If you notice mounds of displaced soil along with paved areas it’s a good indication you are dealing with pavement ants. They are called pavement ants because you will find them nesting under sidewalks, driveways and building foundations. Pavement ants are not native to North America, they have been transplanted here and adapt well to the North American climate. They are one of the most common ants found in the country. They live outside but will be happy to invade your home if they find a reliable food source.
Pavement Ant Identification
Pavement ants are usually brown or black in color and have brown and black markings on their bodies and legs. They are small and get as big as an eighth of an inch. You can distinguish these ants from others by a pair of spines on its back. They also have tiny grooves on the head and thorax along with tiny, fine hairs on their bodies. They do have a tiny stinging appendage but because of their tiny size, there will be little impact on humans. Their small size makes it very easy for them to move through cracks and crevices in foundations of homes to them make nests in your home or to look for food. While they aren’t considered a major health threat, they can contaminate food and eating areas when they leave dirt and bacteria behind on surfaces. They will eat just about anything that is easy to get back to the colony, from nuts, seeds, bread, meats, grease and sweets like honey and sugar. They will even eat subterranean termites and other insects that dwell in the soil. Pavement ants will travel as far as 30 feet from their nest to find food. As they do this they will leave a chemical trail to help other members of the colony locate the food source they have found. These chemical trails result in unsightly numbers and trails of ants that can lead to more contamination.
Carpenter Ant Prevention
The most obvious sign you’re dealing with pavement ants is the presence of foraging workers or the swarmers that you’ll see flying around the little mounds of soil that get pushed up as they construct or expand their colony. These will be found above cracks in the foundation, sidewalks and driveways. Swarmers are winged ants that leave the colony to mate and start a new colony. To prevent pavement ants from getting into your home you need to make sure external cracks and small openings are sealed tightly. Keep areas they may use to nest like piles of leaves or wood clutter-free and away from the home. Keep your kitchen clean to keep them out and keep food in sealed containers. As an added measure to keep them away, rinse drink containers before you throw them away.
Pavement Ant Inspections, Prevention & Control in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park, Texas
Ants of any kind can be a real pain to deal with. Professionals can correctly identify the ant species you’re dealing with and come up with an effective course of action to take care of the ant infestation so they won’t come back! Contact A-Tex Pest Management if you think you’re dealing with pavement ants or any ants for that matter!