Do you have a pavement ant problem? These pesky critters can be difficult to get rid of, and can cause some serious damage to your property. In this article, we will teach you how to identify pavement ants, treat them, and remove them from your home for good!
How to Identify Pavement Ants
The first step to getting rid of pavement ants is identifying them. If you see small black ants crawling around your driveway or sidewalk on a regular basis, chances are you have a pavement ant problem creeping up.
Pavement ants are small black ants that measure about ⅛ of an inch long. They get their name from their habit of nesting in pavement cracks, and they are commonly found near driveways, sidewalks, and in basements. You may also find them in high-moisture areas with hard floors like kitchens and bathrooms, since they need access to water.
Why are Pavement Ants a Problem?
Pavement ants are not harmful to humans, but they can cause damage to your property. These ants are known for burrowing into concrete and asphalt, which can weaken the structure of your pavement over time. More importantly, pavement ants can damage the foundation of buildings if left unchecked.
As an infestation of pavement ants grows outdoors, they may decide to venture indoors in search of food and shelter. They may start building colonies in high moisture parts of the home with hard flooring, which can damage the interior and structural integrity of your home.
If you have pavement ants on your property, it is important to take action immediately to prevent further damage.
How Do I Get Rid of Pavement Ants?
Once you have identified the ants, you can start treating them. There are a variety of products on the market that can be used to kill pavement ants. Here are some of our favorite ways to deal with pavement ants.
Bait Traps
Another way to remove pavement ants is to use commercial bait traps. This method is best if you’re already finding these critters in your home since they are protected from the elements.
To use bait traps, simply place the traps around your home in areas where pavement ants have been seen. The ants will be attracted to the bait and will take it back to their nest, which will eventually kill the entire colony.
You can find bait traps at most hardware stores or online. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label for the best results.
Borax Bait
A tried and true ant removal technique is to create ant bait mixed with borax as a poison. As a disclaimer, keep this away from pets and small children!
To create this concoction, mix borax cleaning power with starches or sugars that ants would like. Cornstarch, powdered sugar, or even flour would work well here, just make sure it’s fine enough to mix the borax with.
Place this powder in areas inside the home where you suspect there is a good deal on ant activity, and let it work its magic.
How Do I Keep Pavement Ants Away?
There are a few different ways to keep these concrete cracking creatures away from your home for good. Fortunately, there are plenty of effective, natural repellants that you may already have in your home!
Vinegar
Bugs of all kinds have one major thing in common: they hate vinegar. Spraying-watered-down vinegar in any problem areas is a great way to let the creepy crawlies know they aren’t welcome there.
The scent of vinegar messes ant’s communication pheromones, so they likely will have a much harder time navigating the sprayed area. This method won’t kill pavement ants outright, but it will definitely dissuade them from sticking around your property.
Cayenne Pepper
Like vinegar, cayenne pepper also disrupts an ant’s ability to communicate with its colony. Mixing cayenne pepper with water and spraying the solution in problem areas can help keep pavement ants at bay.
You can also sprinkle cayenne pepper around the perimeter of your property as a preventative measure to keep pavement ants from ever making themselves comfortable there.
Lemon
Lemons are another common household item that can be used to deter pavement ants. Lemons contain citric acid, which is poisonous to pavement ants.
Mixing lemon juice with water and spraying the mixture in problem areas can help keep pavement ants at bay. You can also sprinkle lemon peels around the perimeter of your home as a preventative measure.
As you can see, there are a variety of ways to get rid of pavement ants. Be sure to try a few different methods until you find one that works best for you! For more information about the pavement ant’s behavior and impact, check out this article from Pennsylvania State.
If your issues with pavement ants continue after trying multiple solutions, you may need to call in a professional exterminator.
Pest control teams like proof. pest control have the experience and equipment necessary to get rid of pavement ants quickly and efficiently. If you have a recurring problem with pavement ants, it is best to contact a pest control company for regular treatment and removal services.