Piss ants are small, brownish-black ants that are often found near sources of water. They get their name from their habit of crawling into people’s homes and crawling around in the bathroom near the toilet. While they are not known to bite or sting, they can be a nuisance. If you have piss ants in your home, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them.
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What Is A Piss Ant?
The piss ant is also known as a sugar ant because it prefers sweet components. It comes in a variety of hues, some of which are yellow and others which are black. There is a variation in the posterior half of the piss ant that distinguishes it from other species.
The piss ant’s rear is darker than that of other ants, and it has certain obvious and easy-to-detect markings.
There will be many more pissing ants when you see one since they never work alone. The piss ant normally builds a colony or a nest in which to live as a society.
This is the moniker given to piss ants since both they and their nest emit this odor. The presence of formic acid in these ants accounts for their unique odor.
When compared to other ant species, this one is one of the smallest.
This insect ranges in size from 1/6 to 1/8 inch, and they use their lengthy antennae to identify danger by smelling distinct aromas. The piss ant uses three pairs of legs to travel around in search of food.
During the spring, piss ants may develop vast colonies, and the queen can survive for up to a year.
What Do Piss Ants Look Like?
Piss ants are around 1/16 to 1/8 inches long and come in a variety of hues ranging from pale yellow to reddish-brown and even black.
Piss ants have three pairs of legs and long antennae for detecting scents. They detect danger and seek food using their antennas.
Female ants have orange bodies, while males have black wings. Piss ants are distinguished by three segments, a darker end, and patterns or bands on the abdomen.
They may readily move through minor cracks due to their small size. They are generally found in warmer and moister settings, such as near grocery shops, hotels, residences, hospitals, and in the open air.
Life Cycle of Piss Ants
The life cycle of piss ants is relatively short. The queen piss ant lays eggs that develop into larvae, pupae, and then adults in about 45 days.
Once the adults emerge, they will start the process all over again. This means that a colony can grow very quickly if left unchecked.
How to Get Rid of Piss Ants: Various Methods
If a piss ant infestation goes undiscovered in its early stages, you can use different strategies to control these pests. These are the most well-liked.
Chemical Methods
These are popular chemical methods to get rid of piss ants –
Ant Killer Spray
There are a variety of ant killer sprays on the market that can be used to control ants, sugar ants, and other insects. It is important to read the label and follow the instructions carefully in order to achieve the desired results.
Ant Baits
One of the best ways to control piss ants is to use ant bait. To attractants, you can use greasy protein-based baits, fat-based baits, or sugar baits.
The pesticide in the bait will kill the colony if the ants, including the queen, swallow the bait and absorb it.
The majority of the sweet baits include Borax. These baits are commonly available in retailers.
Boric Acid (Borax)
The use of boric acid to piss ant fissures, cracks, and access sites will aid in the management of their infestation. The powder adheres to the antennae and legs of ants, causing gastrointestinal poisoning and death.
Biological Methods
These are popular biological methods to get rid of piss ants –
Insect Repellent Plants
Herbs may be planted to prevent piss ants away from your home. Plant sage, peppermint, or tansy in your kitchen.
You may also use cinnamon strips, turmeric, or bitter pepper to keep piss ants away from your home. The phytochemicals secreted by these plants function as insect repellents, keeping them at bay.
Make dilutions of orange, cinnamon, or peppermint essential oils. To make an insecticide spray, mix 20 drops of essential oil with 8 ounces of water.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is an organic, non-toxic, efficient, and environmentally beneficial technique to eradicate piss ants. Spread the powder uniformly at ant entry sites or on ant colonies.
Natural Remedies for Getting Rid of Piss Ants
Home cures or natural approaches can also be used to control piss ants. Here, we will discuss several effective home cures for piss ant control.
White Vinegar or Lemon Juice Spray
One way to discourage ants from coming into your home is to mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and then spray it around the entrances they are using. This will help to repel them.
This will not kill the ants, but it will discourage them from coming into your home. You can also pour a little sugar on the ant trail to lead them away from your house.
Boric Acid and Sugar
There are various ways to eliminate ants, but boric acid and sugar are one of the most popular and effective methods. This mixture can be used to kill both sugar ants and piss ants.
When mixed together, they form a sticky solution that the ants will consume. This will kill the ants and hopefully stop the infestation.
Soap Spray
One way to get rid of piss ants is by using a soap spray. To make the soap mixture, add one tablespoon of dishwashing soap to 1 cup of vegetable oil and mix it. You can then use a spray bottle to apply it directly to the ants or their nests.
Cornstarch
Dust corn starch around piss ant crevices and nests. If they consume it, the powder will kill them.
Use of Aromatic Plants
Cucumber, garlic, cloves, and bay leaves have a strong odor that piss ants dislike. The perfume of these plants will deter piss ants from establishing colonies in your yard.
Honey and Boric Acid Mixture
Make a DIY ant bait by combining equal parts honey and boric acid and applying the mixture around piss ant access holes.
Ground Coffee
The fragrance of ground coffee is repulsive to piss ants. To deter them, sprinkle coffee near shelters and outside.
Can Piss Ants Damage My House?
If you see ants urinating in your house, it is likely that you have an infestation and a colony that you are unaware of.
Because there are so many different types of ants, some will only enter your house to find food. The piss ant is highly destructive and can do significant damage to your house.
Because even the most benign ants will look for food, any species of ant can become a serious pest in your house.
One of the kinds that may do the greatest harm to your property is the piss ant. This species may be able to do the following:
- contaminate your food
- Construct nests in the walls.
- Create open holes in cabinets
- Living in the folds of your clothes or behind the refrigerator
Piss ants and carpenter ants, both of which can cause structural damage to your home, can be a major issue in your home.
If you see pissing ants on your food, throw them away since they can spread diseases from garbage cans or regions where cleanliness standards are not met. Because this ant grows swiftly, it may infest furniture and other wood-based goods.
How to Prevent Piss Ants From Invading Your House?
The first and foremost way to get rid of piss ants is to prevent them from invading your home. Once they establish their colonies it becomes tedious to get rid of them. Hence prevention is better than cure.
Springtime is the most loved one by these ants, hence we are supposed to be on the lookout during this season for these ants. A few preventive measures that can be taken are as follows:
- Piss ants love wet and moist places. They are found to be invading the bathroom and kitchen pipes and sinks. Hence always keep the place dry. Tightly seal the pipes.
- Dispose of the garbage daily and do not trash it anywhere near your house. Ants are always on the lookout for food and sugary items.
- Keep your kitchen clean. Since these ants love sugary foods, it’s easy for them to make a way when any leftover is kept on the kitchen counters.
- Immediately seal off the cracks or openings that you find in the house which makes an entrance for these ants.
Are Piss Ant Bites Dangerous?
Piss ant bites are not dangerous to people and do not sting. Soldier ants, on the other hand, can deliver a nasty bite with their powerful jaws.
Ants release formic acid on the skin during this bite. The acid irritates the skin and, in rare circumstances, induces an allergic reaction.
Piss Ant Bites Treatment
Use a cold compress on the affected area for around 20 minutes to treat piss ant bites. It will help to minimize edema. If you experience a slight allergic reaction, use an antihistamine.
Summary
Piss ants, also known as sugar ants, are attracted to sugary foods, leftovers, and moist places. They can be difficult to eliminate because they build their nests underground. However, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them.
These ants can do a lot of damage to your home because they contaminate food and spread germs. In addition, their colonies can number up to 1000 members, so it is important to take action if you notice an infestation.
