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How to Get Rid of Rover Ants Naturally

Rover ants like to hang out near humans. These ants haven’t always been a problem, but in the last few years they have become more prevalent. Rover ants primarily nest in yards but will march into homes looking for something to eat. We’ve gathered information about rover ants to help you identify and get rid of these pests.

How do You Identify Rover Ants?

Rover ant
Rover ants, often referred to as dark rover ants, vary in color from pale yellow to dark brown or black. They have an uneven shaped body and their thorax has a hump-like appearance. These ants measures between 1/16ʺ-1/12ʺ in length. Unlike most ant species, rover ant antennae have nine segments instead of twelve. Colonies have one queen and are smaller with hundreds to a few thousand ants.

Where do You Find Rover Ants?

Rover ants prefer to spend their time outdoors. They nest in soil, rotting wood, leaf litter, mulch, and potted plants. These ants love moisture and are often seen near swimming pools or over-watered gardens. If conditions become too hot outside, they have no problem sneaking into homes. Rover ants typically nest in wall voids and are spotted in bathrooms and kitchens. These ants roam around in southern states.

Rover Ants

How Did Rover Ants Get in My Home?

Rover ants enter homes looking for food, moisture, and shelter. They love sweet treats including honeydew produced by aphids and mealybugs. Rover ants also eat protein and feed on insects and meat. If they can find a food source in your home, they won’t be quick to leave. These ants sneak inside through cracks and gaps.

Is a Rover Ant Problem Serious?

Rover ants don’t bite or sting. They won’t cause structural damage since they don’t eat wood. While these ants aren’t dangerous, they can be a nuisance. Having hundreds of ants crawling around your space can be worrisome. These ants are often confused with other species, which can make it difficult to eliminate them.

Ant life cycle

How Do You Prevent Rover Ants?

One of the best ways to keep these ants out of your home is through preventative measures. We’ve made a list of tips to help keep rover ants away.

  • Minimize Moisture: Rover ant infestations are often associated with moisture. Repairing water leaks in your home and yard can help to prevent an infestation. Replace any water-damaged wood. Eliminate standing water indoors and outside.
  • Seal Entry Points: Seal any cracks or holes around your house. Make sure screens and weather-stripping are in good condition.
  • Remove Food Sources: Wipe up crumbs and spills. Keep the sink free of dirty dishes. Seal and remove trash. Keep your and your pet’s food stored in containers.
  • Keep Your Yard Clean: Trim trees and shrubs so they aren’t touching the side of your home. Mow your lawn regularly. Clean your gutters and ensure they work properly.
  • Create a Protective Barrier: Our plant-based Yard Bug Spray kills ants on contact and provides you with residual repellency. Spraying the perimeter of your yard can help to keep ants and other pests away.

How Do You Get Rid of Rover Ants?

Maggie's Farm Spider & Insect Dust, No Spill Ant Kill, Yard Bug Spray, Home Bug Spray

If rover ants move into your home, you’ll need to target the colony. Check out a few solutions to get rid of these ants.

Baits

Ant baiting can help to attack the source of an infestation. Foraging worker ants find the bait, eat it, and take some back to share with the colony. Rover ants are attracted to sweets, so a sugar-based bait can help. Our No Spill Ant Kill and our Ant Killer Bait can be used indoors or outside. Place bait near foraging trails close to the nest. Inside, you can place it in areas where you’ve seen ants. Rover ants are often seen in bathrooms and kitchens, so these rooms are a good place to start.

Sprays

Sprays can help you spot treat the ants you see. They are effective when dealing with a few ants. Our plant-based Ant & Roach Killer spray kills rover ants and other species of ants. It also has repellent properties that help to keep ants away. It’s important to remember that you don’t want to spray insecticides near bait. This can deter ants from eating the bait.

Dusts

Insecticide dusts can also help to get rid of rover ants. If you can locate the nest, carefully apply our plant-based Spider & Insect Dust. You can apply dust in wall voids, along baseboards, under furniture, cabinets, and appliances. Focus on areas where you have seen ant activity. When undisturbed, dust can provide you with long-lasting protection.

An ant infestation can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to let these pests bug you. Taking the steps to bug-proof your home and correctly identifying an infestation can help keep these pests away. If you’re dealing with an ant problem, we’re here to help! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products for a more environmentally and family-friendly solution.

 


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