What could cause these large black piles? - Ask Extension
Hello I’ve attached a photo of what looks like black ant pile. Are you able to identify? Any suggestions on how to eliminate? Thank you!
Knowledgebase
What could cause these large black piles? #803160
Asked July 26, 2022, 3:08 PM EDT
Hello
I’ve attached a photo of what looks like black ant pile. Are you able to identify? Any suggestions on how to eliminate?
Thank you!
Boulder County Colorado
Expert Response
Dear Carolyn,
I am sending a link for a article about ants that should be helpful. I'm not able to identify the ant that may have created the black pile in the picture but the article might be of help. If you have more questions please let us know.
I am sending a link for a article about ants that should be helpful. I'm not able to identify the ant that may have created the black pile in the picture but the article might be of help. If you have more questions please let us know.
I don’t see the link you were going to send.
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
On Jul 28, 2022, at 10:32 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Dear Carolynn,
I apologize for that failure.
In some parts of the country there are ants that pose a danger to humans and pets but we're fortunate not to have those types. Unless you are seeing a large number of ant hills or notice that the ants may be harming your lawn grass or ornamental plantings I would not feel like you need to resort to chemicals for controlling them. Ants can sometimes be a problem indoors and there are measures for controlling them inside.
If you decide to use chemical control to treat the areas I would suggest using preparations to spot treat the hills. Using chemicals in a broader area could be harmful to beneficial insects as well and there are protections to follow to protect children and pets. The link I'm sending is written for problems with ants invading homes but if you scroll down you'll see a paragraph on pavement ants.
Here is the link:
Ants in the Home - 5.518 - Extension (colostate.edu)
I apologize for that failure.
In some parts of the country there are ants that pose a danger to humans and pets but we're fortunate not to have those types. Unless you are seeing a large number of ant hills or notice that the ants may be harming your lawn grass or ornamental plantings I would not feel like you need to resort to chemicals for controlling them. Ants can sometimes be a problem indoors and there are measures for controlling them inside.
If you decide to use chemical control to treat the areas I would suggest using preparations to spot treat the hills. Using chemicals in a broader area could be harmful to beneficial insects as well and there are protections to follow to protect children and pets. The link I'm sending is written for problems with ants invading homes but if you scroll down you'll see a paragraph on pavement ants.
Here is the link:
Ants in the Home - 5.518 - Extension (colostate.edu)
