If you’ve ever taken a moment to look at the ground beneath your feet on a hot summer day, you might have seen an army of tiny pavement ants on the sidewalk or driveway. These small ants aren’t much of a threat to your safety, but they are an absolute nuisance to deal with when an infestation becomes too large. If you’ve got pavement ants on your Kansas City property, here’s what you need to do.
What Are Pavement Ants?
Pavement ants are one of the most common ants in the United States. As their name implies, they can be commonly found inhabiting paved sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots. However, pavement ants will also nest indoors where they can be found in walls, insulation, and under floors.
These little ants usually measure between 1/10 and 1/8 inch in length and have a dark brown or black coloration. They are famously indiscriminate eaters and will devour everything from seeds and nuts to other insects — and of course, the food in your pantry. Like their cousins, the fire ants, and pavement ant colonies can be recognized by the presence of small dirt mounds.
Are Pavement Ants Dangerous?
While they might not deliver a deadly bite or destroy your property, pavement ants can contaminate food and surfaces. They can pick up pathogens as they scavenge for food and transmit them as they travel indoors. But generally, pavement ants are not considered dangerous.
The real trouble with pavement ants is that they’re especially hard to get rid of. They often infest in large numbers, and even killing off the pavement ants you see by the dozens won’t have much of an impact on the population. Pavement ants nest deep underground with up to 10,000 individuals inhabiting a single colony.
Unless you manage to eliminate the queen, these pesky ants will continue to run amok on your property. But unfortunately, pavement ants live in polygyne colonies, meaning they have multiple queens. So even if you get rid of one queen with ant bait, others may still be laying eggs and propagating the colony.
How To Prevent Pavement Ants
While they might be tough to get rid of, a pavement ant infestation is relatively easy to prevent.
Follow these tips to protect your property from an unwanted ant invasion:
- Clean up often. Make sure there are no crumbs or spills for pavement ants to find. Thoroughly clean your kitchen and dining areas, especially under appliances where food scraps go unseen.
- Protect your pantry. Store pantry foods in sturdy containers with tight-fitting lids. Inspect your cupboards or pantry for any spills or damaged packaging and clean up as needed. Even the smallest morsels will attract pavement ants.
- Close off entrances. Look for any gaps around pipes or cracks in the foundation where ants can get in. These tiny ants only need a fraction of an inch to get indoors, so seal off any space with caulk as needed.
- Reduce moisture. Check for excess moisture accumulating around your property, including leaking pipes and fixtures. Dispose of any standing water indoors as frequently as possible.
- Do some landscaping. Trim back any branches or plant stalks that are making contact with your home or business. Pavement ants can use hedges and shrubs to access your property.
The best thing you can do to get rid of pavement ants on your Kansas City property is to get in touch with the experts at Augustine Exterminators. Since 1966, we’ve been providing the greater Kansas City area with the highest quality pest control services. With both residential pest control plans and commercial pest control plans available, we’ll eliminate your pavement ant problem at the source and protect your property from future infestations.