Black ant or garden ant (Lasius niger)

The terms black ant and black garden ant refer to the same species, Lasius niger. This common ant is found in many parts of the U.S. and is especially active in warmer months.

What are black ants?

Black ants are one of the most widespread ant species around homes and gardens. These ants often build nests in soil or under paving slabs, especially in sunny spots. You may notice black ants in house walls or near food sources, especially during warmer months. They can appear in large numbers, and spotting small black ants in your house, especially in kitchens, is a common concern for homeowners.

Their colonies can grow quite large, with worker ants foraging over long distances in search of food. These ants are drawn to sweet substances and will follow scent trails once a source is found.

The lifecycle of black ants

Like other ants, black ants follow a defined lifecycle that changes with the seasons, giving us a good indication of when activity is likely to increase. From late spring to late summer, colonies grow rapidly. 

• Queens overwinter in soil. Eggs are laid in late spring. Larvae hatch three to four weeks later.
• Larvae feed on secretions from the queen's salivary glands until the first worker ants emerge.
• Worker ants continue with larval care, nest building and food foraging.
• Fertile males are produced later in the season.

Seasonal behaviors of black ants

You’ll notice black ants in the house more often during warmer months. In spring, worker ants begin foraging for food. By summer, the colony is in full swing, and finding tiny black ants in kitchen areas may become common if food is left uncovered.

Black ants swarm mid to late summer during their mating season. Mating takes place in flight between queens and fertile males, and after mating, the males die. This is when you may see little black ants with wings swarming around windows or doors. These are reproductives—future queens and males—taking part in a mating flight.

Habitat and diet

Knowing where black garden ants live and what they eat can help with prevention. These ants are highly adaptable and quick to locate food inside the home. 

Inside homes, well-defined trails may appear along walls or across floors as foraging ants move to and from food sources. They're known to follow these paths consistently once a source is found.

Preferred environments of the black ant

Black ants prefer dry, warm spaces, favoring sunny locations. Their nests are often found outdoors in soil, often under sidewalks, driveways, and garden paths, or beneath paving slabs. You can sometimes spot a nest by the finely powdered soil that gathers around the small exit holes. Indoors, they may nest in house foundations, wall cavities, or behind appliances. Access to moisture and food makes kitchens and basements attractive to black garden ants, especially during warmer months or after rain.

What do black ants eat?

In natural settings, black ants feed on honeydew from aphids, which they actively protect to keep the supply going. Around homes, they are drawn to sugary spills, fruit, and food waste. They’ll also take high-protein items, especially when the colony is raising larvae. If you notice tiny black ants gathering on your kitchen counter, it’s likely food—particularly sweets or grease—is the main attraction.

Managing black ants

Finding black ants in your house can be frustrating, especially when they return after cleaning. Long-term management of ant problems involves targeting the source, not just the visible ants.  Sealing entry points and removing food attractants can help, but these are often only short-term fixes 

Preventing infestations

You can reduce the chance of black ants entering your home with a few simple steps:

• Clean up crumbs, spills, and food waste quickly
• Store food in airtight containers
• Seal cracks and entry points
• Remove garden debris near your home

For ongoing issues, our Presto-X technicians can help identify the source and suggest the right treatment plan.

Effective black ant control methods

The most effective way to manage black ant problems long-term is to treat the nest directly. Sealing entry points or cleaning up food debris may help reduce surface activity, but they rarely tackle the root of the problem. 

For long-term control, professional support is recommended. Our technicians are trained to identify the nest location and apply targeted treatments to help control the colony at its source.

And if you're seeing other ant species, like the fire ant, white footed ant, or argentine ants, our team can tailor the approach to suit the specific ant type and conditions on your property.

Frequently asked questions