Tips

The Sweet Solution: How to Keep Ants Away from Your Sugar Jar

The pesky ant infestation in your sugar jar can be a frustrating sight, but there's no need to feel helpless or resort to drastic measures like throwing it all away. There is a simple and effective solution to banish those ants and keep your sugar ant-free. With a few easy steps, you can reclaim your sugar and maintain a pest-free environment in your kitchen. Stay tuned to discover the secret to ant-proof sugar!

Administrator

2 August, 2024

Ants are attracted to sugar, and it can be frustrating when they invade your sugar jar. While it may seem impossible to get rid of them without throwing away the sugar, there are some easy tricks to try.

How to Get Rid of Ants from Your Sugar Jar

Leaving the lid slightly ajar is an open invitation for ants to invade your sugar jar. To evict these unwelcome guests, try the following methods:

A simple trick to keep ants away from your sugar using a stainless steel spoon. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Use chopsticks/spoons (stainless steel or wooden): Insert a chopstick or spoon into the sugar jar to attract the ants, then remove and shake off the ants.

Warm the sugar jar over a flame: Open the lid and hold the jar near a small flame. The heat will drive the ants out, but be careful not to burn the sugar or melt the jar.

Use newspaper: Pour the sugar onto a clean sheet of newspaper and place it in a sunny spot or a well-ventilated area. Gently tap the paper to encourage the ants to leave.

Knock on the jar: Open the lid and knock gently on the side of the jar. The ants will sense the vibration and try to escape, but this method may not be very effective.

Use garlic: Crush a few garlic cloves and place them in the sugar jar. Knock on the side of the jar, and the ants will leave to escape the strong garlic scent.

How to Keep Ants Away from Your Sugar Jar

To prevent ants from invading your sugar jar in the first place, you need to take some precautionary measures. Here are some simple tips to keep them at bay:

Maintain a clean kitchen: It’s important to keep your kitchen and sugar storage area clean, as ants are easily attracted by food odors. Wipe down counters, tables, floors, and shelves to ensure no crumbs or spills are left behind.

Use a sealed container: Store your sugar in a container with a tight-fitting lid, such as a screw-top jar with a rubber gasket. This is the simplest and most effective way to keep ants out. Keeping the jar in a cool, dry place also helps deter ants.

Keeping ants away from your sugar jar can be simple. (Photo: Getty)

Use salt or baking soda: Sprinkle a small amount of salt or baking soda around the sugar jar. These common kitchen ingredients will irritate the ants and disrupt their ability to navigate back to the jar.

Use citrus peels or coffee grounds: Ants dislike the smell of citrus and coffee. Place some orange, lemon, or lime peels, or used coffee grounds near the sugar jar to deter the ants with their natural fragrance.

Use essential oils: Oils like tea tree, peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus not only smell pleasant but are also ant repellents. Soak a piece of cloth or cotton ball in one of these oils and place it near the sugar jar.

Use double-sided tape: Cut strips of tape and place them around the base of the sugar jar. The ants will get stuck on the tape and won’t be able to enter the jar.

Use vinegar: Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and use this solution to wipe down the area around the sugar jar. Ants dislike the smell of vinegar and will stay away.

Baby powder can create a barrier that ants can’t cross. (Photo: The Spruce)

Use baby powder: Sprinkle some baby powder around the sugar jar to create a natural barrier that ants won’t cross.

Store sugar in the refrigerator: Consider keeping your sugar in the fridge. The cold temperature will help keep the sugar dry and also deter ants. Just make sure the lid is tight to prevent moisture from getting into the sugar.

Keeping ants out of your sugar jar doesn’t have to be a challenge. By following these tips, you can enjoy your sweet treats without unwanted guests.

Source: VTC news

Frequently asked questions

Keep ants at bay by ensuring your sugar jar is sealed tightly and stored in a cool, dry place. Additionally, wipe down counters and floors regularly, and avoid leaving food crumbs or spills that might attract ants. For extra protection, create a barrier using a natural repellent like cinnamon, peppermint oil, or vinegar.

Natural repellents for ants include cinnamon, peppermint oil, vinegar, citrus peels, and coffee grounds. Create a barrier with these substances near entry points or places where ants are frequently seen. You can also mix these ingredients with water and spray them directly onto ants to deter them.

Ants are drawn to sugar because it provides them with a quick source of energy. They are particularly attracted to sweet and sticky substances, which they can carry back to their colony. This is why it’s important to keep your sugar container sealed and to clean up any spills or crumbs promptly.

To ant-proof your kitchen, start by identifying and sealing entry points. Keep food in airtight containers, and wipe down surfaces regularly. Use natural repellents like cinnamon or peppermint oil to create barriers, and avoid leaving food crumbs or spills. For persistent ant problems, consider using boric acid or diatomaceous earth as a last resort, being careful to keep these substances away from children and pets.

Yes, certain plants can help deter ants. Peppermint, tansy, catnip, and marigolds are known to have ant-repelling properties. Try planting these around your home’s foundation or in pots near entry points to help keep ants at bay.