What Do Ants Like To Eat?

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Knowing Which Foods Attract Which Ants

There are more than 12,000 different species of ants in the world and around 1,000 of them live in the United States. Different kinds of ants are attracted to different types of foods, however most ants are quite opportunistic and will eat just about anything, though they do have preferences. 

Knowing what kinds of foods attract which types of ants is paramount for complete pest control. If you are aware of which foods attract which types of ants, you are better prepared to take the necessary steps toward protecting your home.

Foods That Attract Ants

The number one type of food that ants are attracted to is sugar. Any food that is high in sugar will be attractive to ants: syrup, juice, soda, candy, jelly and any other sweet food will always be alluring to ants. 

Many kinds of ants feed mostly on protein. These ants are attracted to greasy foods or foods that are high in fat content. Ants that are attracted to greasy foods will be attracted to not just the food itself, but any remnants that may have been left behind in items such as wrappers or other containers which once held protein-rich food.

Some Ants Develop Their Own Food

Other ants are attracted to fungus, flesh from dead animals and practically anything else that is made of organic material. Some ants species are actually predatory and will kill other insects on purpose for their food source. Others are more like scavengers and seek out dead insects to feed off of. 

Some species of ant have been known to cultivate or farm for their food. Leaf cutter ants cultivate a fungus by creating a kind of “farm” from semi-digested plant material they have collected. Others help cultivate other insect populations like aphids so that they can “milk” them for their honeydew, their preferred food source. This is referred to as “dairying.”

Find A Pest Specialist For Ant Control

If you are concerned about ants and ant control for your home, please give us a call or fill out the form on this page. PestControlExperts.com is a team of experts who are highly qualified to provide the best recommendations for you and your home, no matter which part of the United States you live in.