Pavement ants may be tiny, but they can be a major nuisance for Bucks County homes and businesses. Nesting in pavement cracks or beneath stones, these pests may make their way into houses in search food. In some instances, they will establish a nest within human habitations.
While they are not destructive like carpenter ants, no one wants to see an endless line of ants marching across the counter or floor in their kitchen. These ants contaminate food that is intended for human consumption. Moreover, they spread filth across food preparation surfaces and the kitchen tools that are used to make meals.
The result may be multiple occasions of food poisoning. In an effort to avoid this situation, some homeowners will simply put out a trap or bait station. Unfortunately, these measures rarely are effective because they address only one portion of the problem.
A licensed exterminator knows that it is necessary to block all of the access points that may be allowing the ants to enter the house. Additionally, it is essential to ensure that the colony is destroyed. Thanks to their experience and equipment, pest management professionals are able to control pavement ant infestations with ease.
WHAT DO PAVEMENT ANTS LOOK LIKE?
With a maximum length between one-eighth and one-sixteenth of an inch, pavement ants do not appear threatening. Typically, they are a combination of black and brown. The abdomen is always black, but the legs and antennae are a paler hue. This species is characterized by a pair of nodes on the petiole, the distinctive grooves on the thorax and head and the two spines on the back. Swarmers, which are the winged, reproductive members of the colony, usually emerge in June or July.
WHAT DO PAVEMENT ANTS EAT?
Pavement ants are not selective eaters. Typically, they focus on protein and sugar, though they will consume other substances. Living and dead insects and the honeydew that is secreted by aphids are two of their staple foods in the wild. They also may eat seeds.
In human habitations, pavement ants are drawn to meat, all greasy foods, baked goods, fruit, jam, syrup, honey and more. Pet foods similarly are vulnerable thanks to their protein content.
WHERE DO PAVEMENT ANTS LIVE?
Pavement ants are so named because they typically nest in cracks that are found in driveways, sidewalks and patios. Alternatively, nests may be found beneath stones, bricks or logs. Pavers or stepping stones also provide nesting habitat.
One telltale sign of a pavement ant nest is the tiny piles of sandy soil that begin to appear next to or on paved surfaces. Sometimes, these piles are found adjacent to the foundations of houses. This is because pavement ants do not require pavement to build a nest. They may use open soil or mulch as a cover.
It also is not unusual to find a pavement ant nest indoors, typically inside walls or insulation or beneath a floor.
Because this species may nest in a wide variety of habitats, their colonies can be difficult to locate, which is one of the reasons why these infestations are best left to professionals.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY PAVEMENT ANTS
These pests can cause minor structural damage. The good news is that they do not damage wood. Instead, they are more likely to undermine the soil that lies beneath stepping stones and patios. This can cause these items to sag or settle. Eventually, they may require repair if the damage is extensive enough. Until they are repaired, these items can be trip hazards, particularly for small children and the elderly.
ARE PAVEMENT ANTS AGGRESSIVE?
Although pavement ants are equipped with stingers, they are not likely to use these on people. However, they will attack if they are provoked, so it is wise not to corner or otherwise threaten pavement ants.
Like most ants, pavement ants lay down a powerful trail of pheromones when they have found a source of food. This trail makes it possible for other members of the colony to exploit the food. People sometimes characterize pavement ants and other ant species as aggressive because it can be so difficult to stop their march across kitchens.
It is essential that the ants' access point to the house be blocked and that the pheromone trail be destroyed before the infestation can truly be ended.
DO PAVEMENT ANTS CARRY DISEASE?
In general, pavement ants do not transmit diseases directly to people. This does not mean that they cannot make the entire household sick.
Like other ant species, pavement ants are indiscriminate in their wanderings. They forage for good in trash cans, sewers and animal carcasses. Then, they walk across food preparation surfaces in kitchens without a second thought.
Contaminated food preparation surfaces, utensils and the food itself all can easily make people sick. The most frequent culprit is salmonella, a particularly unpleasant bacterium that is responsible for food poisoning.
Cases of food poisoning may range from mild to severe, with vulnerable people being particularly susceptible to a serious bout of illness or even death. In households where an infestation is suspected and symptoms like nausea, abdominal cramps, chills, headache, diarrhea and fever are present, medical attention is needed.
HOW TO DETECT PAVEMENT ANTS
Signs of a pavement ant issue may include:
• Tiny piles of soil or sand clustered around driveways, sidewalks and patios • Worker ants marching across surfaces in kitchens or pantries • Winged ants swarming in the summer
HOW TO PREVENT ANTS
To help prevent a pavement infestation, the following steps should be taken:
• Immediately repair any leaks in plumbing and irrigation systems • Eliminate standing water both indoors and outside the house • Trim plants and trees so that they do not touch the home's exterior • Cover up or seal any small holes or cracks in the building's exterior • Store firewood and yard debris piles at least 20 feet away from the home • Clean up spills and crumbs as soon as they happen • Keep garbage cans clean • Do not store food on counters or tables • Keep food in glass or metal containers with tight lids
HOW WE TREAT FOR
ANTS
Ants are the number one pest control issue and can prove virtually impossible for home and business owners to solve on their own. Ending an ant infestation typically requires proper ant identification, locating and destroying the nest or colony, as well as the use and application of specialized products.
As such, it is not advisable for property owners to attempt to eradicate an ant infestation without assistance from a professional pest control provider.
