They’re tiny, they’re dark brown and they can be highly annoying. They are commonly called pavement ants since they live under rocks, sidewalks and pavements. They are not native to the United States. They hitched a lift on boats with European colonists to the New World. Here are some tips from Beurskens Lawn Care & Landscaping about dealing with pavement ants.
Identification of Species
How to kill pavement ants differs from other species of pest ants, so it’s vital to make sure it is pavement ants that you are dealing with. Pavement ants tend to be one-eighth of an inch long. Using a magnifying glass, you should be able to see bars or stripes on the head. If you are not sure, collect some with scotch tape and stick them in vials, envelopes or other containers. Check with a university, agricultural department, exterminator or a landscape and Paving Services in Effingham IL for them to identify the species.
Laying Down Poison Baits
There are many over the counter poison baits for ants that work to eliminate these pests. You need to be very careful that pets and children do not get into the baits, which contain poisoned food. If you cannot be sure, then do not lay down the baits and let a professional take care of the job. If the ants are in your home, place bait stations on the floors of cabinets and make sure there are child locks on the cabinets. Ants share food with other ants in their colony, so they spread the poison throughout the colony.
Fix Broken Up Pavement and Prevent Entry
Ants move easier through cracked and crumbly pavement than brand new pavement. Contact Paving Services in Effingham IL to get new pavement or, if possible, to repair pavement and sidewalks. If ants are in your home, check your home for cracks and gaps where ants can easily get in. Repair cracks in walls, window frames and foundations. Trim branches, shrubs and tree limbs so that they do not touch any part of your home. If they do touch your home, they can act as bridges from ant colonies to your home. You can also visit them on Facebook for more information.
