Sugar ants (commonly called the derogatory "piss ants") are difficult to control. What they lack in size they more than make up for in population and persistence. In turn, it requires tenacity and patience to banish them from your home.

Keep your house immaculately clean. Pay particular attention to the kitchen and dining areas. Empty garbage daily and store in tightly sealed trash cans away from the house. Do not leave food of any kind open or out, including items destined for the compost heap. Store sweeteners in sealed, airtight containers, preferably in the refrigerator. Wipe the outside of jars and keep them clean and dry. Thoroughly rinse out bottles and cans before recycling them. Scrub countertops frequently, taking care to clean under (not just around) small appliances. Do not let crumbs accumulate on the countertop, floor, or in or on furniture. Sweep regularly and often. Remember, a particle of food is a feast for an ant; a small amount more can sustain a colony for many days or even weeks.

Keep your kitchen and bathroom dry. Wipe out the sink, tub, and shower after each use. In many cases, ants are in need of water as much as food.

If you have companion animals, place their food in a "moat." Take a bowl slightly larger than their normal dish and fill it with water. Then place the food dish in the water-filled one. Although ants need water to live, they don't like to swim.

Seal up all observable cracks and potential points of entry around the infested area. Use a caulking gun designed for indoor purposes. This is not only helpful in controlling ants, it will help to keep out other unwanted insects as well. In addition, sprinkle paprika, peppermint, chile, or talcum powder where the ants enter your home and, in the garden, scatter powdered charcoal around your plants.