When people notice a colony of little black ants in a garden or field in Levittown, it is no cause for alarm. These are natural habitats for these insects, and chances are good that they will do no harm.
Nonetheless, colonies of little black ants do sometimes migrate toward man-made structures. If conditions are right, then they will build indoor nests and use the building for collecting food and water.
What kinds of conditions are likely to attract little black ants? Usually, it begins with the scent of food. Like other insects, these ants have especially keen senses of smell. This enables them to detect even the tiniest crumbs of food that might be sitting on a kitchen counter or on a desk in an office where someone had a hasty lunch.
Along with their strong sense of smell, these ants are adept at finding all of the tiny holes and fissures that are in the exteriors of most buildings. Little black ants are minuscule, easing their entrance through openings that most people would not consider vulnerable.
Licensed exterminators know that little black ants are capable of fitting through just about any opening. Once indoors, these pests have a knack for finding food, water and the perfect place to build a well-concealed nest.
Even though the ants are fairly good at escaping notice, people eventually see a line of ants marching somewhere that they do not belong. When this happens, it is safe to assume that the problem is larger than it appears. Strong measures are needed to evict the ants, destroy their nests and prevent future infestations from occurring.
Fortunately, these are the steps that exterminators are trained to take.
WHAT DO
LITTLE BLACK
ANTS LOOK LIKE?
Worker ants are the colony members that are sent out to collect food and water. At only about one-and-a-half millimeters in length, this species truly lives up to its name. The queen is much larger, sometimes measuring four millimeters. However, she almost never leaves the nest. Their black or brown color, a two-segmented pedicel, a rounded thorax and antennae with many segments are some of the identifying characteristics of this species.
WHERE DO
LITTLE BLACK
ANTS LIVE?
Forests and fields provide excellent natural habitat for little black ants because there are so many trees and plants present. Areas such as these provide the colony with everything it requires.
Buildings that are located close to forests or rural lands may be more likely to be infested with little black ants, but this species certainly can be found in more densely populated areas as well.
In fact, this species can nest almost anywhere, which means that they are as at home in a tree hollow as they are in a wall void. Even the tiniest crack in the exterior of a structure is enough to let the pests inside. Once there, they may use damaged wood as a nesting site because they can dig into it more easily than they can wood that is in good condition.
WHAT DO
LITTLE BLACK
ANTS EAT?
Some insects that live underground feed on plant roots and produce a sweet-tasting substance known as honeydew. This is the staple food of the little black ant, and this is why colonies frequently are found in gardens and fields where plenty of plants are found. Other foods that are consumed by little black ants include insects and plant secretions.
Because they are virtually omnivorous feeders, little black ants are designed to succeed in man-made structures. Oily, greasy, sweet or protein-containing foods all are favored by the pests, so they may be found infesting almost any food in kitchens and pantries. Even pet food is extremely attractive to little black ants.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY
LITTLE BLACK
ANTS
Levittown homes and businesses may suffer some structural damage associated with a little black ant infestation. The damage typically is not as severe as the destruction that occurs with a termite problem, but it is still a cause for concern.
This is why it is wise to have routine pest inspections performed on the property. A regular program of inspections ensures that any problems are detected at the earliest stages, making it possible to start a strong and effective response before much damage has occurred.
Long-standing little black ant infestations may be responsible for considerable damage. Nests may be enlarged as time goes by, putting unusual stress on the building's structural components. Extensive repairs may be required before the building is sound again.
ARE
LITTLE BLACK
ANTS AGGRESSIVE?
Close inspection of little black ants reveals that they do have stingers, but these generally are not used on people. Other insects have much more to fear from an attack by little black ants than humans do.
Still, in buildings where the little black ant population is dense, this can seem like an aggressive species. This is because the ants seem to just keep coming no matter how much bug spray is used.
The reality is that much stronger and more varied control measures are needed.
DO
LITTLE BLACK
ANTS CARRY DISEASE?
Frequently, little black ants excavate damaged wood when they nest indoors. This digging activity releases multitudes of tiny particles into the building. Many of these particles will be picked up by the heating and cooling system, redistributing them throughout the structure. This harms the quality of the indoor air, and it is not uncommon for people who live or work in infested structures to combat symptoms like watery eyes, congestion and a runny nose.
Moreover, these pests are responsible for causing dozens of cases of food poisoning every year. Bacteria like E. Coli, salmonella and streptococcus are commonly carried by little black ants. These are spread to food preparation surfaces and food items that are intended for people to eat. Consuming contaminated food leads to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
HOW TO DETECT
LITTLE BLACK
ANTS
Signs of an ant infestation include:
• Small, dark-colored ants found in kitchens or food-preparation areas • Cracks in a building's exterior that are covered with ants • Ants are found in rooms that have issues with dampness • Food containers are infested with ants
HOW TO PREVENT
LITTLE BLACK
ANTS
Follow these steps to help prevent ant control issues:
• Eliminating holes and cracks in the building • Correcting water leaks • Opting for food storage containers that are pest proof • Keeping kitchens, pantries and dining areas cleaner • More frequently emptying indoor garbage cans • Regularly cleaning indoor and outdoor trash receptacles
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.
