What do ants eat?

Like us, they love food and water (species may vary)

Ants like to eat a lot of food that humans do: potato chips, bread, jelly, and sugar. They may also eat other insects. Anything you can do to remove exposed human and pet food, clean up spills, and seal or take out the trash can help mitigate your ant problem. Do not let your kitchen floor become an ant buffet!

Call in the Clean Up Crew

5 Ways to Remove UAF (Unintentional Ant Food)

Clean up food and drink spills right away
Store all food in sealed, airtight Ziploc® containers
Avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink
Wipe down sticky jars of things like honey or jam before placing them in the pantry
Regularly sweep and mop floors, especially in the kitchen and dining room

Did you know?

Outdoors, plant-feeding insects such as aphids produce a sticky substance that many ants eat. This substance may be found on the leaf itself, or any surfaces under it such as outdoor furniture, cars, picnic tables, the deck, or siding.

Start a Drought to Keep Ants Out

Ants are as attracted to water as they are to food, so it is important to keep surfaces in your home dry–including sinks!

Tiny Trailblazers

When one ant finds food or water, they will lay down a chemical trail that guides other worker ants to the source—you will see trails of ants going back and forth from the food or water.

Expert Tip

How to Control Carpenter Ants

Contrary to popular belief, carpenter ants do not eat wood; they just burrow in it! They actually eat a variety of honeydew, sweets, meats, other insects, and fats. Removing dead or dying trees near the home and repairing water-damaged wood can help prevent carpenter ants from nesting there.

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Pet Food is Ant Food

Because ants will feast on pet food, itis important to keep kibble in pet dishes only when pets are feeding on it. If that is not realistic, try placing pet food bowls in a slightly larger bowl that has been filled with water. By doing so, you will create a moat that ants cannot easily cross.

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