Black ants have different species. No matter the size, there’s nothing more annoying than black ants’ invasion of the home. Their clustering sight is irritable, and they constitute an unending nuisance. While the small black ants aren’t considered dangerous, the large black ants are destructive home invaders.
The black ants are social insects, so they live in colonies outdoors. However, they usually make their way inside the house while they forage for food. Indoors, they are mostly found nesting in moist areas.
What should you do when you notice a black ant infestation? While you can try some DIY to get rid of them, it is not always effective. The best way to get rid of small black ants is to contact professionals in pest control. Read till the end to know the exact ways to keep black ants away from your house.
What Do Black Ants (large and small) Look Like?
Small black ants and large black ants are two species of black ants with similar behavior but different modes of operation. Typically, small black ants (Monomorium minimum) are small jet-black insects measuring around 1.5mm. They have two segmented bodies, six legs, and a pair of antennae. Homeowners experience small black ant infestation mostly between June to August because they forage into homes looking for food.
The large black ants (Camponotus species) are also known as carpenter ants. They are common black ants creating tunnels and galleries in woods at home. They exist in oval and segmented shapes with six legs. A typical black ant measures around 1/2″ to 5/8″.
The black ants are social insects, so they live in colonies. The major difference is in the size and threat they pose. While the small black ants are not really dangerous, the large black ants are destructive.
What Do Black Ants Eat?
Both large and small black ants are omnivorous, meaning they can eat anything. They feed on insects, grease, plant secretions, sweets, fruits, vegetables, etc. You will see them making trails and forming a path around the window sills and kitchen counters at home. The trails are usually a connection between their colony and the food source.
How Serious is Black Ants’ Infestation?
Small black ant infestation is not dangerous because the small black ant problem in the house is hardly noticed. Even though the small black ants can sting and have biting mandibles, their effect in the house is insignificant. Notwithstanding, they are considered a nuisance because the cluster is irritable, and they are invasive in the house. They get into food items and make them unclean to consume.
On the other hand, large black ant infestation is a serious problem because they are destructive. Most of the large black ants are carpenter ants that feed on wood in the house. The big black ant problem requires an immediate response because they create a tunnel in the woods, leading to structural damage at home. If you notice large black ants, contact pest control near you.
Why Do I Have a Black Ant Infestation?
Black ants enter the house through cracks in the wall, crevices in the foundations, and openings around the doors and window area. Black ants live outside in wooden posts, rotten logs and stumps, and decaying decking. They make their way inside when trying to forage for food inside. Once they find their way inside, they will create a trail for others to follow.
You have a black ant infestation because they have found their way into your house through cracks and openings, and they have enough food to feed on inside. Since the large black ants like moist, you will find them around leaking sinks, damaged wood, roof leaks, and wet frames. The small ants also invade the pantry, kitchen, and bathroom, searching for food at home.
Signs Of Black Ants’ Infestation
The most evident sign is that you will notice them crawling in the house in your kitchen, bathroom, and other areas searching for food to eat.
Specifically, you will notice an infestation of large black ants through the wood shavings or rustling sounds of them hollowing through the wood. Note that the large black ants don’t eat the wood; they only create galleries in the wood to make their nest.
How To Prevent Black Ants
Prevention comes first before elimination. Homeowners should seal all cracks and crevices in the foundation with silicone-based caulk. Ensure that firewood isn’t stored close to your house and clear all rotten wood around. Sweep and vacuum your home regularly. Lastly, lawn the mow, and trim trees around you regularly.
How To Get Rid Of Black Ants
To get rid of small black ants in the kitchen, you can place little black ant bait near their foraging trail close to the nest. There are specified large black ant bait for large black ants that you can apply around the house outdoors to control these insects. While using baits from stores, ensure that you have removed all the food sources.
Additionally, you can apply environmentally-safe insecticides in corners of the house, kitchen countertops, and other areas.
Even though ants’ bait and insecticides are great options, contacting professionals like Provincial Pest Control (PPC) for recommendations is the best way to eradicate black ants around you. We have experts with sound knowledge of small black ant control and large black ant control.
At PPC, our technicians know the best pesticide for little black ants and large black ants. We can help you follow the trail, locate the nest and customize a treatment for your home. Anywhere you are located in Canada, we will help you get rid of small black ants. Our method is tested and trusted; we permanently use the most effective method to always solve the problem without side effects.
Make a request today to book Provincial Pest Control (PPC) free inspection , where we cover about 30 pest investigations. Our services are reliable and will make great value for your money.
