Ants often make their way indoors looking for something to eat. Their food preferences can shift throughout the year, depending on the needs of the colony. Ants primarily focus on consuming carbohydrates, protein, and fats, eating different things to get these nutrients. Knowing what these pests like to snack on will make it easier to keep them out of your home. We’ve made a list of things that ants like to eat.
1. Leaves & Seeds
Ants will feed on the leaves and seeds of different plants. The seeds and leaves contain carbohydrates, fat, and protein that the ants need to take care of the colony. Ants will eat a variety of plants or seeds, with some ant species having different preferences. Smaller seeds are easier for ants to carry back to the nest. Ants are a fan of sugar and will feed on plant nectar as well.
2. Honeydew
If you find ants in your garden, there’s a chance they found honeydew. Some garden pests, like mealybugs and aphids, produce honeydew. This is a sweet substance that these pests secrete. The honeydew is a source of carbohydrates, which provides the ants with the energy needed to forage, reproduce, and keep the colony going. Ants will try to protect honeydew-producing pests in exchange for the sweet treat.
3. Fruits & Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables have sugars and other nutrients that ants need to survive. These bugs will eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, including berries, citrus, cucumbers, and lettuce. Overripe or decaying produce can be attractive to ants too. Ants also need moisture, and fruits and vegetables can be a source of water for them.
4. Insects
Ants are opportunistic feeders and will eat whatever they can find. Other insects can be a good food source for them. Ants are known to eat flies, spiders, beetles, cockroaches, and even other ants. Insects provide ants with a source of protein and fats. Protein is needed to grow the colony, and foraging ants will take it back to the nest to feed to the larvae and queen.
5. Crumbs & Spills
Sources of protein, fat, and sugar can be found in your favorite dishes. Crumbs or food residue can lead ants to your home. Ants will feed on different meats in order to get protein. Sticky residues from honey and syrup provide them with carbohydrates. Greasy foods or residue are a great source of fat for these pests. Your pet’s food can also be a tasty treat for ants. It’s important to clean up crumbs and spills and to store food in containers to prevent ants from showing up.
6. Ant Baits
If you’re dealing with an ant infestation, baits are a great solution. Ant baits often contain sugars or proteins that are attractive to ants. Ants feed on the bait and take it back to the nest to share with the colony, effectively targeting the source of the infestation. Our No Spill Ant Kill and our Ant Killer Bait are sugar-based baits. Our Roach Killer Gel Bait is a protein-based bait that is labeled for cockroaches and ants.
Why Do Ant Food Preferences Change?
Though ants are opportunistic, there are times when they are looking for specific nutrients. They often shift between proteins and carbohydrates. In early spring, many ants are looking for protein. During this time of the year, ants are focused on growing the colony and are in brood production mode. Later in spring and in summer, ants typically want sugar-based foods. The sugar gives them the energy they need to forage for food and take care of the nest. Food preferences may also vary between species.
Because ants aren’t picky eaters, there are plenty of things that could attract them to your home. To keep these pests away, you’ll want to remove potential food sources. If you’re dealing with ants or other pests, we want to help! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products for a more environmentally and family-friendly solution when used as directed.