar ants, are more concentrated in suburban areas because of their preference for food. They favor warmer and humid climates but in the wild, are found in forests, heaths, and woodlands and constructing their nests the holes of wood, under or around rocks, within the soil and under twigs of shrubs and trees. In the outdoors, sugar ants prefer the honeydew from aphids and will go to great lengths to protect the aphids from their predators in order to protect their food source.

Ant Control

In late spring or early autumn, the eggs that the sugar ant queen produces will hatch into new queens or males. While sugar ant workers keep guard on the ground during the autumn, thousands of alates mate in the air. If you believe you have sugar ants invading your home or landscape, call in the experts of Rentokil and our experts will rectify the problem as quickly as possible.