Encountering little black ants can be annoying. Even though they’re harmless, you never want to see them in your house or food. In this post, we will discuss little black ants and how to get rid of them.
What are little black ants?
Little black ants or Monomorium minimum are among the common ant species you may encounter. They are harmless but can be a nuisance as you see them in your home. Tiny black ants may have a dark brown or black color. They are shiny and measure around 1/16 inches long.
These ants have antennae with 12 segments and end in a three-segmented club.
They also have a two-segmented waist. These ants have unevenly rounded thorax and have no spines.
Where do little black ants live?
Usually, the colonies of little black ants live in protected and dark areas. You can find them on foundation walls and sidewalks. You can also find them in your house between walls and carpet and in wooden items.
Location of Little Black Ant Nests
These ants may also live outdoors. You can see their nests on decaying wood or cement or wall cracks. In addition, they also locate their nests on rotting gardens, logs, small craters of soil, and other open areas.
Diet, behavior, and habits of Little Black Ants
These ants are omnivorous. Little black ants eat cotton flea hoppers, corn meals, insects, honeydew, oily or greasy foods, sweets, plant secretions, and vegetables.
Life Cycle Of Little Black Ants
The colonies of little black ants can have moderate up to large populations. There can be one or more queens in a single colony. From June to August, there are many little black ants with wings when time mating happens. After mating, females, and males shed their wings. Then, the males die soon after mating.
Where do Little Black Ants Live
Little black ants dwell in areas of southern Canada, Mexico, and the United States. These ants are also widespread in an industrial and urban environment.
Getting Rid Of Little Black Ants
If you want to get rid of little black ants, you can apply the following tips.
Liquid Insecticides
You can use sprays to get rid of little black ants. It can also be an effective spot treatment in getting rid of fire ants. You can spray ants nesting on crevices, cracks, wall voids, and baseboards. However, keep in mind that sprays are not a long-term solution for getting rid of little black ants.
Baits
Another way to get rid of little black ants is the use of ant baits. As the ants take the bait, they will carry it to their nest. So, you can kill the colony of the ants. In addition, it can also stop them from searching for an alternative source of food.
Dusts
You may also use dusts as ant contact killer. You can puff the dusts on the area where you suspect a nest.
Hire a professional pest-control company
One of the most effective ways to get rid of little black ants is to seek help from a professional pest control company. With them, you can make sure that you can eliminate these pests that are a nuisance in your home or outdoors. They have the best techniques and equipment to help you get rid of these pests.
A professional pest control service may also give you recommendations like discarding firewood, decaying wood, and other property debris. If you’re not sure how to handle little black ants infestation, leave it to the experts.
If you want to get rid of little black ants fast and safely, you can follow these tips.
Prevention of Little Black Ants
Now that you learned how to get rid of little black ants, it is also helpful to know how to prevent them. The following are some tips to avoid little black ants infestation.
- Keep trash sealed at all times, taking it out periodically.
- Vacuum, mop, and sweep regularly.
- Clean the dirty dishes in your sink.
- Seal your exterior walls’ cracks, gaps, and holes.
- Regular plant treatment for aphids.
- Keep your trees trimmed and lawn mowed to stop them from touching the sides of a house.
- Prevent sprinklers sprays on a foundation or home’s sides.
- Remove firewood and other debris in a yard that may touch the house’s sides.
Is the little black ant problem serious?
Little black ants usually live in colonies. These ants also have more than one queen. Well, it can lead to bigger infestations and colonies. Even though they come with stingers, they are harmless. However, they can still bother you, especially if they get in huge numbers and begin eating your food. Additionally, they can also carry bacteria since they crawl anywhere.
Inspecting For A Little Black Ant Infestation
As you spot ants, there is a possibility of a little black ant infestation near you. Even though they have a nest outdoors, they can still invade your home. Thus, little black ants can enter your house to search for water and food.
You can also find little black ant trails in bathrooms and kitchens. So, make sure to check home areas where food or moisture can accumulate, like sinks, cabinets, and counters. If you don’t want the infestation to worsen, take action today to eliminate little black ants in your area.
Conclusion
Little black ants can be a nuisance in your home. Just what we mentioned earlier, they may eat your foods and leave trails in any area of your home. So, you need to know how to get rid of little black ants. With the help of this post, we hope you learned about little black ants and how to take control of them.
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