Hamsters are cute animals but don’t be fooled because there are situations when owners can get caught off guard. For example, these animals can have so much energy, even with their tiny bodies. And they are prone to colds just like humans.
However, one situation that people think rarely happens but is more common than you think is having ants in their cages.
The typical reason ants are inside your hamster cage is maybe due to the food, although there may be other possibilities.
So in this article, you will learn how to keep ants away from your hamster cage.
Hamsters are cute animals you can take home as pets. But they can be very vulnerable, especially when ants enter their cage. To prevent that, you can:
- Clean their cage.
- Place the enclosure in a proper location.
- Use a moat food bowl.
If you don’t want ants to enter your hamster’s cage, below are some tips you can use.
5 Tips You Can Use To Repel Ants From Your Hamster Cage
One of the most frustrating things about ants is they always find a way to places they are not supposed to be – like your hamster’s cage.
There are a few reasons why they like your hamster’s cage. First is the food. If there is food spillage, that would be enough to bring the ants. Second, ants like the sun’s warmth.
So your cage may be in a sunny location. And finally, cracks and crevices in your hamster cage are letting the ants enter.
Fortunately, you can do a few things to repel ants from your hamster cage.
1. Good Housekeeping
Hamsters are messy animals. So don’t be surprised if the cage is not always in good condition. And it becomes even messier if you have one more hamster. Your little pal’s lifestyle could be the thing that attracts ants.
So, you’ll have to clean the cage when things get out of control.
A good habit is to clean the entirety of the enclosure every once a month, meaning you’ll need to remove the toy, bedding, food stores, and dishes and sanitize it with special cleaning spray or warm, soapy water. But if you have more than one hamster, you’ll need to clean the cage every once a week.
Finally, you’ll need to clean the water bottles and food dishes daily to prevent ants from gathering. The longer food stays in the cage, the higher the chance of the ant colony noticing it.
2. Place the Cage in a Proper Location
The same as where you put up your house, location is everything for your hamster cage. It should be in a temperate and clean area. Away from the windows, door, or near the trash can.
But there can also be situations where you place the cage from such places and still have ants. If that is true, you may have some openings letting the pests enter.
Pest loves warm and humid places. So adjust the temperature of your room if it reaches over 24°C(75°F). The perfect temperature for hamsters is between 18°C – 24°F(65°F – 75°F).
3. Determine the Point Entry
If there are ants in the cage, the first thing you’ll need to do to eliminate and prevent future invasion is to locate the point of entry.
They could come from the door, window, cracks, floorboards, etc. The ants could also come from your kitchen or bathroom. So check those places, too.
Once you have located the point of entry, it is up to you how you will eliminate the ants. A typical method is to use baited traps.
These products contain granular or liquid poison that attracts ants. They will then take the bait back to their colony, where it will poison the entire colony. You can also use natural repellents like:
- Peppermint oil
- Vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Cinnamon
- Cayenne or Black pepper
- Diatomaceous earth
This list is just some of the remedies you can use against ants. There are plenty more, but it is a good place to start. Of course, using natural methods is always better because you may accidentally harm other animals using chemical poison.
4. Serve Clean Food
It sounds unlikely, but the reason why there are ants inside your hamster cage could be because of the food you serve.
It could contain insect eggs. And they’ll easily hatch if they are in a warm and moist environment. To prevent this, you’ll need to place your hamster feed in air-tight bags and place them in the freezer.
Then, serve only a small amount of food and throw away uneaten food.
5. Use a Moat Food Bowl
The one place you can expose your hamster food is in the food bowl. Some pet owners like to fill up the food bowl so their little pals can eat whenever they want. But, long exposure could attract ants.
So the best solution is to use moat food bowls. It’s a bowl surrounded by water. So your pet can reach the food but not the ants.
Conclusion
You need to take care of your pets. And that means ensuring no harm can come to them. So, if you have a pet hamster, you must keep ants away from the enclosure.
You can clean the cage, placing in a proper location, or use a moat food bowl. If you know anyone having trouble with ants in their hamsters, sharing this article should let them know how to keep ants from hamster cages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Ants Dangerous to Hamsters?
Yes. Ants can be dangerous to hamsters. They are known for their aggression and will attack your hamster, which can lead to serious injury.
Do Hamsters Eat Insects?
Hamsters are omnivorous animals and will eat insects, including ants. But not all insects are safe because some can contain the toxin. So, don’t let your hamster eat random insects unless you are sure it is safe for consumption.
What Should I Do if There Are Ants in the Hamster Cage?
If there are ants inside your hamster cage, remove your pet immediately. You can use a vacuum or a broom to clean the cage.
Ensure that whatever it is that is attracting the ants is removed. If the ants keep coming back and you don’t know how to eliminate them, try calling an exterminator.
