Tired of ants invading your home, kitchen, or garden? You’re not alone. Ants are persistent, organized, and surprisingly hard to eliminate—especially once they’ve found a food source. But there’s one tried-and-true method that homeowners swear by: borax with sugar for ants.
This DIY remedy is not only affordable but also incredibly effective when done right. In this guide, you’ll learn why borax and sugar work together, how to make different types of baits, where to place them, and how to use them safely and effectively.
Why Borax with Sugar Works for Killing Ants
Borax (sodium borate) is a naturally occurring mineral that acts as a slow-acting poison to ants. It disrupts their digestive system, ultimately killing them—but not instantly. This delayed effect is critical. It gives ants time to bring the poisoned bait back to their colony and share it with the queen and other ants, leading to total colony collapse.
Sugar, on the other hand, is the bait. Ants are highly attracted to sugary substances, so they’ll eagerly consume a mixture of sugar and borax without noticing the danger.
The Process:
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Worker ants find the sweet borax bait.
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They eat some and carry more back to the colony.
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The colony feeds on it.
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Over a few days to two weeks, the colony dies off.
This makes borax with sugar for ants one of the most reliable natural solutions out there.
How to Make Borax with Sugar for Ants
There are two primary versions of ant bait you can make: liquid bait and dry bait. Let’s go over both.
1. Liquid Borax and Sugar Ant Bait
This version is best for indoor use and for species of ants that prefer sweet liquids.
Ingredients:
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1/2 cup sugar
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1 1/2 tablespoons borax
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1 1/2 cups warm water
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Cotton balls or pads
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Small containers or jar lids
Instructions:
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Mix sugar and borax into the warm water until fully dissolved.
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Soak the cotton balls in the solution.
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Place cotton balls in shallow containers or on jar lids.
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Set these bait stations near ant trails, along walls, behind appliances, or under sinks.
Pro Tip: Replace the bait every few days to keep it fresh and effective.
2. Dry Borax and Sugar Ant Bait
If you don’t want to deal with liquid mixtures, a dry version is just as effective—especially for outdoor use or in garages.
Ingredients:
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3 parts sugar
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1 part borax
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Lids, foil trays, or wax paper
Instructions:
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Mix sugar and borax in a bowl until well combined.
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Spoon the mixture onto trays or sprinkle directly along ant trails.
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Place near entry points, cracks, or outdoor nests.
Caution: Keep out of reach of pets and children, even though it’s a natural mix.
Where to Place Your Ant Bait
Correct placement is critical for this method to work. Ants follow pheromone trails, so once a few discover the bait, the rest will follow.
Best places to put borax and sugar bait:
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Along baseboards
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Under kitchen and bathroom sinks
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Next to garbage cans
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In cabinets where food is stored
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Behind refrigerators or stoves
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Outdoors near visible ant hills or entry points
Don’t clean the ant trail right away—let them follow it to the bait station.
How Long Does Borax Take to Kill Ants?
You may see an increase in ant activity in the first 24–48 hours. That’s good—it means the bait is working. The real results kick in after:
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3–5 days: noticeable reduction in ant traffic
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7–14 days: significant colony impact, possibly complete elimination
Replenish the bait every few days to maintain its effectiveness until no ants remain.
Safety Tips for Using Borax with Sugar for Ants
While borax is safer than many chemical pesticides, it still needs to be used responsibly.
Keep in mind:
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Do not place bait in areas accessible to pets or small children.
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Use labeled containers if you’re placing baits around the house.
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Wash hands after handling borax or bait mixtures.
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Store any leftover borax in a secure, dry location.
Outdoor Use: Borax and Sugar for Ants in the Yard
Borax and sugar isn’t just for indoor use—it’s also effective outside. To use borax with sugar for ants in your garden or yard, try this method:
Steps:
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Use the dry or liquid version of the bait.
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Place bait stations under flower pots, near ant hills, or at the base of trees.
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Use covered containers with holes to protect the bait from rain or wildlife.
You’ll find this method discussed frequently in gardening forums and DIY Reddit threads, where people have had great success using it around raised beds and compost bins—just be careful not to let it run into areas where bees or beneficial insects might feed.
Why Borax and Sugar Might Not Work (and Fixes)
If ants aren’t taking your bait, try the following:
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Change the sugar source (use honey, corn syrup, or maple syrup).
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Alter the borax-to-sugar ratio (start with 3:1, but you can adjust to 4:1 for picky ants).
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Move bait closer to ant entry points.
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Make sure no other food sources are around—they’ll always go for easier, safer options.
Final Thoughts
If you’re tired of seeing ants invade your home, borax with sugar for ants is one of the most effective and cost-efficient solutions available. It doesn’t just kill the ants you see—it takes out the whole colony.
From how to mix and place the bait to how long it takes to work, this method checks all the boxes for a reliable DIY pest control strategy. With proper setup and patience, you’ll soon see your ant problem disappear—naturally and affordably.
Ready to reclaim your space? Mix up a batch of sugar and borax, set your bait stations, and let the ants do the rest.