Water pipes are usually sealed to prevent leaks, so ants cannot enter the house inside the pipes. However, during times of drought you may see fire ants near water faucets in houses, where they are trying to obtain water.
You may see ants entering the house through the gap around pipes where they penetrate the slab or through cracks around fixtures in the foundation of the house. Ants can chew through caulk, so caulking these cracks will not prevent entry. The best approach is to treat fire ant mounds located close to buildings before ants can find ways to enter the building.
Related
- Managing Structure-Invading Ants (PB1629)
- California: How to Manage Pests series, Ants
- Texas: Managing Household Ant Pests
- PCT Field Guide for the Management of Structure-infesting Ants, S. Hedges. 1998, 2nd Edition. Franzak and Foster, Cleveland, OH 304 pp
- Managing Pests Around the Home (PB 1303)
- How to Pest-proof Your Home (EF 641)
- Key to Identifying Common Household Ants
Find more information about fire ants in eXtension's Imported Fire Ant Resource Area.
