A Guide to Household Black Ants

If you suspect rover ants have moved in, the best first step is to contact a local pest control professional. They can identify the ant species and implement an effective treatment plan.

A Guide to Household Black Ants

There are thousands of known ant species, but when it comes to ants in your home, rover ants are the most commonly found species in Central Texas homes.

These ants can become an annoyance to homeowners, especially when you’re dealing with a large infestation. It’s helpful for homeowners to understand key details about these ants, so they can identify what kind of ant infestation they’re dealing with and take proper action. 

Rover Ant Appearance

Rover ants are small, fast-moving ants that typically measure about one-sixteenth of an inch long. Their bodies are dark brown to black and have a slightly uneven appearance when viewed from the side. Rover ants tend to move in a kind of jittery way. Though small, these ants can be identified by their shiny appearance and irregular movement.

Rover Ant Behavior

Rover ants are commonly found indoors near moisture sources, such as bathrooms, kitchens or under sinks. They don’t chew wood or cause structural damage like carpenter ants, but they are foragers. These ants are especially drawn to sweet or greasy foods and can often be seen trailing along baseboards, counters or walls.

These ants tend to nest in wall voids, under floors, behind baseboards or even outdoors in mulch, potted plants or beneath stones. Their colonies are smaller compared to other ant species, but they can still be a nuisance. If you’re noticing fast-moving black ants in your home, there’s a good chance they’re rover ants. A pest control professional can identify the ants and implement a treatment plan to control the infestation. They can also help if you notice you have ants in your dishwasher.

Why Do I Suddenly Have Black Ants in My House?

Rover ants often show up out of nowhere, and once they do, they can be tough to get rid of. Like most ants, they come indoors looking for food, water and shelter. If they find what they need, they’ll likely stick around and start building a colony inside your home.

These ants are especially drawn to tiny crumbs, spills and food residue, which is why you’ll often spot them in kitchens or bathrooms. They have a strong sense of smell, so even a small crumb or spill is enough to draw them in.

To keep rover ants from settling in, you can take some steps to deter them. These include:

• Wiping up crumbs and spills quickly
• Not leaving dirty dishes out overnight
• Storing pantry items in sealed, airtight containers
• Fixing any leaky pipes or faucets, and drying off damp areas around sinks or appliances

Rover ants are small and sneaky, so they can squeeze through tiny cracks in your foundation or gaps around windows. They’re also known to set up shop in areas such as baseboards, behind tiles or near areas with high moisture like bathrooms. Other times, you’re more likely to find ants in your carpet.

If rover ants have already moved onto your property, a pest control professional can help identify their nesting sites and put together a treatment plan to control them.

Kick Ants Out of Your Home With Help From The Pros

Whether you have rover ants or another species of ants in your home like pharaoh ants and fire ants, these pests can quickly become a nuisance.

When it comes to ants in your home, it’s important to take action quickly. Contact an expert who can control the entire colony and put in prevention methods to deter them from coming back.

Chem-Free Can Treat the Ants on Your Property

Trying to control an ant problem while also taking into account your kids and pets can be difficult. When you contact Chem-free Pest Control, you can have peace of mind that we will create a custom pest control solution that keeps all of your family members in mind.