How to Deal With Little Black Ants?

An ant infestation is not the worst pest problem since most ant species are commonly found in the home, causing no real damage. According to the experts, out of one thousand, only a few ant species are likely to take shelter, and very few stings.

The vast species of ants are garden dwellers that help in aerating soil or control damaging pests. But, ants roaming around the house or property can be annoying and spread unwanted bacterias. One of them is carpenter ants. These ants are black and cause damage by burrowing the wooden furniture.

Let’s dive in to know more about black ants.

Black Ants

All ants are on an endless voyage to hunt for food and Black Ants are no different. These Black Ants are typically small and ordinarily measure 1.5 mm in length, the Queen however can measure up to 4 mm. Famous for being identified in wooden structures and indoors, these little creatures invade your house due to improper storage of food. Black Ants readily feed on oils, meat products, sweets, etc making your house an easy target if you don’t store your food appropriately.

Another reason why Black Ants have paid you a visit could be the need for heat. When the external environment in terms of temperature becomes unfavorable, the ants actively rummage for heat or moisture and indeed find indoors as the solution.

Signs of an infestation by these creatures are visibly evident. An infested household may regularly witness ants crawling on the bathroom and kitchen floors in search of food and water.

Threats that Black Ants bring along

These ants may not necessarily hold any major health risks because the stinger that these creatures possess is often too little to hurt and may not be threatening. However, the materialistic damage potential they hold can easily create havoc. The primary reasons these ants infest a household is to first seek food and second, to create nests and colonies. Both these reasons are quite daunting. Black Ants will pool around food items in your kitchen making it a complete nightmare. Secondly, in the process of nesting and building colonies, these ants begin excavating tunnels in wooden structures as well as in wall voids and masonry. Making these structures eventually weak and possessing majors risk the foundation of your property.

How to get rid of them?

Don’t give them a reason to be your guest! You can easily do this by keeping your house neat and tidy.

Clean all your kitchen appliances and especially the flooring with a surface disinfectant.
Ensure there are no crumbs left on the dining table or on the counter. Seal your meals at all times!
Seal leaky taps as well. Ants are actively in search of water and moisture. Schedule regular plumber visits right away.
Spray an insecticide or a strong-smelling oil to keep ants at bay. Natural oils such as eucalyptus and peppermint work miracles.
Hunt for the colonies! Eradicate the root cause of the problem by destroying their colonies.

Final Words

Signs of ant infestation include visibility of ants crawling on the kitchen floor or bathroom searching for food. Your pest management professional will inspect your home and provide recommendations to deal with the ant infestation.