If you're seeing little black ants all over your driveway in Houston, chances are these are pavement ants. Pavement ants in Houston can be quite a nuisance if you don't know how to deal with them effectively. They may be outside for now, but they can easily make their way into your home if you don't take precautions to keep them out. All-Safe Pest & Termite, the best name in Houston pest control, is here to help you identify these pests, understand the threats they present, and give you some simple prevention tips to keep them off your property.
How To Identify A Pavement Ant
Before we look at how to get rid of pavement ants, you should know how to identify them. Pavement ants get their name from their tendency to make nests in pavement cracks. Pavement ants are dark brown to black. They have six legs, segmented antennae, and a segmented, roughly oval-shaped body. They are usually about an eighth of an inch long. Pavement ants are known for their extensively varied diet, which can include other insects, meats, breads, cheeses, seeds, honey, and nuts. They will consume many foods humans normally enjoy and seem to prefer greasy foods. While it can be difficult to locate pavement ants in your house or on your property, they will sometimes leave little mounds of dirt piled up on pavement or sidewalks near their nests.
Are Pavement Ants Harmful?
Now that you have a good grasp on how to identify pavement ants, we'll answer a common question; "Are pavement ants harmful?" Fortunately, pavement ants do not carry diseases or pathogens like many other pests do. However, they are still fully capable of contaminating food. Any food that is left out overnight or stored improperly can be a target for these pests. It's important to store your food in sealed containers so that pavement ants can't get into it. Once pavement ants have found a food source, they will make a trail back to their nest, leading more ants into your home. Pavement ants are excellent climbers and can fit through tiny gaps, so it will be very difficult to remove them completely once they come inside.
What Is Attracting Pavement Ants To My Property?
What attracts pavement ants to your Houston property? As mentioned above, a primary factor that attracts these insects is a reliable food source. They are also attracted to moisture and standing water. So what can you do to keep pavement ants away?
There are a few simple steps that you can take, such as:
- Search the exterior of your home for any cracks or gaps and seal them.
- Get rid of standing water and excess moisture.
- Don't store wood too close to your home.
- Keep counters and floors clean.
- Store food in sealed containers.
These tips aren't foolproof, however. You may still find yourself dealing with a pavement ant infestation. If you do, the best thing to do is contact a professional for ant control services in Houston.
Contact The Professionals For Total Pavement Ant Elimination
Since 1984, All-Safe Pest & Termite has provided exceptional pest control services all over the Houston area. If you need help getting rid of pavement ants in your Houston home, you can rest easy knowing our team at All-Safe Pest & Termite has the tools and training to remove them for good. As the area's largest independent pest control company, we offer the most convenient, highest-quality services around. Contact All-Safe Pest & Termite today to request a free estimate and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Houston.