When Yardley area homes and businesses spot ants marching across the floor, there is a reasonable possibility that these pests are pavement ants. This species is among the most common, and infestations cause thousands of people to seek pest control treatments each year.
Pavement ants contaminate food, transmit bacteria onto surfaces, and can lead to cases of food poisoning. Simple DIY solutions like vacuuming or traps only address symptoms. A comprehensive pest management approach is needed to block access points, clean the area, and destroy the nest.
Pavement ants generally measure between one-eighth and one-sixteenth of an inch when fully grown. Most feature a blend of brown and black coloring, with brown legs and antennae and a black abdomen. They are identifiable by grooves on the head and thorax, a pair of spines on the back, and nodes on the petiole. Winged swarmers emerge in early summer to reproduce.
Pavement ant nests are commonly found near patios, sidewalks, and driveways, often in cracks or under stones and logs. Indoors, they may nest under floors or within walls and insulation. Their location can be difficult to trace, requiring professional extermination.
Pavement ants feed on sugars, proteins, and almost any edible substance. They consume honeydew from aphids, insects, seeds, and common kitchen foods like baked goods, meats, and pet food.
While they do not cause structural damage like carpenter ants, pavement ants can undermine patios and stepping stones, causing them to settle unevenly and create trip hazards.
Though not typically aggressive, pavement ants have stingers and will defend themselves when threatened. Their pheromone trails guide others to food sources, making it essential to eliminate these trails and block entry points.
Pavement ants can carry contaminants from garbage, sewers, and animal carcasses into homes. They spread bacteria, including salmonella, which can cause food poisoning with symptoms like cramps, fever, and nausea.
Ants are one of the most persistent pest problems, requiring proper identification, nest elimination, and specialized treatments. DIY efforts often fall short, making professional pest control essential.
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For more information about ants, visit: National Pesticide Information Center.
