Winter is here in Conroe, TX! (or something like that….) And unfortunately so are Sugar Ants. Over the last week we have seen an influx of calls come in regarding Sugar Ants in homes. You may be wondering, why is Conroe experiencing such a high volume of Sugar Ants this Winter? Colder temperatures usually taper insect populations. This season, however, is different. So we’re here to answer any questions you may have regarding the Sugar Ant and why we are seeing so many this December.
Sugar Ants are extremely small ants that form large colonies and, despite their name, they do not feed on sugar or sweets at all. These tiny insects will eat things like fruit, grease, meat products and even starchy items like bread. Items that will no doubt be at your table this Christmas and New Years.
What Do Sugar Ants Look Like?
Sugar Ants get their name from their diet of honeydew, which is a sugary substance secreted by aphids and scale insects. Sugar ant colonies can get quite large and sometimes they become nuisances for homeowners when they invade homes and kitchens looking for food or water. Sugar ants are very tiny. Most sugar ants in Conroe are about 1/16th of an inch long. Sugar ants have a different body structure than other types of ants. Their thorax is very small and their head and abdomen are both large. Sugar ant workers are mostly blind and have to rely on their mandibles for feeding. Sugar ants are typically dark brown in color but sometimes they range from yellow to light brown. Sugar Ants also have short legs and a long thin body shape.
What Does A Sugar Ant Nest Look Like?
Sugar ants nest in the ground, often near moisture. The nests are cone-shaped mounds of earth and sand that can be quite large, measuring up to 3 feet high and 2 feet in diameter. Sugar ants usually build their nests near houses, barns, or other buildings where they can find food and moisture. Inside, the nest is a maze of tunnels and chambers that can extend several feet down into the ground. Sugar ants are aggressive and will fight other ant species that invade their territory. Sugar ants are great at invading homes in the colder months because they are looking for warmth and moisture. Sugar Ants love damp, dark areas like basements, under sinks, in kitchens and crawlspaces, Sugar ants do not like light, so you are likely to see them less in brightly lit areas.
Why Are We Seeing So Many Sugar Ants In Conroe This Winter?
The unusually warm weather we’ve been experiencing in Conroe has caused an influx of Sugar Ants into our homes. Sugar Ants are looking for water and high moisture areas to nest, resulting in Sugar Ant infestations throughout the Conroe Sugar Ant Control. The warm and humid weather this December has caused an influx in Sugar Ants. Sugar Ants typically look for water and high humidity areas to nest, resulting in Sugar Ant infestations throughout the Conroe area.
What Are Sugar Ants Attracted To?
The Sugar Ant gets its name from the type of food they’re attracted to. Sugar Ants are drawn to anything sweet and sticky, such as jam or jelly. Sugar Ants will eat almost anything organic, but they have a particular taste for sweets. Sugar ants can enter homes through openings as small as a crack in an exterior door frame. They can also climb walls and cross floors to access food sources via countertops, cabinets and pantries.
Are Sugar Ants Harmful?
Sugar Ant infestations may seem harmless, but Sugar Ants have been known to damage wood structures and ruin food supplies. Sugar Ants can also contaminate food with dangerous bacteria from their bodies or the waste they produce. Additionally, Sugar Ants sometimes bite humans in self-defense. Sugar ant bites are not dangerous, but Sugar Ants release formic acid as a defense mechanism and the resulting pain and swelling may cause an allergic reaction in some people. Sugar ants aren’t very aggressive insects; you won’t see Sugar Ants swarming your picnic table or trying to bite through your clothes while you sleep. Sugar Ant colonies usually only contain a few hundred workers, but they can quickly become a problem if their food source is not eliminated.
What Can You Do To Prevent Sugar Ants From Entering Your Home?
The best way to prevent Sugar Ants from entering your home is to seal up any openings where they might be able to get in. You can do this by caulking cracks in your exterior doors, windows, floors and baseboards. Sugar Ants are also attracted to food scraps, so make sure to clean up any crumbs or spills and store your food in airtight containers. Finally, keep your kitchen and pantry clean and free of clutter. Sugar Ants like to build their nests in dark, moist places, so keep your counters and cabinets wiped down and free of dirt and debris. Sugar Ants can be difficult to get rid of once they infest your home, so the earlier you catch them the better.
What Should I Do If I Am Experiencing Sugar Ants?
If you live in Conroe, The Woodlands, Spring, TX, Houston, or anywhere else in the Greater Houston Area and you are experiencing problems with Sugar Ants this Holiday season, suffer no more! Call CPL Pest Control today for your FREE Consultation and Quote! We promise to over-exceed your expectations! Your Satisfaction or your money back, GUARANTEED! Call Today 281-683-6737, as always, ask for Chris!
Thank you for reading!
