Tiny house ants are a common nuisance that can invade your home in search of food, water, and shelter. They are usually harmless, but they can be annoying and difficult to get rid of. In this article, you will learn:
- What are tiny house ants and what causes them to infest your home
- How to identify the different types of tiny house ants and their food preferences
- How to kill the ants with natural or commercial methods
- How to repel the ants and prevent them from coming back
- How to keep your home clean and ant-proof
| Key Takeaways | |
|---|---|
| Tiny house ants are small ants that belong to one of five species: the little black ant, the pharaoh ant, the odorous house ant, the pavement ant, or the Argentine ant. | They are attracted to food, water, and warm or moist places in your home. |
| To get rid of tiny house ants, you need to find their entry points, eliminate their food sources, and use bait traps, Borax, or other methods to kill them and their colony. | You also need to seal any cracks and crevices, keep your kitchen and bathroom clean and dry, and use natural or chemical repellents to deter them from coming back. |
| Tiny house ants are not dangerous, but they can contaminate your food and damage your property. | They can also be a sign of other pest problems, such as termites, carpenter ants, or rodents. |
What are Tiny House Ants and What Causes Them to Infest Your Home?
Tiny house ants are small ants that measure about one-eighth of an inch in length. They are usually black, brown, or reddish in color, depending on the species. They live in colonies that can contain hundreds or thousands of workers, queens, and males. They are social insects that communicate with each other using pheromones, chemicals that convey information such as food location, danger, or mating signals.
Tiny house ants can infest your home for various reasons, such as:
- Food: Tiny house ants are scavengers that feed on a variety of foods, such as sugar, honey, fruit, meat, grease, cheese, bread, and crumbs. They can also feed on dead insects, pet food, or garbage. They are especially attracted to sweet and sticky substances, such as syrup, jam, or soda. They can smell food from a distance and follow the scent trail left by other ants to find it. They can also carry food back to their nest to share with the rest of the colony.
- Water: Tiny house ants need water to survive and reproduce. They can find water in sinks, faucets, drains, pipes, toilets, showers, bathtubs, or humidifiers. They can also find water in plants, flowers, or fruits. They are more likely to enter your home during dry or hot weather, when water is scarce outside.
- Shelter: Tiny house ants need a warm and moist place to build their nest and protect their eggs and larvae. They can nest in various places in your home, such as walls, floors, ceilings, cabinets, furniture, appliances, or electrical outlets. They can also nest in outdoor areas, such as soil, wood, mulch, rocks, or bricks. They can enter your home through small gaps, cracks, or holes in the foundation, siding, windows, doors, or screens. They can also hitchhike on plants, flowers, or firewood that you bring into your home.
Here is the second part of the article:
How to Identify the Different Types of Tiny House Ants and Their Food Preferences
There are five common species of tiny house ants that you may encounter in your home. They are:
- The little black ant (Monomorium minimum): This ant is shiny black and has a segmented body with a stinger. It feeds on sweets, meats, grease, fruits, and vegetables. It nests in soil, wood, rocks, or under carpets. It is active during the day and night.
- The pharaoh ant (Monomorium pharaonis): This ant is yellow or light brown and has a segmented body with a stinger. It feeds on sweets, meats, cheese, blood, and dead insects. It nests in warm and humid places, such as walls, cabinets, appliances, or electrical outlets. It is active during the day and night.
- The odorous house ant (Tapinoma sessile): This ant is dark brown or black and has a segmented body with no stinger. It emits a rotten coconut smell when crushed. It feeds on sweets, meats, dairy products, and honeydew from aphids. It nests in soil, wood, mulch, or under carpets. It is active during the day and night.
- The pavement ant (Tetramorium caespitum): This ant is dark brown or black and has a segmented body with a stinger. It has parallel grooves on its head and thorax. It feeds on sweets, meats, seeds, nuts, and bread. It nests in soil, pavement cracks, or under stones. It is active during the day and night.
- The Argentine ant (Linepithema humile): This ant is light to dark brown and has a segmented body with no stinger. It has a single node on its waist. It feeds on sweets, meats, oils, and honeydew from aphids. It nests in soil, wood, mulch, or under carpets. It is active during the day and night.
To identify the type of tiny house ants you have, you can observe their color, size, shape, smell, and behavior. You can also use a magnifying glass to examine their body features. Knowing the type of ants you have can help you choose the best bait and repellent for them. You can also search online for pictures and descriptions of different ant species.
How to Kill the Ants with Natural or Commercial Methods
There are several ways to kill the ants and their colony once you have identified their entry points and food sources. You can use natural or commercial methods, depending on your preference and budget. Here are some of the most effective methods to kill the ants:
- Bait traps: Bait traps are containers that contain a toxic substance mixed with a food attractant. The ants will take the bait and bring it back to their nest, where they will share it with the rest of the colony. The toxic substance will slowly kill the ants and their queen. You can buy commercial bait traps or make your own using Borax and corn syrup. Place the bait traps near the ant trails or entry points, and replace them every few days until you see no more ants. ¹²
- Diatomaceous earth: Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a fine powder made from fossilized algae. It has sharp edges that can cut through the ants’ exoskeleton and cause them to dehydrate and die. You can sprinkle DE along the ant trails or entry points, and reapply it after rain or watering. Make sure to use food-grade DE, which is safe for humans and pets. ³⁴
- Boiling water: Boiling water can kill the ants and their nest instantly. You can pour boiling water into the ant mound or hole, or use a funnel to direct the water into the nest. Be careful not to burn yourself or damage your plants or property. You may need to repeat this method several times to ensure that you have killed the entire colony. ⁵
- Vinegar: Vinegar is a natural acid that can disrupt the ants’ sense of smell and taste. It can also kill the ants on contact. You can spray vinegar directly on the ants or their nest, or make a vinegar solution with water and a few drops of essential oil. You can also wipe down your countertops, floors, and other surfaces with vinegar to remove the ants’ scent trails and deter them from coming back.
- Bleach: Bleach is a powerful disinfectant that can kill the ants and their nest. It can also erase the ants’ scent trails and prevent them from finding their way back. You can spray bleach directly on the ants or their nest, or make a bleach solution with water and dish soap. You can also wipe down your countertops, floors, and other surfaces with bleach to repel the ants. Be careful not to inhale the bleach fumes or mix it with other chemicals.
How to Repel the Ants and Prevent Them from Coming Back
After you have killed the ants and their colony, you need to take some preventive measures to keep them from coming back. Here are some of the best ways to repel the ants and prevent them from infesting your home again:
- Seal the gaps and cracks: Seal any gaps and cracks in your foundation, siding, windows, doors, or screens that the ants can use to enter your home. You can use caulk, silicone, or weather stripping to seal the openings. You can also use steel wool or copper mesh to fill the holes.
- Keep your kitchen and bathroom clean and dry: Keep your kitchen and bathroom clean and dry to eliminate the ants’ food and water sources. Wipe down your countertops, stovetop, sink, and faucet after each use. Sweep and mop your floors regularly. Store your food in airtight containers or in the refrigerator. Empty your trash can and rinse your recycling bin frequently. Fix any leaking pipes or faucets to remove excess moisture.
- Use natural or chemical repellents: Use natural or chemical repellents to deter the ants from entering your home. You can use spices and herbs, such as cinnamon, cloves, mint, bay leaves, or garlic, to create a barrier around your home. You can also use essential oils, such as peppermint, lemon, lavender, or tea tree, to spray or diffuse around your home. You can also use commercial repellents, such as ant sprays, granules, or stakes, to create a perimeter around your home. Follow the instructions on the label and keep them away from children and pets.
How to Keep Your Home Clean and Ant-Proof
Keeping your home clean and ant-proof is the best way to avoid ant infestations in the future. Here are some tips to keep your home free of ants:
- Keep your plants and flowers healthy: Keep your plants and flowers healthy and pest-free to prevent the ants from feeding on their sap or honeydew. You can use natural or chemical pesticides to control aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, or other pests that may attract ants. You can also prune your plants and flowers to remove any dead or diseased parts that may attract ants.
- Keep your firewood and mulch away from your home: Keep your firewood and mulch away from your home to prevent the ants from nesting in them. You can store your firewood in a dry and elevated place, and keep it at least 20 feet away from your home. You can also use gravel or stone instead of mulch, or keep it at least 6 inches away from your foundation.
- Keep your grass mowed and your trees and shrubs trimmed: Keep your grass mowed and your trees and shrubs trimmed to prevent the ants from using them as bridges to enter your home. You can also apply a band of sticky material, such as Tanglefoot, around the trunks of your trees and shrubs to prevent the ants from climbing them.
- Keep your gutters, porches, and perimeters clean and clear of debris: Keep your gutters, porches, and perimeters clean and clear of debris to prevent the ants from finding shelter or food in them. You can clean your gutters regularly to remove any leaves, twigs, or dirt that may clog them. You can also sweep your porches and perimeters to remove any crumbs, spills, or garbage that may attract ants.
Tiny house ants are a common nuisance that can invade your home in search of food, water, and shelter. They are usually harmless, but they can be annoying and difficult to get rid of. By following the steps in this article, you can identify the type of ants you have, kill them with natural or commercial methods, repel them and prevent them from coming back, and keep your home clean and ant-proof. You can also consult a professional pest control service if you have a severe or persistent ant problem.
