Pavement Ants
Pavement ants are named for their penchant for building homes in the soil beneath your driveway or sidewalks. They can also build nests beneath your foundation, meaning they don’t have far to wander to end up inside your house. If you’re tired of battling pavement ants in your home only to have them return a few weeks later, it’s time to learn what might be attracting them and what it will take to get rid of them for good.
How Do They Get In?
Pavement ants take up residence under the concrete slab beneath your home during the winter, where they go dormant. When the warm spring air wakes them, they begin their search for food. These insects find a crack in the concrete and wiggle their way inside your home. Before you know it, there’s a large colony invading your pantries and cabinets.
Pavement ants are usually on the hunt for foods containing fat and sugar. If they find a reliable food source in your home, they’ll likely return with more worker ants. While these ants typically do not pose a health risk, they can contaminate open food containers or food preparation areas.
They may take advantage of cracks in your foundation, floors, or walls, sneaking into your home in search of food, water, or shelter from the elements. They usually won’t damage the structure of your home, but a particularly large nest under your foundation or by a window bay could excavate enough dirt to become a problem.
How to Spot Pavement Ants
- Small, about 1/8–1/16 of an inch long
- Brown to blackish in color, with lighter antennae and legs
- Segmented, oval-shaped bodies with a rarely used stinger
- Queens and males have wings; if you see a winged worker, it’s likely a queen or male
Where Do Pavement Ants Live?
Pavement ants are found throughout the United States and primarily reside on ground-level walls, under floorboards, inside insulation, on curbs, and in pavement cracks. They are attracted to homes by the smell of food, eating anything from honeydew and seeds to cheese and meat.
Getting Rid of Pavement Ants
Controlling pavement ants on your own can be difficult due to the structure of ant colonies. A typical colony has multiple queens and thousands of workers.
Many homeowners turn to sprays or baits as a first step, but these can be dangerous around areas where food is prepared, and they often don’t reach the colony’s source. Without exterminating the queens, new worker ants will continue to appear. Professional exterminators are usually the most effective solution.
Ghost Ants
Have you ever seen a ghost ant? Don’t worry—they’re not spirits haunting your kitchen. Ghost ants are common in Florida but can also appear in northern greenhouses and other controlled environments. They are tiny, almost transparent, and milky-white in color.
Where Do Ghost Ants Live?
Ghost ants prefer warm weather. They’ll stay outdoors when it’s nice but are equally happy indoors if it’s too cold. Indoors, they are often found in the bottom of potted plants or behind baseboards.
How to Avoid Ghost Ants
Avoid crushing ghost ants—they release a smell reminiscent of rotten coconuts. The best way to prevent ghost ants is the same as for any ant: keep your home clean, wipe up sticky residue, and don’t leave crumbs on the floor.
How to Treat Ghost Ants
Avoid using chemical sprays indoors—they only kill visible ants and do nothing to eliminate the colony. Instead, use ant baits. The ants carry the bait back to the colony, eliminating both the symptoms and the source without exposing children or pets to harmful chemicals.
Pharaoh Ants
Pharaoh ants are small, mostly black ants, though they may also be tan, yellow, or reddish-brown. They prefer to nest indoors, which is why homeowners and business owners may see infestations.
How Do Pharaoh Ants Get In?
Pharaoh ants enter through tiny cracks and are attracted to sweet and oily foods, though they’ll eat almost anything, including other insects. Once inside, they can multiply rapidly. They have multiple queens and will relocate their nest if they detect danger or repelling odors.
Getting Rid of Pharaoh Ants
Pharaoh ants are difficult to eliminate and are best handled by professional exterminators. Spraying insecticides can make the problem worse by causing the colony to split and move to multiple locations. Professionals use targeted baits to solve the problem safely and effectively.
Avoid Attracting Pharaoh Ants
Practice cleanliness and ensure no open food is left around. If you become infested, call a professional pest control service to efficiently remove the colony.
Fire Ants
Fire ants can deliver painful stings that inject venom, causing swelling, irritation, and sometimes allergic reactions. Although they are more common in warmer southern states, fire ants can adapt to cooler climates.
Fire Ant Bites
Fire ant bites produce a painful, swollen bump. Avoid scratching to prevent infection or scarring. Topical ointments and over-the-counter remedies can help with recovery.
Where Do Fire Ants Live?
They typically live in large colonies in soft soil, riverbanks, under rocks, or along highway shoulders. Be cautious while outdoors to avoid stepping in colonies.
How to Prevent Ants
Indoor Ant Prevention
- Store food in sealed containers
- Keep fruit in the refrigerator
- Avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink
- Keep countertops clean
- Sweep and mop floors regularly
Outdoor Ant Prevention
- Caulk around windows, doors, and where pipes/wires enter the house
- Repair faulty screens
- Keep trees and bushes trimmed away from the house
- Clean gutters and downspouts regularly
- Keep crawl spaces dry
- Check attics for leaks or condensation
- Keep vegetation away from the foundation
- Inspect mulch for pest activity
If you’re struggling with ants, call Epcon Lane Pest Control for professional assistance. Our experts can help keep your home and business free of pests.
