There are a few ways ants can be problematic. Some ants sting. If you’re stung by an ant, it is possible that you could have an allergic reaction, even if you’ve never had one before. Some ants damage the wood inside Chandler homes. These ants start with soft, rotting wood and may also damage wood that is not decaying. Some ants spread diseases. These ants feed on the open wounds of pets, wildlife, and livestock, or get into hospitals. But the vast majority of pest ants in Chandler don’t do any of these things. Most ants are considered to be nuisance pests that can present a mild threat for the spread of harmful bacteria. This is because they can get into stored foods and climb on dishes as readily as they get into garbage cans. Pavement ants fall into this last category. While they’re not a serious threat, they can be a serious nuisance, and they have the potential to make you ill. Here are a few more things you might want to know about pavement ants in Chandler.
Where Pavement Ants Live
You can probably guess by the name that pavement ants can get under pavement and in the cracks of pavement. This can give you some insight into what they’ll do when they come into your yard. They’ll get underneath walkway bricks and concrete steps. They’ll get under your driveway and establish themselves in the cracks of hard building materials. They’re also prone to getting into homes because they explore foundation cracks and other exterior cracks. The first step in keeping your Chandler home free of pavement ants is to seal potential entry points.
Inspect your foundation and use a foundation repair kit to seal any cracks you find.
Replace damaged door sweeps on exterior doors or install sweeps that aren’t present.
Replace weatherstripping on doors to make sure you have a good seal all the way around.
Use a caulking gun to fill in any gaps around pipes or wire conduits.
What Pavement Ants Do Inside Chandler Homes
These ants can come into your home and invade your pantry. They can explore your kitchen and mobilize an army to feed on food sources they find. If they find your home to be a fruitful foraging area, they could decide to create a nest in your wall voids, underneath floorboards, and inside other voids within your home. It is important that you maintain a home that is resistant to these ants.
Store your pantry foods in sealed containers. You can use glass or plastic. This keeps the smells that attract these ants contained, and prevents ants from getting into your food.
Clean up kitchen spills as quickly as possible.
Refrain from stacking dirty dishes in a dry sink or next to the sink in a stack. It is far better to put them in soapy water until you’re ready to wash them.
The Role Moisture Plays
Pavement ants are attracted to moisture. Water is a building block of life. So it only makes sense that these ants will gravitate to moisture sources in your home. If you want to keep them out, it is important to get leaky faucets fixed as quickly as possible. All of those tiny droplets of water are more than enough water to sustain a little ant.
The Role Yard Debris Plays
If you have organic matter on the ground, or clutter in your yard, these can make your yard interesting to pavement ants. They’ll hide underneath any objects that shield them from the sun during the hot days, and organic matter in landscaping tends to stay moist underneath. Keep things cleaned up to resist pavement ant activity.
When Ant Control Is Necessary
Most of the time, you can manage pavement ants by reducing moisture, removing food options, and by sealing exterior entry points. But large pavement ant pressures may require the use of ant control products. These are best selected and administered by a licensed professional.
Do you live in Chandler, AZ?
Remember that Green Home Pest Control is always available to assist you with your pest control issues in Chandler. When it comes to quality ant control, we have you covered. Our team is highly educated and experienced with Arizona ant pests. Reach out to us today for advice or assistance.