Ants fall into the “nuisance” category of pests. Their presence inside is unwanted, not unsafe. Find out what ants eat as they’re rummaging through your kitchen.

What Ants Eat in Your Home

Like humans, ants require a mixture of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in their diets, and there are plenty of ways they can satisfy this need in your kitchen.

1. Carbohydrates

Ants know how to carbo-load, and most of them prefer this diet when food is available. Some of the foods in your cabinet that will attract ants are:

• Crackers
• Chips
• Pretzels
• Cereal
• Oats
• Bread
• Dog food

2. Sweets

It’s not necessarily the sugar they’re looking for, but the carbohydrate that is satisfied by consuming sweets.

• Candy
• Gum
• Lollipops
• Sugar
• Syrup
• Honey
• Soda
• Juice

3. Protein

Yes, some ant varieties crave protein, too. Some foods that satisfy this need are:

• Lunch meat
• Cooked meat
• Cheese
• Other insects (that might be lurking in your kitchen!)

4. Fats and oils

To reach their recommended intake of fat, ants will search your home for:

• Nuts
• Seeds

Keep Ants out of Your Home with ExtermPRO.

How are ants getting into your home? That’s one of the biggest questions that needs to be answered when stopping an infestation. We start by looking for the nest, treating areas outside of the home, and then work our way inside if need be. If ants are still helping themselves to crumbs in your kitchen after our service, we will come back out to your home at no extra charge. Call ExtermPRO, your local ant control pros, at 571-620-1168 for a free quote.