How To Keep Ants Out Of Dog Food

If your pet is an anteater, you don’t have to worry about keeping your pet food safe. But if not, then it is better that you follow some important tips that can help to keep your pet food safe for quite some time. The problem of ants being on food is not uncommon. Sometimes once the effect of the pest control goes, then noticeable ants can be seen.

In case you have noticed some ant problem around the business or home then, of course, you can call professional help. But if you are wondering more about How To Keep Ants Out Of Dog Food, then it is better to follow the tips shared below.

Easy tips to keeps ants out of Dog food

The problem of pesky ants at home is one hectic problem. It can be quite worst if it gets stuck up in some food-related area in the house. But when these ants start invading the food dish of the pet, then it becomes more trouble.

Your pet would not understand what the problem is and may even lick it with the ants, but that is one risky thing. That is why before getting the strong pest control done, it is better to find the ants from the root and get rid of the problem.

• The food dish should be kept clean always

This is one of the easy things that can be done to prevent the ant’s influx around the food of the dog or even cat. If the area is sparkling clean, then, of course, there will not be any problem with ants appearing now and then. The bowl can be cleaned up well with the utensil cleaner or vacuuming the whole area and thus make it one ant-proof dog bowl.

This way, even if there are any crumbs on the floor, they will get vanished. Besides, the little varmints will not attack any longer. It is always better to take prevention in advance so that the problem doesn’t increase later.

• The food should be kept in the container

Make it a habit to keep the food inside the container. It is better to invest in such products so that your pet’s food doesn’t get shared by those ants when you are not around. This means you don’t have to keep the bag half open and keep the invitation for the ants ready.

Some extra-large containers online are made specifically for holding the pet food and thus make it easy to fill out the bowl without spilling the food bunch on the floor.

• Make a Barrier with Water

Water and ants never go along. Ants cannot swim, and hence they prefer staying out of water. It is always better to keep the pet food by creating a moat all around the bowl. For this, a huge aluminum disposable pan can be helpful.

Just put the bowl of the dog and make it ant proof dog bowl with the water pan that is filled at least with an inch or two of water, and then ants will not keep appearing on the food.

• It is time to create a territory

Sidewalk Chalk on Pavement is the best option for creating the right territory. So many people even had luck keeping their pet’s food safe from ants with simply chalk. There is no exact reason, but certainly, ants will not cross the line. This would help you to keep the distance of your pet food from them.

• Sticky Tape

There are some of the various tapes that can be used. All your focus should be to ensure that the tape which has stickiness on the top is used. It can work to keep the ants far from the dog’s food bowl. Duct tape can be quite a good option too. It is sturdy; also, if there is any double-sided tape that can be applied. It is easy to apply and simple to put the strips of tape around the bowl.

• Be careful with the leftovers

Sometimes dogs could be picky, and if they don’t like the food, they may not even finish it or sometimes just leave it. It is then that the ants get this treat and which, of course, you would not want. That is why it is better to never leave the food leftover for more than an hour; otherwise, use the dog bowls that keep ants out.

The dog would get ample time to eat, but when there is leftover, it is better to get the cleaning down on a regular basis without skipping a day. Ants are quick movers, and hence it is better to maintain cleanliness.

Food items that can work too

Along with the tips mentioned above, some food ingredients and dog bowls keep ants out, which work the best. Talking of which, some of them are:

• Make use of the corn-starch:

If there are quite limited options with you to get rid of ants well, you can try out the corn starch. It is an edible powder that is usually helpful in cleaning human dishes. If it is used for cleaning the pet’s bowl, there is no harm in it. Corn-starch powder usually helps in separating the ants from the pet’s food. It works best on the dry kibble too.

You simply must sprinkle it over the food and see the difference. Make sure you keep using it regularly so that ants would stop appearing once and for all. However, keep in mind that this is not a clean-up technique but a preventive measure. If budget is the constraint, then this is the best option to choose.

• Baking Soda

Baking soda is another essential option to choose. It is a non-toxic option that keeps the ant at bay, and thus you don’t have to worry at all. The process is quite simple. Just blend the baking soda using confectionary sugar and then sprinkle it on the areas in and around the kitchen. This is one better way to get rid of ants. Sugar should be used because ants get attracted to sugar, and since the content will be mixed with baking soda, it would kill them.

• Cinnamon

This is another efficient option that can be used for exterminating ants. It is popular since it confuses the ants, and they usually lose their way. If it is used with a premium option like Vaseline, it would have a better effect. There is no complex process involved. You simply must apply it to the corners of the home or the open space where ants may travel.

• Borax

Not many people are familiar with this product, but it is more commonly used to enhance laundry detergent. This product is usually found in the laundry section and is quite an effective option for getting rid of ants. You simply must make a mixture that includes 1 1/2 cups of warm water, 1/2 cup of sugar, and 1 1/2 Tbsp of Borax.

The soaking should be done well with the cotton bowls in the mixture, then apply it in the area where the ant’s infestation is quite common. However, when these cotton balls are kept, make sure your pet is away from them and doesn’t consume them. The ants will get attracted to this mixture because of the sugar smell, and borax would eliminate these bugs.

• Lemon Juice/Vinegar

This is another easy way that can be used to keep ants away from the food of the pet. Simply add the vinegar or lemon juice to the water, and while cleaning the kitchen floor, apply it, especially on areas where ants get attracted. Such a type of liquid would then efficiently remove the aroma, which can attract the ants, and thus there will be a reduction of these bugs.

• Pepper

This is another efficient substance that can be used. Peppermint is something that ants will never be able to tolerate or even cross. There is cayenne pepper or the regular black pepper that can keep ants away when sprinkling is done near the bowl of the pet. There will be a noticeable reduction in the appearance of the ants.

• Orange Peels

The skin of orange fruit is known to have some essential piling that can deter different animals. It is better to take the one orange peel and then keep it well in the blender using one cup filled with water. It is important to pulverize it till it turns out to be a complete mixture so that it becomes convenient to put it on the anthills that are noticeable.

Have you heard of Diatomaceous Earth?

This is one of the most efficient products that are available. Its name may seem complex, but it is quite an effective option than all other things.

This is a natural product that is found in the food grade. It comes in an incredible form that is not meant for the consumption of humans.

This food grade is safe for pets and humans since it is non-toxic. But it is efficient enough to eliminate fleas, ants, and even bedbugs.

There is no complex process involved. You simply must sprinkle this powder on the areas where you have seen ants frequently appearing and even at the home corners and then see the results. In few hours, you will see the ants dead.

Make some efficient spray that can work too

• Boiling Water and Dish Soap

Simply mix up Boiling Water and Dish Soap in the spray bottle. Make sure you add this content in the bottle with boiling water. Spray it as and when required, and your stress on how to get ants out of dog food will end.

• Peppermint Spray

This is another fresh-smelling deterrent that can be used for dealing with ants. It is made of three ingredients that include witch hazel, peppermint oil, and a spray bottle.

Fill up the spray bottle with water and then add peppermint oiling at least 12 drops.

Make sure you also add 2 tablespoons of witch hazel in it and then shake the whole ingredients well, so the mixing is done properly.

• Orange and Lemon Oil in Vials

For this, you have to mix and blend well the following ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons of vodka
• 15 drops of orange oil
• 2 ounces of water
• 15 drops of lemon oil
• 15 drops of clove oil

These three essential oils can keep ants away from pet food. Other than this, there are also so many anti-bug products available in the market that you can buy. You simply have to explore what works best for you and your pet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can ants contaminate the food of the dog?

Certainly, there is a scope that ants can find their way in the dog’s food bowl and be a part of their meal plan. Some dogs will not even eat if they saw ants crawling on their dry kibble. Ants often create a nuisance, but they can even add protein and vitamin C to your dog’s meal plan’s diet.

Why does dog food attract ants?

The primary reason for this would be the dish of the dog not getting cleaned because of which ants can have a smell of the food. Ants can smell from meters away, and when your pup is being fed, ants may not be far.

How to get rid of ants without harming dogs?

You can buy diatomaceous earth alone or get it with an ant-free pet bowl. If there is some minor infestation, the absorbent sponge should be soaked in sugar water and placed near the ant’s trail, and let it sit for a day.  You will find the ants dead, and your dog will also not get affected in the process.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the tricks and tips that work. Ants can be quite a serious trouble, and to make sure they don’t become a chronic problem, it is better to keep your dog food protected from them. Follow the above ideas and see the difference for quite a long time. You can even search for the Ant-free pet bowl that is available in the market at a great price.

Reference links:

• https://www.westernexterminator.com/ants/how-to-prevent-your-pets-food-from-attracting-ants/#:~:text=How%20to%20keep%20pet%20food,knot%20at%20the%20bag’s%20opening
• https://www.mom4real.com/how-to-get-ants-out-of-pet-food-and-keep-them-out/
• https://wigglywisdom.com/how-to-keep-ants-away-from-cat-and-dog-food/
• https://amyeverafter.com/keep-ants-out-of-dog-cat-food/