One of the most prevalent ant species and pests is pavement ants (Tetramorium caespitum). Because they enjoy eating sweets, some people also refer to them as sugar ants.
These ants are capable of delivering diseases into the home and can be a nuisance in large numbers. They may reside beneath sidewalk cracks, stone, concrete slabs, etc. They overrun your home, yards, and lawns in large colonies. In search of food, this kind of ant species is frequently observed in homes, restaurants, and supermarkets.
What do pavement ants look like?
It might be very beneficial to get rid of them if you know about their appearance. The bodies of pavement ants are normally brown, although they can also be reddish-brown, dark brown, or even black. They range in length from about 1/8 of an inch, or 1/8 the width of a typical paperclip. They have elbowed antennae, a big thorax, and a small head.
How to get rid of pavement ants?
Preventing the entrance of pavement ants is your best line of protection. Ants can be kept away by getting rid of potential attractants. Check out a few tricks to avoid an ant invasion.
1. Clean up food messes
It may be difficult to control ants and persuade them to return outside if they can find a reliable food source inside. Ants only have three tasks: gather resources, feed the queen, and safeguard the colony. The cause of your indoor ant problem may be found if there are crumbs under your sofa or food residue on your counters (even on the cushions of your couch). An ant will eat anything, even if it’s just a few crumbs.
2. Keep pet food out of the way
Pet food is a favorite with ants, particularly pavement ants. Pavement ants can cheerfully eat your pet’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner since they adore oily, protein-rich foods. Put the food away, keep stray bits scooped up, and don’t leave food outside while your pet isn’t eating!
3. Address moisture issues
Carpenter ants, moisture ants, termites, and other pests that cause damage to wood, seek out moist wood to build their nests in. You can prevent creating an ant problem by keeping up with your home’s maintenance requirements and making sure that leaks and water damage are quickly fixed.
4. Vinegar or essential oil-based cleaning sprays
While vinegar and essential oils shouldn’t be used as ant repellents, they do have a role in an all-natural ant management strategy. If the inner numbers are enormous, this won’t work as effectively, but if you spot ants here and there, spritz them with your cleaning solution and wipe them off with a towel.
5. Coffee grounds
The smell of the coffee is overbearing, which keeps ants out of the area. To get a good look at pavement insects and keep them out, you can scatter them among the grass.
Final thoughts
Pavement ants are a common intruder of homes worldwide and are generally non-lethal. They can be hard to get rid of, but it is possible to repel and eradicate ants over time using the tricks described above. Future infestations can be avoided by keeping your home clean and avoiding possible entry points and hiding spots for ants.
If everything else fails, professional exterminators can take care of the ant problem in your house. Get in touch with Topline Pest Control and get rid of your pavement ants at the earliest.
