Buffalo Exterminating - Tough on Pests. Easy on You.©
Pavement Ants
How to identify
Brown and small (about 1/8 inches), pavement ants are among Western New York's the most pervasive pests. They live in large colonies, often along outside foundations in perimeter soils, under flat rocks or concrete slabs.
Problems caused by Pavement Ants
Pavement Ants contaminate food products and are difficult to control because of their habit of nesting in such secluded locations.
Where to find Pavement Ants
Thousands of pavement ant workers can be found in one colony. They commonly bring sandy soil up through cracks of sidewalks, driveways, patios, inside along baseboards, above slab foundations and atop concrete basement walls. Pavement ants are often noticed in trails, one following another, along baseboards or concrete slab foundations and on top of basement foundation walls. These "foragers" - searching for food to take back to share with their colony - represent only about 5% of the colony at any given time.
How to limit the conditions that attract or support Pavement Ants
- Keep track of where you notice ants, especially their trails.
- Clean up slipped food immediately.
- Store sweets and proteins in airtight containers.
- Empty trash receptacles often.
- Seal cracks along foundations and baseboards.
- Seek professional assistance and consider an ongoing, preventive program.
Buffalo Exterminating is tough on Pavement Ants
Ant baits are the most effective means of control both inside and outside the structure, taking advantage of the pavement ants' food-sharing habits. We treat outside ant colonies along foundations, under concrete slabs and flat stones with both injection and spray methods. It is common to notice an increase in ants feeding inside on baits for a week or so before activity drops off. A follow-up service to replenish bait placements is required one week after initial service. Do not interfere with trailing ants once ant baits are placed and do not use cleansers or pesticides near ant trails. Foraging ants must be able to return to their colony with the treated baits for control to be successful.
Over-the-counter treatments can kill some foraging ants, but they are not as effective at providing consistent, ongoing prevention from re-infestation by ants.
Our preventive maintenance program is designed to help prevent further problems with pavement ants nesting in and around your building. Thorough inspections are needed to locate all ant trails to and from the building and persistent treatments must be maintained to eliminate the many thousands of ants normally found in an average size colony.
