Set out borax liquid bait for sugar ants

Steps

1. Mix 1/2 teaspoon boric acid with 8 teaspoons sugar and 1 cup warm water until dissolved.
2. Soak cotton balls in the mixture and place them in shallow containers near ant trails and entry points.
3. Replace cotton balls every 2-3 days to keep bait fresh.

Why It Works

Borax disrupts the ant's digestive system slowly enough that workers carry the bait back to the colony and share it mouth-to-mouth with other workers, larvae, and the queen. This eliminates the entire colony rather than just visible foragers. Keep boric acid concentration below 5% — higher concentrations kill workers too quickly, before they return to the nest.

Tips

• Expect increased ant activity at bait stations initially — this means it's working
• If no improvement after 2-3 weeks, switch to a protein-based bait (peanut butter + boric acid) for species that prefer protein
• Never spray insecticide near bait placements — it repels ants from the bait
• Place baits where children and pets cannot reach them