Filenews 30 March 2025
The temperature gradually rises and ants slowly begin to appear inside and outside the homes, with one of their favourite spots being our pets' bowls.
It is a fact that ants love pet food. After all, what could be better than a good, high-protein, high-carb meal served on an easily accessible plate? Whether it's dry or wet food, or crumbs from food we've put on them, pet food is a jackpot for these tiny invaders.
So before you start spraying right and left with various toxic products that are dangerous for everyone, try the following:
Store your pets' food properly
It is well known, but unfortunately we do not always do it. The simple folding of the bag that we have in the kibbles is not a good barrier for ants. They will find a way to get in. Use airtight storage containers for your pets' food to keep their food safe and fresh. You will do the same with their various delicacies. If your pet eats canned food, you should store the opened containers in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Use a container to keep the canned food fresh and well-sealed.
Clean his food plates very well
And this is something that we neglect. However, you must take care of and clean your pet's food and water bowls daily. Think about this: When you eat on a plate, then you don't wash it? Why should your pet's plate or dishes sit for a few days without a good wash? Use warm water and soap to clean them and let them dry before putting food on them. Dirty dishes that have food residues attract ants like a magnet.
Also keep the area your dog or cat eats clean and tidy. Wipe the crumbs, wipe your pet's lips, and clean the area regularly so that there are not so many temptations for invading ants.
Discard food scraps
Usually if our animal does not eat all its food, we leave it there to eat it when it wants. But don't leave it for long periods of time. You need to do this before the ants appear. Because if they detect it once, it is difficult to change afterwards. Ants are very persistent, so they do not give up their habits easily.
Use a raised food bowl
The use of such a product can help you to prevent water and food from falling here and there. With an elevated feeder your pet's food will be higher than the ground. This is an additional difficulty for ants. Ants are great climbers, but giving them fewer access points makes their mission more difficult. There are many ideas on the market where they will help you choose the right one for your own pet. Many of these bowls are of very good quality, which is important for your pet's health. They are also more comfortable for older dogs with arthritis and mobility problems.
Put a dam with water
Place your pet's food plate inside a large, shallow tray filled with a small amount of water. The ants cannot swim and will stop before they reach the bowl.
What to look out for: Water should be changed daily to prevent bacteria from accumulating.
Prevent ants from your entire home
Managing to drive the ants away only from the area where our animal's bowls are is meaningless as we know that they will find a new route.
One way is to try a homemade peppermint oil spray. Ants do not like its smell. Peppermint oil can even act as an insecticide. Peppermint is a natural insect repellent, very effective in repelling ants and other insects, such as mosquitoes. Mix 10 to 20 drops of peppermint essential oil in 2 cups of water. Spray the mixture around windows and some other parts of your home.
Also try spraying some lemon juice or vinegar mixed with water around your pet's food area, or use the mixture to clean your floors and kitchen. This can help get rid of the alluring smells that ants make coming.
But there are other essential oils that can help you, such as cloves, orange, lemon, which you will mix with water.
Do not use pepper or cinnamon near your pet's bowls, as many suggest. Both can potentially irritate it. Although they are not toxic, pepper can get into his nose while cinnamon if licking it can irritate his mouth.
Ants may be tiny, but they certainly know how to cause a big headache. But it is part of nature and will always be around us. Of course, this does not mean that they should be in or around our home. By avoiding dangerous toxic products, it is very possible with the above ways to prevent them from occupying the bowls of your pet and your entire home.
