During the summer, tiny black ants often appear inside and around Maryland homes. They show up because warm weather speeds up their breeding cycles and increases their search for food.
You may try store-bought baits or traps. However, these usually work only for a short time because they target individual ants, not the colony.
The most effective approach to ant control is twofold: prevention and extermination. Prevention keeps ants from entering your home. Extermination removes existing colonies when infestations grow too large to manage.
The first step is understanding why ants are entering and how they are drawn to your space. Knowing their sources and food triggers helps you block access points and remove what attracts them.
Here’s what you need to know about tiny black ants and how to keep them out of your home.
What Are Those Tiny Black Ants?
Tiny black ants, technically called Monomorium minimum, are very small black ants that are commonly seen in and around homes, especially during the warmer months.
Tiny black ant colonies range in size from moderate to very large and contain many queens. Their lifespan can range from several months to a year, with queens typically living longer than worker ants.
Because of their small size—typically 1.5 to 2 mm in length—these ants are able to infiltrate homes through the tiniest of cracks, making them persistent invaders. Colonies may also split into satellite nests, which makes complete elimination difficult without professional treatment.
Why Are There So Many Tiny Black Ants in My Home?
While seeing the occasional tiny black ant or two in your home isn’t inherently a sign of a dirty home, if you are seeing a lot of them regularly, you may want to take a look at what is causing them.
Improper food storage is the most common reason for a tiny black ant infestation, and you may notice more of them between June and August, which is when they forage for food.
These ants enter homes through tiny cracks and crevices, as well as pipes and any other way they can make their way inside. Once these tiny black ants invade your home, they can be extremely difficult to get rid of, and more will typically reappear even after you’ve killed the other ones.
What Are Tiny Black Ants Attracted To?
Tiny black ants are opportunistic feeders and are attracted to:
- Sugary foods such as soda, fruit, honey, and baked goods
- Greasy or oily residues left behind on counters or stovetops
- Proteins like meat scraps or pet food
- Standing water from leaky faucets, damp sinks, or spilled drinks
Even the smallest crumbs or drops of liquid can be enough to attract a trail of ants. Because they forage constantly, once one scout ant finds a food source, it leaves behind a pheromone trail that brings many more into your home.
Where Are Tiny Black Ants Found?
Tiny black ants can be found indoors and outdoors if you know where to look. Here are some common places you’ll spot those tiny black ants and their pheromone trails:
- Indoors: Kitchens, pantries, bathrooms, behind baseboards, and near sinks or drains
- Outdoors: Under rocks, in soil, beneath logs, and around the foundation of homes
- Hidden nesting spots: Wall voids, insulation, and cracks in masonry
Their colonies are highly adaptable, and once they establish multiple nesting sites, they can spread throughout different areas of the home.
How to Prevent Tiny Black Ants
The best way to manage ants is through careful preventative measures. With some simple and free tips, your house can be ant-free in no time. Here are a few ideas to start implementing at your home.
- Properly store food and drinks in sealed, airtight containers
- Avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink
- Keep all garbage cans sealed, and take trash outside when it becomes full
- Seal any cracks and crevices in the home with caulk
- Store firewood away from the home
- Trim shrubbery outside of the home
How to Eliminate Tiny Black Ants
Dealing with a tiny ant infestation can be frustrating as ants are actually one of the hardest insects to eliminate on your own. If you find yourself dealing with a tiny black ant infestation, here are a few ways to get rid of them:
- Set up ant bait & traps around your home
- Make a DIY ant-repellent spray using peppermint essential oil and water
- Pour boiling water into ant hills to kill the ants inside
- Spray vinegar and water on ant trails to repel and kill them
Learn More: 7-Point Foolproof Plan to Get Rid of Ants in Maryland
Should I Call an Exterminator for Tiny Black Ants?
Whenever you’re dealing with any infestation, your best bet is to contact a trusted pest control professional as soon as possible.
An experienced exterminator will be able to inspect your home, determine the size and severity of the infestation, and recommend a course of treatment to safely and effectively kill all of the ants in your home.
Professional-grade baits and targeted treatments can eliminate not only the visible ants but also hidden colonies that are difficult for homeowners to reach.
FAQs
Why are tiny black ants attracted to my house?
Tiny black ants may be attracted to your home for a number of reasons, with the biggest being improper food storage. If ants are able to make their way into your home and find any food or drinks that have been left out or improperly stored, they are more likely to stick around.
Do tiny black ants bite?
Yes, little black ants can bite if they feel threatened. However, these bites are typically not painful and do not cause any bad reactions in those bitten, as they do not possess any venom.
Are tiny black ants harmful or dangerous?
While dealing with a tiny black ant infestation can definitely be bothersome, these pests are not typically harmful or dangerous to humans or pets. However, it is still important to do your due diligence when it comes to getting rid of them and keeping them out of your home for good.