Ants can eat a variety of things, and knowing what attracts them can help with both prevention and control efforts. Let’s take a look at what the diet of an ant consists of.
Sugars
Sugar is a main staple for many ant species. In nature, they will get this sugar from flower nectar or honeydew. Indoors however, they have a lot more options. There are soda spills, sweets, and sugar itself. All of these sugary foods will draw ants indoors and have to be kept sealed. They can also be used as baits when trying to take out a colony.
Protein
Ants can find protein from a variety of sources, but usually they will eat other insects or animal carcasses. In the home, they will go for meats, peanut butter, and pet food. Some ant species will even engage in cannibalistic behavior, invading other colonies and eating the workers.
Fat
Some ants also enjoy foods that are high in fat, so fatty spills and other fatty foods can also provide the sustenance they need. Like with other types of foods, it’s best to keep foods high in fat in sealed containers and out of the reach of ants and other pests.
Greenery
Some ant species are fully vegan. They will go for plants, grains, seeds, leaves and other types of greenery. Some species are even able to farm. The leaf-cutter ant will cut sections off leaves and grass, and then use those sections as fertilizer to grow fungus, which they will then eat.
Other things that will draw ants to the home
Besides food, ants may enter the home for several other reasons. One of these reasons is the presence of water, especially during droughts or when the temperatures outside reduce the overall humidity in the environment. Ants will also be on the lookout for warmth during the colder seasons – if the temperatures get too low, they will be drawn to the home.
What to do if you have an ant infestation
The best way to get rid of an ant infestation is to work with a pro, who will make sure that the reproductive capacity of the colony is destroyed. This will ensure that the infestation is destroyed completely, and that the colony responsible will not be able to recover. Contact us today if you have an ant infestation and we will get rid of it for you.
