Pests
Extermination
Pavement ants
Pavement ants are small, and as their name states, they build their nests under the pavement. Their nests may be easily recognized by the small mounds of sand found on the ground in pavement cracks or in the grass. They are very active at the end of the spring and in early summer.
Pavement ants range in color from light brown to black and their appendage is lighter than the rest of their body. They are 2.5 mm to 3 mm long. They have a thin waist and angled (folded) antennas. They also have parallel lines on their head and thorax.
Development and Behaviours
Ants are social insects that live in colonies and their favorite food is honeydew. They also feed on living or dead insects, flower nectar or any sweet organic matter within reach (pet food, etc.).
The queen lays 5 to 20 eggs per day and the development cycle of pavement ants generally lasts between 1 and 2 months depending on weather conditions. Pavement ants reproduce very quickly from spring to summer. The colony has thousands of individuals, generally between 2000 and 5000. Once the queen fertilizes, she loses her wings and looks for a place to build an anthill.
Pavement ants nest in the sandy soils of lawns and other surfaces. The exterior of the nests are visible. They look like small craters of fine soil with a small opening. Ants infiltrate building foundations through cracks and crevices, often after heavy rain.
Prevention
Here are some tips to follow in order to prevent a pavement ant infestation:
- Seal cracks and crevices around your property with caulk?
- Block openings around doors and windows?
- Store non-perishable food sources in airtight containers?
- Regularly clean your kitchen and dining room?
- Dispose of garbage regularly?
- Be sure to fix water leaks because moisture and water attract ants?
- If necessary, disinfect the floor with a bleach solution. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.?
- Get rid of debris and wood around your property ?
Recommendations
If you notice ants near your house, have the visible nests on your property treated in order to get rid of pavement ants. By excavating the sand under paving stones, ants end up creating uneven areas under the stones. They often infiltrate buildings looking for water and food, causing problems that can require intervention by a pest control technician.
Most of the time, pavement ant colonies can be eradicated with an outside treatment, which consists of the safe application of a long-lasting insecticide. Contact us to obtain a free estimate!
You have an ant infestation ?