Small black ants only have wings when mating. They can usually be observed swarming to mate from June to August. After they mate, the males and queens will shed their wings , and the males will die. The queens will seek out another place to create a new colony. Small black ant colonies usually have two or more queens that can produce several new nests during mating season. If you happen to see a whole swarm of small black ants inside your home, you will need to make sure that they are indeed ants and not termites.
A professional pest control agency will send out trained exterminators who can help you identify the pest and then implement a plan to address the problem and prevent future infestations.
The most effective way to kill small black ants is to use ant baits. When treating for small black ants inside, you will want to set the bait stations in corners next to baseboards, on countertops, and anywhere else they have been observed foraging. When treating for these pests outside, you can place the bait stations near the nest for better results.
Nests are often easy to locate. Whether inside or out, the ants will take this bait back to the rest of the colony, and it will eventually kill off all of the ants. It may take more work, but taking the time to execute a preventative plan against ants and other pests will be well worth the effort. Protecting your home and your family from the threat of an ant invasion is possible as long as you prepare ahead of time.
Ant Control Knowledge Center. Live Bug Free and Happy. Free Pest Control Quote. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. The ant bait is a poison that attracts the ants, which then carry the bait back to their nests. Bait traps will catch the ants on a sticky surface, eliminating them as they move around your home. Traps are safer for pets and children, but they take longer to work. For tips on using natural methods to repel ants, read on!
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Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article methods. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Method 1. Buy commercial ant bait. Using a commercial bait is a very effective way to kill black ants. Ants are attracted to the bait, which is a mixture of poison and a sweet substance.
The ants eat some bait and bring some back to the nest, where the rest of the colony is also exposed to the poison. Over the course of one or two life cycles, the ants will be destroyed. Place the bait traps in the affected areas. Follow the instructions on the packaging to get the bait traps ready, then place them on your countertops, in corners and in any other areas where you frequently see ants gather.
If possible, place a trap in front of an ant trail. Different types of bait traps require different preparation. Some traps require you to place a few drops of bait on pieces of cardboard, then place the cardboard around your house. Other traps simply require peeling back a plastic wrapper and setting out the traps. Wait a few days for the traps to work. Bait traps take a little longer to work than spraying and other methods of killing ants, but they are ultimately much more effective.
Over the course of a few days, the ants will carry the bait back to their nest and poison the rest of the colony. In the meantime, make sure your house is clean of other food sources so that the ants eat the bait, not crumbs or sticky spots in your kitchen.
Try spraying with a pesticide. If you want to make doubly sure the ants are gone for good, you can spray a pesticide as well. Purchase a store formula, mix up the contents based on the instructions, place the solution in a sprayer and spray the infested rooms. You may also apply the solution to the perimeter of your home to keep ants from coming inside. You can also purchase an aerosol spray to apply directly on the black ants.
These are usually indoor formulas that work well in areas like your kitchen. This method usually leads to immediate death so sweep up any dead ants and dispose of them properly. If you spray in an area that children or pets may be in, be sure to adequately wipe down and clean the area so no one gets sick from the spray.
The Little Black Ant is native to the United States and common throughout, however the heaviest populations are found in the eastern half of the country. Step 1 Find the Entry Point or Colony Little Black Ants are highly adaptable when it comes to nesting, and nests are commonly found both indoors and outdoors, in a variety of climates.
Little black ants prefer to make a home of decayed woods, but will also build nests in cement cracks, under stones, or in open lawns. When you first notice invading ants, they may form an obvious trail which you can easily follow to find exactly where the ants are entering. Within about two hours, the ants will locate the food source, and form a steady trail of workers to and from the colony to the food source. You should then be able to follow the trail visually to the point where the ants are entering.
This may be a crack in a baseboard, a doorframe, or window sill. Ideally, you will be able to follow the trail all the way to the ant colony. Step 2 Treat the Nest or Colony There are several ways to treat an ant colony, depending on its location. If you were unable to locate the colony, skip to step 3. Baiting is the most effective form of control for Little Black Ants. If the ants do not seem to be taking the bait, switch to a protein-based bait such as Advance A Select Granular.
It may take 3 to 5 days to see results with baiting, but it is almost always more effective than spraying indoors because the ants have time to take the bait back to their nests, which will eventually lead to colony elimination.
Be sure to read the product label for tips on usage, application rate, and bait placement, etc. If several weeks have show baiting to be unsuccessful, you may also want to treat the outside perimeter of your home with a liquid residual insecticide.
Treat at least a 3 foot band near the foundation as well as around window and door frames where ants enter to create your protective barrier. For perimeter application rates and mixing instructions, be sure to read the product label thoroughly. Most liquid residuals remain effective for 8 to 12 weeks.
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