black "stuff" on window sill - Ask Extension
We just found a pile of black stuff near on our window sill. I have seen an ant or two crawling among the pile. I looked at some of the individual pie...
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black "stuff" on window sill #650329
Asked June 13, 2020, 11:38 AM EDT
We just found a pile of black stuff near on our window sill. I have seen an ant or two crawling among the pile. I looked at some of the individual pieces that comprise the pile under a hand-lens and some seem to include insect body parts--I found a remnant of a tiny wing and some other body parts. I looked at the window from the outside and there is no viable infestation of anything. Any ideas of what this is?
Thanks for your assistance!
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi - There is an ant called an acrobat ant that kicks out material (debris) and excavates soft wet areas. Acrobat ants like to inhabit damp wood, compromised wood (that has been wet and is now soft and/or rotten), and insulation. If so, you need to correct the moisture problems that are probably wetting the wood structure of your house. What is above this area? Check for leaks.
Also, Check the area at night for any activity. You can put out ant baits that contain borax and a sweetener to see if they are attracted to it. Here is more information on our webpage, https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/ants
Christa
Also, Check the area at night for any activity. You can put out ant baits that contain borax and a sweetener to see if they are attracted to it. Here is more information on our webpage, https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/ants
Christa
Thanks! We put out bait traps and that seems to have resolved the issue.
Thanks! We put out bait traps and that seems to have resolved the issue.
