Little black ants may be small, but they can wreak havoc in Doylestown area homes and businesses. When nesting in the soil or a pile of yard debris that is stored well away from a structure, this species typically does little harm. However, some colonies may nest in woodwork or masonry on a building. When this occurs, the property owner is forced to deal with a persistent problem.
Most people regard little black ant infestations as minor problems. This is true in some cases, but not in all of them. When these ants are seen indoors, it typically means that a much larger problem is going on either behind the walls and beneath the floors of the building or in an outdoor location that is adjacent to the building. If the pests have not yet been seen in kitchens, pantries, cafeterias and other places where food may be stored or served, they will soon make their way there. With their strong sense of smell and need to feed a growing colony, little black ants must constantly forage for food.
When people start seeing ants indoors or spot numerous ants gathering around a crack in the foundation of a building, then it is time to ask an exterminator to inspect the property. Such an inspection can identify the problem species, locate the access points that are being used to come indoors and lead to recommendations for effective treatments.
Licensed pest management professionals use commercial-strength chemicals that destroy ants in their nest, including the queen. This step is essential to ending the infestation. Additionally, the exterminator will fill or cover openings in the building's exterior that are letting pests come inside and ensure that the structure is properly decontaminated.
WHAT DO
LITTLE BLACK
ANTS LOOK LIKE?
This species of ant is so small that it can be difficult for ordinary people to distinguish between it and other species. The most frequently seen colony members are the workers, which generally measure about 1.5 millimeters. By contrast, the colony's queen may be four millimeters long. Black is the most common color, though some individuals may be dark brown. The pest's waist, called a pedicel, is divided into two segments. Experts also may identify the species by the unevenly rounded thorax or the 12-segmented antennae.
WHERE DO
LITTLE BLACK
ANTS LIVE?
Forested areas are the most likely to house multiple little black ant colonies. Yards and landscapes that boast heavily forested parcels will definitely be attractive to the species. However, these ants do not require wooded areas. The void beneath a rock, a rotting log or the spaces beneath a pile of lumber all may serve as ideal nesting habitat.
This species frequently nests indoors, most often using wall voids, woodwork and masonry as nesting sites. Decaying wood is particularly favored because it is less difficult to excavate. Because they are not exceptionally fussy about where they nest, almost any dark, quiet place may serve.
WHAT DO
LITTLE BLACK
ANTS EAT?
One of the reasons why little black ants are so widespread is that they have an omnivorous eating habit. They do eat other insects, but they also love honeydew, cornmeal and secretions from various plants. When they come indoors, they may target fruit, vegetables, desserts and any foods that are oily or greasy.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY
LITTLE BLACK
ANTS
Unlike carpenter ants, an infestation of little black ants is unlikely to cause any property damage. Nonetheless, nests of this species can become surprisingly large if the problem is left untreated over the course of several seasons. This can put unaccustomed stress on ceilings, walls and floors. The species also targets damaged woodwork and masonry, potentially making these issues worse than before.
Moreover, if little black ants are inside a building, then they are getting into any food that they can find. This food is now contaminated and must be thrown away, resulting in an economic loss.
ARE
LITTLE BLACK
ANTS AGGRESSIVE?
Although they have stingers, little black ants are very small. Even if they stung a person, it is unlikely to hurt or cause any sort of serious injury.
Little black ants do not attack people, but they certainly attack food. Coupled with their sheer numbers and unflagging determination to gather as much food as possible, this can make little black ants seem like an aggressive species.
DO ANTS CARRY DISEASE?
Once ants make their way indoors, it is possible for them to trigger allergies or asthma symptoms in people. This happens because of the ants' tunneling behavior, which may release tiny particles of debris into the indoor air.
Additionally, little black ants commonly carry bacteria like salmonella, shigella, streptococcus and E. Coli. As these bacteria are distributed around the places where people live, work and eat, mysterious illness may arise. Most of these involve symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever, so if an infestation is suspected and unexpected symptoms are reported, these may be the result of the infestation.
HOW TO
LITTLE BLACK
DETECT ANTS
Signs of an ant issue include:
• Tiny dark ants found anywhere indoors that food is kept • Ants in bathtubs, showers and sinks • A group of ants clustered around a gap or crack in the exterior of a building
HOW TO
LITTLE BLACK
PREVENT ANTS
To help prevent ant problems the following precautions should be taken:
• Restrict eating to certain areas of the building • Keep areas where food is stored or prepared clean • Upgrade food storage practices to ensure they are pest-proof • Place dirty dishes in the dishwasher instead of in the sink or on the counter • Refrain from keeping food on countertops or tables • Bar ants from coming indoors by getting rid of access points • Trim landscaping so that it does not contact building exteriors • Fix water leaks and standing water problems • Ensure that garbage cans are regularly cleaned
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.
