Pittsburgh Pavement Control Exterminator
Organized labor that never goes on strike. Pavement ants are a small species of ants that nest in dirt areas often under large slabs of concrete. Workers of this species range in size from 2-4 millimeters longs, which is about the size of Lincoln’s memorial on a US nickel. These ants feed largely on sugar or sugary foods like syrup and fruit. A telltale sign of pavement ants, other than seeing the actual ants, is the tiny small grained mounds created from the excavated dirt of their colonies.
Where did these ants come from? Originally these ants were brought over on merchant ships from Europe. They slowly integrated themselves into the northeast, Midwest and Pacific Northwest. They get into your home through cracks in the foundation where they make their nests and lay eggs to create an all new ant colony and thousands of new ants. Food will attract these ants into the home as any type of food will be taken back to the nest and eaten by these scavenger ants.
What can I do to prevent pavement ants? Absolutely nothing. Ants, much like air, water, earth and sky are constant forces in life. Aside from living in a sealed steel chamber, you can and will encounter ants in one way or another. It only takes one ant to wander in, if she find something they need (food, water, nesting site) she screams “eureka!” and the whole family’s moving in. But we here at Budget Pest Control, Inc. can help with Pavement Ant Control.
What can you do to rid me of my ant issue? At Budget Pest Control, Inc. our experienced, knowledgeable technicians identify possible sources of the ants and eliminating their means to travel to and throughout the structure. By properly treating the building and surrounding areas we ensure these card carrying union pests contact the treatment and unknowingly take it back to the union hall for all to share. This inhibits the association’s ability to function properly and the colony dies off. With our expertise, your ant problem will efficiently and effectively be taken care of. Give us a call! After a chat with one of our friendly office personnel regarding Pavement Ant Control and you will have all your questions answered. Also, if you wish one of our experienced technicians sent out in a jiffy 7 days a week!
Stats
Pavement ants are one of the smaller species of ants indigenous to our region, measuring in at about 1/8th of an inch. They are typically dark brown to black in color, and if looking at them under magnification, they have significant furrow lines running vertically on their heads. Pavement ant colonies have winged reproductive members that will be larger than their working class partners.
Did You Know?
- Pavement ants have a wide palate; they will eat insects, seeds, honeydew, honey, breads, meats, cheeses, nuts and even ice cream!
- Pavement ants can be very aggressive. It has been shown that they will attack nearby colonies with little to no warning. Due to this behavior, they have widely expanded their territories both locally and worldwide.
Myths & Facts
MYTH: Pavement ants get their name because they can burrow through pavement.
FACT: They are known as pavement ants due to their colonizing habits, they will most often be found under rocks, sidewalks and slabs. The entrances and exits to these colonies will be associated with small mounds of sand or soil in the cracks of these materials.
Signs of An Infestation
- Pavement ants will leave small mounds at the entrance or exit of a colony. These may appear near baseboards, cracks in pavement or in clusters around a foundation.
- Slow moving populations of ants trailing through a home is a dead giveaway that they may be pavement ants, they display a lethargic, unbreakable form of locomotion when seeking food or shelter.
- Activity near sources of moisture. Pavement ants, much like other ants, are hydrophilic, or highly attracted to water.
- Swarming activity in springtime, usually on the exterior of the home. With any springtime swarming activity, we suggest the intervention of a professional, as it tends to be difficult to differentiate a possible termite issue from a swarming ant issue.
