Ants aren't just fans of human food. As strange as it seems, they also like pet food. If you're a cat owner and let your cat wander outside regularly, you may keep his or her food bowls outside for easier access. Yet he or she may not be the only one accessing the food. Consider these insect control tips to keep ants out of your cat's food.
Ants don't look like or act like cats, so why are they so fond of their food? Well, most ants vary their diet depending on the season. Sugar ants are known for their attraction to any protein-rich foods in the springtime, Washington State University noted. So, since most cat food contains protein and the bowls are close to the ground, this is a great opportunity for a meal. In the summer, sugar ants earn their name by looking for anything sweet and sugary, whether it's juice, fruit or even an alcoholic beverage. Ants may also go after other substances aside from food, including toothpaste, bath soap, lip balm, lotion and tea. They're also attracted by the presence of water, so if you have a water bowl next to a food bowl, ants are in paradise. Once ants have infested outdoor food bowls, they may be so bold to travel indoors and see what you've got. They live in massive colonies underground, meaning this small problem could become a big one quickly.
Here are a few pest management prevention methods to possibly ward off ants in your yard.