How to Get Rid of Sugar Ants with Borax

Sugar ants are a common nuisance, especially in warm, humid climates. If you’ve spotted these tiny invaders in your kitchen or pantry, you’re likely wondering how to get rid of ants for good. Using borax is one of the most effective DIY methods to eliminate sugar ants and destroy their entire colony.

This guide walks you through detailed steps to get rid of ants while incorporating additional tips to handle an ant problem effectively.

Key Takeaways

• A borax mixture with sugar or peanut butter effectively kills sugar ants and their entire colony.
• Bait stations placed near ant trails and entry points attract ants while keeping them out of reach.
• Worker ants carry borax bait back to the colony, spreading it to eliminate the queen and other ants.
• Severe infestations may require professional pest control services for long-term pest management.

How to Use Borax to Eliminate Sugar Ants

Getting rid of sugar ants with borax is a simple process when you follow these steps. Start by gathering your materials, preparing the bait, and setting up bait stations in the right locations.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Gather Your Materials

Here’s what you’ll need to create a borax solution for sugar ants:

• Borax
• Powdered sugar or cup of sugar
• Warm water
• Cotton balls or bottle caps
• Peanut butter (optional)

2. Prepare the Borax Bait

To effectively kill ants, the borax bait needs to be appealing. Here’s how to create it:

Liquid Borax Solution

Combine 1 cup of warm water, 2 tablespoons of borax available in stores or online (e.g., Amazon), and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Stir until the sugar and borax dissolve completely.

This solution is ideal for soaking cotton balls or filling small containers.

Solid Borax Bait

Mix equal parts sugar and borax to create a dry bait. For a paste-like consistency, add a few drops of water and mix until smooth. This bait works well in bottle caps or directly along ant trails.

Peanut Butter Borax Bait

Mix 3 parts peanut butter with 1 part borax to create a protein-rich bait. This option is particularly effective for attracting any type of ants that are drawn to protein-based foods.

3. Set Up Ant Bait Stations

Set up your ant bait stations by soaking cotton balls in the borax solution or placing the paste in bottle caps.

Position these bait stations along ant trails, near windows, doors, and other entry points, as well as inside cabinets where ants are active.

For their safety, always ensure the bait is placed out of reach of pets and children.

4. Let the Ants Do the Work

Don’t kill worker ants on sight.

Instead, allow them to carry the bait back to the ant colony, where it will be shared with the queen and larvae, eliminating the rest of the colony.

5. Monitor and Replenish

Check the bait stations daily. Replace the bait as needed to maintain its effectiveness.

You may see more ants initially as they gather the bait, but this is a sign that the solution is working.

Why Does Borax Work to Kill Ants?

Borax (sodium borate) is highly effective at eliminating ants by disrupting their digestive system. Worker ants consume the borax bait and carry it back to their colony, where it’s shared with other ants, including the queen.

This ensures the entire colony is eliminated.

Besides sugar ants, it works well against black ants and can also help control pests like carpenter ants. However, it may not be as effective for more aggressive species, such as fire ants.

For a stronger ant killer, you can use boric acid, a concentrated form of boron. While effective, it should be handled carefully to avoid potential risks.

Alternatives to Borax for DIY Ant Control

If borax isn’t available or suitable for your home, consider these other DIY methods:

• Baking Soda and Sugar: Like borax, baking soda can disrupt an ant’s digestive system.
• Diatomaceous Earth: A natural powder you can sprinkle on ant hills that damages the ants’ exoskeletons.
• Essential Oils: Scents like peppermint can repel ants. Mix peppermint oil with water and spray it along ant trails and entry points.
• Ant Traps: Commercial traps can also effectively lure and kill sugar ants.

How to Prevent Future Sugar Ant Problems

To avoid dealing with sugar ants again:

1. Store food in airtight containers and clean up crumbs immediately.
2. Dispose of trash regularly since trash bins can be a food source for ants.
3. Use caulk to close cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and walls.
4. Wipe down counters with vinegar or soapy water to disrupt ant trails.
5. Control aphid populations on plants to reduce honeydew production.
6. Schedule a quarterly pest control plan to keep sugar ants, as well as other pests like roaches, termites, and even bed bugs, away.

Still Seeing Sugar Ants? Here’s When to Call Pest Control

Using borax to get rid of sugar ants is an effective and affordable DIY hack for managing ant infestations.

If DIY methods fail or you’re dealing with a severe infestation, professional pest control services may be the best way to handle the infestation.

At Native Pest Management, we provide customized solutions for ant control and other pests like cockroaches and termites. Whether it’s sugar ants or a larger ant problem, our team has the expertise to keep your home pest-free.

For expert help with ants or other pests, contact us today!