Pavement ants are medium-sized brown to black with lighter legs and antennae. They can grow around 1/16-1/8 inches in length, have lines or grooves running parallel on their heads and thorax. They may live up to 5 years, are most active in the summer. They grow in numbers creating big colonies, sometimes up to thousands.
Pavement ants are omnivores and feed on many different things. They eat insects, sweets, greasy food, honeydew, and even pet food. Their diet also changes with what they find to eat at different times of the year.
Why Pavement Ants Are A Problem In Oklahoma City
Pavement ants are not typically dangerous to people but are problematic in that they invade in very large numbers and are hard to eliminate.
They can bite if their home is threatened. However, their bites are harmless. A greater concern is that when in your home, they can contaminate food and any surface they walk on. When they find food, they will leave a trail for their friends. That means the problem you thought was only outside your home is now also inside. It's not uncommon for pavement ants to nest in warmer areas as well, such as inside insulation and under flooring.
Looking out for certain signs can help identify a pavement ant infestation in Oklahoma City:
- The most significant sign is the presence of pavement ants on your property.
- Pavement ants can be identified by their coloration and size.
- Their nests are constructed of soil, debris, food remnants and are usually found under concrete slabs or in cracks in concrete. The presence of pavement ants may mean that other insects are present too.
- Another tell-tale sign is displaced loose soil around cracks or joints in sidewalks, patios, and driveways.
Pavement ants are extremely difficult to control because they frequently nest in hard-to-reach places like cracks in concrete sidewalks. This makes it very difficult to treat pavement ants.
Tips To Prevent Future Pavement Ant Infestations
Pavement ant nests found on your property or in your home should be treated immediately. The longer it goes untreated, the greater pavement ants will build up their numbers.
- Install door sweeps and screens on windows and doors.
- Treating wood, trash piles, or areas of high debris may help reduce potential nesting sites for pavement ants.
- Seal cracks in the foundation and crevices in sidewalks and driveways.
- Keep your home, especially the kitchen, clean and free of food, crumbs, spills, and pet food.
As you can see, pavement ants are so hard to get rid of, especially on your own. Even if you try DIY methods or sprays, large ant colonies can divide into smaller ones, thus leaving a bigger ant problem on your hands.
The best way to say goodbye to these persistent invaders is with effective ant control and management through professional assistance from Guaranteed Pest Service of Oklahoma.
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