Preventing Pavement Ants From Invading Your Roanoke Home

There are many species of ants that call Roanoke home. Some destroy wood, others spread dangerous diseases. Common home-invading ants that regularly get into homes and cause trouble are pavement ants. If you don’t know much about these pests but you do know that you don’t want them causing trouble inside or around your Roanoke home, we have one amazing tip to keep them away.

There are many species of ants that call Roanoke home. Some destroy wood, others spread dangerous diseases. Common home-invading ants that regularly get into homes and cause trouble are pavement ants. If you don’t know much about these invasive pests but you do know that you don’t want them causing trouble inside or around your Roanoke home, here are some things to consider, along with one amazing tip to keep them away.

What Are Pavement Ants?

Pavement ants are a local species of ants that prefer to build their nests beneath and around paved areas. If you see ant hills forming around your driveway, patio, or the foundation of your home, it’s safe to assume that you are dealing with pavement ants. This wouldn’t be too bad if it weren’t for these pests' propensity to find their way indoors. Once established outside of a home, pavement ants look for gaps, cracks, and other openings that will allow them access to interior areas. Once inside they will scavenge for food, water, and look around for places to expand their nest. It is not uncommon for pavement ants to build inside wall voids in order to stay warm through the colder months of winter. 

The Problems Pavement Ants Cause

Most species of ants cause problems with the way they invade homes and scavenge for food, water, and shelter. Only certain species cause more problems than this. Fortunately, pavement ants do not threaten homes with any form of destructive tendencies. They do, however, spread bacteria as they scavenge through trash and then over surfaces throughout homes. One harmful bacteria these pests can pick up and track around homes is salmonellosis. This dangerous organism lives inside uncooked meats such as chicken and pork, some vegetables, and eggs. 

Why DIY Fails With Pavement Ants

If you searched the internet for “prevention tips for pavement ants” you would find a whole lot of websites dedicated to DIY solutions. The problem is, not all DIY is effective. Many strategies are nothing more than snake oil to get you to buy expensive products. For this reason, we find it important to establish the dos and don’ts of ant control. To start, avoid pesticides as they can be dangerous to people and pets when used in the wrong amounts and/or in the wrong locations. We also recommend avoiding scent-based deterrents such as essential oils. Not only is this an expensive DIY, but it regularly fails to get the job done. Finally, do your best to avoid sticky traps and other temporary solutions as they only cull the problem and do not solve anything in the long run.

Here are a few DIY strategies our experts recommend.

• Seal gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation.
• Wipe down surfaces and vacuum carpets regularly.
• Store leftover food inside airtight containers.
• Address moisture issues in and around your home.
• Keep your grass and greenery trimmed.
• Make sure your window/door screens are in good condition.
• Use a dehumidifier indoors.
• Fix or replace water-damaged, rotting, or decaying structural wood around your home.

A Sure-Fire Solution To Ants

Keeping up with DIY ant prevention is not easy and sometimes proves ineffective. To make sure ants stay out of your living areas and off your property, we recommend letting our team help. At Star City Pest Control, we service homes using advanced treatments and industry-leading technologies to ensure they stay protected against pests like ants, year-round.

Contact our team now to find out more about our comprehensive options and schedule your Roanoke home for a detailed inspection.