Wherever you live, if you have pavement ants, there’s no denying that they can be very irritating creatures to have around the house. But don’t worry! We’re here to help you get rid of pavement ants and prevent them from coming back in the future so you can go about your day without having to worry about what’s crawling around your home! Here are tips on how to get rid of pavement ants and keep them from coming back
What are pavement ants?
Pavement ants are aptly named; they have colonies that often set up residence in cracks and crevices on driveways, sidewalks, patios, and other places where paving meets the soil. If you have pavement ants, you’ll know it—these insects are very aggressive and annoying. Some species bite! The good news is that there are a few ways to get rid of pavement ants.
While pavement ants don’t live in your home, they’re a common pest in urban areas, as well as in rural communities where pavement is present. One way to confirm you do indeed have pavement ants is by looking for lines or trails of small holes that appear between cracks and crevices outside your home or along sidewalks and driveways. If it’s warm outside, look for workers roaming around during daylight hours. Workers are black-colored with one body segment behind their head; they also lack wings. The queen will be much larger than her worker counterparts—she has wings and three body segments behind her head. Queens can lay up to 2,000 eggs per day!
Let’s explore some popular solutions so you can protect your home from these pesky pests.
Why do I have pavement ants?
You’ve likely noticed a slight (and annoying) infestation in your home or office. While these insects may be small, they are capable of doing major damage to wood surfaces, so it’s important that you take care of them as soon as possible. How do I get rid of pavement ants? Although there are plenty of home remedies for getting rid of ants, we recommend using professional pest control techniques if you have a particularly bad infestation. A well-trained exterminator will ensure pests are taken care of and won’t come back for weeks—or even months! Here is how to call an exterminator. (If you decide on DIY methods instead, make sure that any poison you put down is pet-safe; here’s how. )
Are they a cause for concern?
You’ve likely noticed a slight (and annoying) infestation in your home or office. The good news is that pavement ants aren’t harmful to people, even if they do seem aggressive. However, they can be a nuisance and, while small, they are capable of doing major damage to wood surfaces. So it’s important that you take care of them as soon as possible.
How to get rid of pavement ants
Although there are plenty of home remedies for getting rid of ants, we recommend using professional pest control techniques. A well-trained exterminator will ensure pests are taken care of and won’t come back for weeks—or even months! Here is how to call an exterminator. (If you decide on DIY methods instead, make sure that any pesticides you put down are pet-safe and child-friendly. )
It is essential that homeowners take note of proper safety procedures before going on any insecticidal spree: keep children and pets away from exposed insecticides, avoid inhaling pesticides (and use only those labeled for application indoors), wear protective clothing, apply chemicals at night when insects aren’t active and never spray pesticides near open flames.
Can I get rid of them on my own?
If you’re only dealing with a few ants here and there, you may be able to do it yourself. Sprinkle Borax in small piles throughout your yard or sprinkled on ant-occupied turf. They will eat through it, take it back to their nest, and kill off most of their ant colony. You can also try pouring boiling water into an anthill or putting down diatomaceous earth, which will hurt them and dry out their nest.
Pavement ants, and other ant species, can be difficult to eliminate. If you need help eliminating a pavement ant infestation, call the pest experts at My Pest Pros at 703-665-4455 or contact us online. Our trained team knows how to look for the source of ant infestations and has the training and tools to help protect your family and home with our year-round pest protection plans.