What Should I Feed My Carpenter Ants?
WouterHaving carpenter ants in your home can cause a lot of damage. If left unchecked, the ants can create thousands of dollars worth of structural damage. However, you can minimize the damage they do by knowing what to feed them.
Carpenter ants have a variety of food preferences. They will seek out sources of moisture, protein, and sweets. They also need to maintain a constant source of food. The ant’s health and the number of workers in the colony will depend on the availability of food.
They will forage for food from aphids and other insects. They will also eat dead insects. Some species will prefer to eat live insects over dead ones.
The best form of food to feed ants is liquid sugar. This can be prepared by mixing sugar and water in equal amounts. It can be fed to ants in test tubes, capsules, or in a hunting arena.
If you are concerned about carpenter ants, you can use a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water to kill them. Paraffin oil is another popular deterrent.
You can also use liquid insecticide to kill them. However, this can be a hazardous material, so it is best to avoid handling it. If you do use it, make sure you wash your hands afterward.
Keeping the home clean and dry will help prevent carpenter ants from settling. You can also use essential oils to wipe down surfaces. However, you should avoid using nicotine on your hands.
