Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Preventing Ants
• Method 2 of 2: "Moat" with water
• Tips
• Warnings

Ants can be a real problem when it comes to feeding your cat. Ants will steal cat food and prevent it from eating. After all, would you eat food if there are a lot of ants swarming around it? This article will show you how to ward off ants from your cat food.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Preventing Ants

1. 1 Store cat food in an airtight plastic container. Once you open the bag of cat food, pour it into a plastic container. You can choose a special container designed for pet food.
2. 2 Wash your food bowls. Any food leftovers will attract ants. Therefore, wash your bowls at least once every two days (or more often if you can). This is extremely important if you have ants.
   • Use a safe detergent and rinse the bowl thoroughly with clean water.
3. 3 Keep the feeding area clean. Ants won't bother you if your cat's feeding area is clean at all times. Collect any leftover food after your cat has finished eating. Wash the floor with a mixture of water and vinegar or lemon to help prevent ants from invading.
   • You can remove the bowl from the floor when the cat is not eating, or at least remove the bowl overnight.
4. 4 Transfer the feeding area. You can also try moving the bowl to a different location to prevent the ants from finding it. If ants appear in a specific area, move the bowl away from it.
5. 5 Create a barrier around the bowl that the ants can't get through. There are some substances that repel ants.
   • Use chalk to draw a line around the bowl.
   • Put a newspaper under a bowl, and pour ground cinnamon, ground coffee, ground red pepper, ash on it.
   • Apply petroleum jelly to the edge of the bowl.
   • Sprinkle a mixture of water and vinegar or lemon around the bowl. Mix 1 part vinegar or lemon juice with 1 part water. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle and spray around the bowl.
6. 6 Apply petroleum jelly to the outside of the bowl. This is a clever way to prevent ants from getting into the food bowl, as they won't be able to crawl on slippery surfaces.
   • You can also use petroleum jelly on the outside of a bowl of water in which you place a bowl of food.
7. 7 Use essential oils. Many essential oils repel ants. Place a few drops of essential oil on a damp cloth and wipe the bowl of food with it. Ants will be scared away by a strong smell.
   • You can also use lemon, orange, and grapefruit oil to scare off ants. Wipe the floor around the bowl with a cotton swab dipped in oil.
   • Essential oils are safe and do not contain chemicals.
8. 8 Use a trap to lure the ants. To keep the ants away from the bowl, use a trap (commercially available) near the feeding area. Make sure the trap has a small opening for the ants and that your cat cannot reach the bait (poison) inside the trap.
   • You can screw the trap directly to the floor. Alternatively, place it behind a refrigerator or gas stove, unless the distance between the refrigerator / stove is so small that a cat cannot squeeze in. Remember that cats are curious and can go to unimaginable places.

Method 2 of 2: "Moat" with water

1. 1 Get rid of the ants you find in your food bowl. Place ants and leftover food in a bag, close it, and take it outside. This will prevent the ants from returning immediately.
2. 2 Wash the bowl. Ants leave a pheromone trail that helps other ants find their food bowl, so wash the bowl with hot water and detergent (or use the dishwasher).
3. 3 Wash the feeding area to get rid of pheromone traces and make sure other ants don't get to the bowl. To do this, use a mixture of water and vinegar or lemon juice.
   • You can clean not only the feeding area, but the entire floor of the room (where the bowl is). To do this, use a floor or crockery detergent.
4. 4 Find suitable dishes for the "ditch". Look for shallow dishes that are wider than the food bowl. You can use a tray, pallet, or similar, appropriate utensils.
   • Make sure the crockery you choose is not too large - the distance between the edge of the crockery and the bowl should be about 3 cm. This distance will prevent ants from getting into the bowl.
   • Some firms produce bowls with "moats" (with water grooves along the edge). They are easy to use and easy to clean. However, if you do not want to spend money or want to make sure that this method works, read on.
5. 5 Fill the dishes with water. You do not need to fill the dishes to the top to avoid getting them into the food bowl. You need to create an obstacle for the ants, as they are poor swimmers and will not be able to cross the "moat".
   • Add a little vegetable oil, essential oil (lemon), or dishwashing detergent to the water for extra effect. Only add dishwashing liquid to the water if the cat cannot drink it (that is, the distance between the dish with water and the bowl is too small).
6. 6 Place the food bowl in a bowl of water. Make sure the distance between the edge of the crockery and the bowl is at least 3 cm. Put fresh food in the bowl.
   • If the dishes are too large, place the bowl close enough to the edge of the bowl of water for the cat to eat without difficulty, but far enough from the edge so that the ants cannot jump over the moat.
   • If the bowl is shallow and scoops up water, place it on something to raise it above the surface of the water.
7. 7 Pour the old water out of the dishes and add new water as needed. Drowned ants and food may be in the water. Moreover, the water will evaporate.
8. 8 Maintain the described process. Eventually, the ants will stop bothering you. In some places, such as warmer climates, you may have to use this method all the time, as the ants will never disappear.

Tips

• Keeping your cat's feeding area clean will help you avoid ant problems.

Warnings

• Do not use insecticides or any other poison. It can harm your cat.