New York is famous for its city life as well as the variety of pests that invade every single summer. While always annoying, most of these pests are harmless, making it easier to go about daily living. However, some nuisance pests really earn their title of "annoying," making it necessary to remove them as soon as possible.
One such pest is the pavement ant. While New York is home to many species of ants, pavement ants are so-called because they make their nests in the cracks of sidewalks and underneath buildings. They boast a dark brown to black body and grow to about 1/8" in length. While they prefer to be outside, the sad reality is that New York has so many buildings it's almost guaranteed you'll suffer an infestation without the proper precautions.
Pavement Ants Are Problematic
Unlike some other ants, pavement ants aren't considered dangerous. With that in mind, that doesn't mean they belong inside your building or that they don't pose problems of their own. This species of ant always invades in large numbers. This is largely due to their large colonies, but also it's because they reproduce quickly.
A handful of ants isn't a big deal. Hundreds of them? That's a whole different story. Besides their large numbers, they're difficult to eliminate thanks to how deep their colonies go under the soil, making them difficult to find, much less remove.
Along with their large numbers, pavement ants are capable of contaminating food just like any insect that travels across different surfaces. As such, pavement ant prevention is always the recommended course of action.
Pavement Ant Prevention
Ants, in general, are extremely social and will seek out your food and water to maintain the colony. For this reason, we've put together some basic prevention tips that will keep pavement ants away from your New York home:
- Food: The power of food compels pavement ants to come and see what you have to offer. If they can get into your food, they're staying. That's the bottom line. For this reason, proper food storage in sealed containers is a must. Also, be sure to wipe away any crumbs or stains so they can't "scent" the trail.
- Eliminate Water: Besides food, ants need water sources near their colony. If you have a leak, clogged gutter, or any other type of accessible water source, that's something that you need to correct to have a chance at an ant-free home.
- Trash Management: Gross as it is, pavement ants like to play in your trash. If they can get in, then they will make themselves at home in your home. Close the trash bags, keep the lids shut, and store the trash away from the building to remain protected.
- Seal Things Up: Finally, the easiest way to keep pavement ants out of your home is to make sure you seal up the entry points. Every hole, crack, or crevice is fair game for this annoying pest. Make sure to use silicone caulk to seal these spots up and feel protected.
A Little Assistance From BHB Pest Elimination
Ant infestations are one of the most frustrating things for homeowners. Whether they're sugar ants or the more threatening carpenter ants, they represent a nuisance and potential threat to your way of life. For this reason, our team at BHB Pest Elimination works with you to deliver the ant control and removal services you need so you can become, and more importantly, remain ant-free in New York.
Do you need ant control services? Then give our team at BHB Pest Elimination a call to speak with one of our agents about our professional pest control options or fill out our online form to schedule your free inspection with BHB Pest Elimination.