When concentrated ant activity is spotted on surfaces such as sidewalks, patios and driveways, then it is almost certain that an infestation of pavement ants is underway. Most Doylestown area homes and businesses are not overly concerned when they see tiny black ants on their driveway. In a sense, they are right not to be too worried since this species of ant does not cause as much damage as other species like the carpenter ant.
Nonetheless, large pavement ant infestations can cause a mess on patios and driveways. Any small cracks or seams will slowly grow bigger, and most homeowners would prefer not to see multiple tiny piles of sand all over their patio. Moreover, pavement ants do come indoors. They sometimes will build a nest in a house, especially if a foundation has some inviting cracks. However, they are much more likely to come inside looking for food.
Seeing ants in the kitchen is enough to send most homeowners into a panic. This is because they know that ants tend to eat many of the same foods that people do. Accordingly, the ants will keep coming indoors for meals until they are prevented from doing so.
Keeping ants outdoors where they belong and well away from structures can be a surprisingly complex process. Many homeowners mistakenly believe that they can lay out a couple of ant traps and end the problem. Unfortunately, this rarely attacks the infestation at its source, the queen.
Pest exterminators are trained to destroy the nest and its queen while also sealing up the holes and cracks that basically look like open doors to insects like pavement ants. People who are serious about ensuring that their home is a no-pest zone are encouraged to contact a licensed pest management professional without delay.
WHAT DO PAVEMENT ANTS LOOK LIKE?
Thousands of members, most of them workers, make up a pavement ant colony. Usually black or brown, these ants may only grow to a maximum size of about one-sixteenth or one-eighth of an inch. Pavement ants have distinguishing characteristics such as a darker body than legs and two nodes on a petiole that connects the abdomen to the thorax. However, it is difficult to see these features without a microscope.
The good news is that pest management professionals are trained to identify these and other pests on sight.
WHERE DO PAVEMENT ANTS LIVE?
The most likely places to find pavement ant colonies include driveways, sidewalks and patios. This is because this species of ant likes to dig down into the cracks and seams that are frequently found in these surfaces. Pavement ant nests are underground and well protected by the paved surfaces that rest above them. Telltale signs of a pavement ant nest include an accumulation of small piles of sandy-looking soil on top of or adjacent to a paved surface and the presence of dozens of worker ants among such piles.
As the pavement ant workers excavate the nest below the ground's surface, the crack or seam may become larger. Accordingly, additional damage may be caused to the paved surface as more water seeps below the surface. Some pavement ant colonies also may be located beneath smaller items, like a stepping stone, that can settle or become uneven thanks to the excavation going on underneath.
Perhaps the worst place to find a pavement ant nest is in the home's foundation. Given the proximity to the kitchen, it is extremely likely that the ants soon will be found indoors.
WHAT DO PAVEMENT ANTS EAT?
Pavement ants can eat a varied diet, but they are most likely to consume protein and sugar as their main nutrition sources. Honeydew and plant sap provide needed sugar while the pavement ant also will eat other insects to obtain protein.
In the kitchen, pavement ants are attracted to any foods that contain sugar or protein or that are greasy or fatty. Because people also eat things like peanut butter, meat, baked goods, sugar, seeds and other foods that are attractive to pavement ants, it is no surprise that this species is so frequently found infesting pantries.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY PAVEMENT ANTS
Damage caused by pavement ants may be minimized by early control efforts, but even when allowed to persist, these colonies cause little property damage. Nonetheless, some smaller paved surfaces can become trip hazards, and no one likes to see a small crack in the driveway being turned into a major problem.
ARE PAVEMENT ANTS AGGRESSIVE?
Aggression toward other pavement ant colonies is common, but this species generally is too small to turn their aggression toward people with any serious consequences. Still, the number of ants in these colonies can be overwhelming, particularly when they regularly are appearing in the kitchen or pantry.
DO PAVEMENT ANTS CARRY DISEASE?
In homes where pavement ant infestations are occurring, food poisoning is a frequent risk. This is the only real threat to human health that is associated with a pavement ant infestation, but it certainly can cause the home's occupants to spend some unpleasant days.
Pavement ants, like other ant species, are inveterate spreaders of bacteria and various toxins. When these contaminants are deposited on food preparation surfaces, food cooking utensils or on the food itself, people can easily become ill.
HOW TO DETECT PAVEMENT ANTS
The following signs may indicate a pavement ant problem:
• Small accumulations of sandy soil next to or sitting on paved surfaces • Obvious ant activity around a paved surface • Small black ants found on the floor or on the kitchen counter • Winged black ants swarming in the spring • Ant activity around a crack in the home's foundation
HOW TO PREVENT PAVEMENT ANTS
The following tips can help prevent a pavement ant issue:
• Seal, cover or otherwise repair holes and cracks in paved surfaces around the property • Fill or seal any cracks, holes or gaps in the home's exterior • Wash outdoor garbage cans with a garden hose • Rinse any recyclable containers that held food before putting them in outdoor receptacles • Cut back tree limbs and bushes so that they do not touch the house • Seal any gaps around pipe and utility entrance points into the house • Decant stored food into glass or metal containers with tight lids • Store pet food except at mealtimes • Place dirty dishes directly into the dishwasher instead of the sink • Keep all kitchen surfaces clean
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.
