On a hot summer day, it may seem like ants are attracted to just about anything. A melted ice cream cone, a spilled soda, or the remains of a discarded cheeseburger all seem to provide the same allure. What attracts ants, then? Here are some of the top ant magnets and how to avoid an ant infestation taking over your home.

What causes ants in the house?

If you see ants in your house, they are probably there looking for food. A minor spill is enough for a tiny ant, and where one ant goes, more are sure to follow. As the weather warms up in the spring, colonies are growing, and their need for food increases, meaning you might start to see more of them in your house.

Food spills and crumbs

From unsealed containers of food to crumbs and sticky spills, all types of food will eventually be an ant magnet. While they are attracted to sugary foods, ants will eat almost anything, including meat, carbohydrates, and even other ants.

A water source

Inside your home, rooms with a water source, like kitchens and bathrooms, are most susceptible to an ant invasion. A minor pipe leak, faucet drip, or even damp bath mat may be enough for a whole colony of ants to survive on.

Easy access

Ants aren’t the type of pest that will make their own way inside. But they will take advantage of readily available access, such as cracks in the foundation, unsealed doors and window frames, and seams in the siding or roof.

Other ants

Ants leave behind a trail of pheromones to guide other ants toward a food source they have already found. That means as soon as you have a few ants in your house, there may be more not far behind them. Eliminating food sources and sealing up entry points can help to lessen the ant population in your home.

What foods are ants attracted to?

Ants eat a wide range of different foods, and their preferences vary by species. For example, ants found in your home will feast on human foods from your fridge or pantry, while those found mainly outside tend to fill up on other insects and honeydew (a sweet liquid produced by aphids).

Most ants are known for their sweet tooth because sugar is a readily available form of energy. Ants like to keep busy, so they need a constant source of energy to keep moving nonstop. Foods in your home that attract ants include:

  • Fruits and vegetables

  • Meat, eggs, cheese

  • Carbohydrates like bread and pizza crust

  • Pet food

  • Melted ice cream and popsicles

Are ants attracted to artificial sweeteners?

Ants are attracted to sugary foods because they provide calories and energy. Artificial sweeteners, however, do not contain these carbohydrates and as a result, do little to attract ants.

Some people believe that artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, are effective ant poisons. This is not the case. Since ants are not attracted to artificial sweeteners, they make poor baits. According to Sociobiology, an academic journal published by California State University, consuming aspartame has no effect on the mortality rate of ants.

Are ants attracted to urine?

While this may seem like an odd question, its origin is strongly rooted in the history of diabetes. Indian physicians first observed that ants were attracted to urine when studying patients who had frequent urination problems. At the same time, around 2500 B.C., Egyptians made note of a condition they called “too great emptying of the urine.” Both of these conditions were later diagnosed as type 1 diabetes.

When a person has type 1 diabetes, glucose – or sugar – is unable to travel to the cells in the body that need it. Instead, this sugar gets trapped in the blood. When blood-sugar levels remain high for too long, many body parts become damaged, including the kidneys. Kidneys regulate glucose in the urine. When they are not working properly, urine may contain large amounts of glucose, which can be attractive to ants.

Do ants like salt?

Ants are often attracted to sugar, but can they be attracted to salt, too? According to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, ants that have low access to salt in their daily diet are actually more attracted to salt than sugar. Salt helps all animals maintain proper bodily functions. The study concludes that ants living more than 60 miles from an ocean or surviving on a diet that does not consist of other insects are more prone to needing salt and, thus, seek it out.

Are ants attracted to water?

Like all animals, ants need water to live, but they are not dependent on larger puddles of water like other insects may be. Many ants get water from the food that they consume. Food and water are also shared with others through a process of regurgitation. While most ants won’t invade homes for water alone, they are more prone to entering homes for water in very dry climates. Carpenter ants are also attracted to damp wood, which is often the result of a water leak.

Why are there ants in my bathroom?

Bathrooms have a reliable source of water, even if it's nothing more than a damp bath mat or standing water in the tub or sink. Moisture collecting in window ledges, drains, and pipes can also attract ants. Carpenter ants specifically like to create their nests in damp, rotting wood, which can be a problem in some bathrooms. Make sure to properly seal bathtubs and sinks and provide adequate ventilation in your bathroom to avoid a damp environment that may attract ants.

Are ants attracted to light?

There is no scientific evidence to suggest that ants are particularly attracted to light. In fact, certain species, like army ants, are nearly blind. But many people have reported swarms of flying ants that appear drawn to light sources. Flying ants, also called alates, appear during mating season. They form swarms with the goal of reproducing and establishing new ant colonies. Light is not required for either of these objectives.

How to stop attracting ants

Ants are very food-driven, so eliminating any food and water sources they may be attracted to can be an effective ant prevention strategy. If you need professional ant control assistance, hiring an expert like Terminix is always an option. We can treat your home and property for any existing ants, identify changes you need to make, and recommend a plan for ongoing maintenance.