It is common for homes and businesses throughout the Bensalem area to be occupied by little black ants inside during the summer months. Though the little insects do not cause physical harm to people or animals, to see trails of them running amuck in the kitchen or bathroom can be a little disturbing.
While the first reaction taken by is to use an over-the-counter spray, failing to destroy the nest will result in a temporary fix. They prefer to be outside in a quiet, moist, dark location. Places around the patio or under the leftover firewood make perfect locations for the ants to build their nests. However, if water and food become hard to find, they are when they start looking for food in other places
WHAT DO LITTLE BLACK ANTS LOOK LIKE?
There is a reason why these insects are referred to as little black ants. The ants measure approximately 1/16 to ⅛ of an inch. The queen ant is a bit larger. The head of the ant is large in portion to its body. The reason is its mouth is for digging and protecting the nest. However, they are not entirely black. Their smooth and shiny body could be black or dark brown.
The ant's body has two main sections; a waist and a thorax. The shape of the thorax is similar to an uneven oval or circle. One characteristic that stands out about these little insects is their antennas. The bent shape antennas have 12 identifiable segments. The antennas have club segments on their ends.
WHERE DO LITTLE BLACK ANTS LIVE?
Little black ants prefer an environment that is dark, moist, and protected from intruders. The ants dig into the soil to create tunnels. Inside the tunnels, the ants make separate chambers for food, the nursery, and waste products. The dirt the ant removes to make the tunnels is in a heap near the nest’s entrance.
The ants often choose outdoor locations such as under rocks, firewood piles, and rotten wood on the ground. They will also dig their tunnels in gardens and flower beds. They also like to tunnel next to pavers, driveways, and sidewalks.
If the little ants make it inside a building or home, their favorite places to nest are areas close to food. They will build nests in walls and other areas where they can easily hide.
WHAT DO LITTLE BLACK ANTS EAT?
As far as diets go, little black ants are not picky eaters. While living outside in the wild, they eat other insects and nectar. When eating in the comfort of someone’s home or office, they have a long list of favorite foods, including fruits, vegetables, sweets, meats, oils, and grease. Pet food is not off-limits either.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY LITTLE BLACK ANTS
Little black ants are known for being more of a nuisance than they are for being destructive. However, these tiny insects can cause some minor damage to Bensalem yards and buildings.
The ants can cause minor structural damage if left alone. They make their nests in small areas within wood structures. Over time, what was once a little crack will grow and could cause the wood to weaken.
Electrical wiring creates a warm place where ants love to live. Unfortunately, they may chew the coating off the wires. The exposed wires could cause a short or in extreme cases could start a fire.
The garden does not escape the wrath of the ants either. The roots of plants and vegetables could be disturbed as the ants are looking for food. They also leave unsightly soil piles near their outdoor nests.
DO LITTLE BLACK ANTS CARRY DISEASE?
Little black ants do not carry diseases in the same sense as other insects. Their tiny stingers do not have enough venom to harm people or household pets.
The ants; however, carry disease with their feet. Ants spend a lot of time in Bensalem walking from place to place. They do not care what they walk over or in including dirt, dead animals, and waste products. The ants can spread diseases such as E. coli by walking on floors, counters, and even food.
ARE LITTLE BLACK ANTS AGGRESSIVE?
Despite their small size, little black ants are very aggressive. When it comes to food, they will dominate other insects to prevent them from taking over the food source. The ants do have a stinger, but thanks to its small size, it does not harm humans or pets.
They are nuisance pests that prefer to take over the yard. However, if given the opportunity or the weather turns cold, the ants will move into a home or building. Pets may often be upset and become agitated that little black ants are walking across their floor and heading toward their food bowl.
The ants will quickly find their way to the pantry or the break room in an office where they can find food. Once they find food, they will stay. The ants will create a scent trail which leads other little black ants to the food.
HOW TO DETECT LITTLE BLACK ANTS
Signs of an ant infestation include:
• Seeing lines of ants across the floor or yard. The ant trails start at a nest and end at a food source. • Spotting small mounds of soil near sidewalks, gardens, and flower beds. • Hearing noises within the wall where the ants have built a nest. • Seeing ants in bushes and trees.
HOW TO PREVENT LITTLE BLACK ANTS
To help protect against ant issues the following steps should be taken:
• Close up all points of entry. Seal cracks and crevices with caulk or spackle, check door and window screens for holes or tears, and make sure windows and doors shut tightly. • Do not keep firewood next to the home or on the patio or porch. It should be kept approximately 25 feet away. • Trim bushes and trees to prevent them from touching the home or a building. Keep the lawn debris free and mowed regularly. • Prevent water from ponding near structures. Make sure to empty anything containing standing water. • Keep the garbage area clean and rinse out bins regularly. Make sure to rinse recyclable items before placing them in bins. • Do not leave food out, especially pet food. Keep counters clean and clean up crumbs and spills.
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.
