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Pavement Ants

Learn More About Pavement Ants

Pavement ants earned their name because they nest in cracks in driveways and under sidewalks, piling the resulting dirt in a mound on top of the pavement. These ants are found throughout the Eastern United States and Upper Midwest part of the country. A typical colony of pavement ants includes multiple queens and numerous workers. Pavement ants will feed on a wide variety of foods, including meats, grease, live and dead insects, seeds and honeydew from aphids. They prefer to eat greasy foods and can eat most foods consumed by humans.

Pest Identification

Size

1/8 – 1/4 in.

Color

Dark brown

Body Structure

Head, abdomen, and thorax with two spines on pedicel and stinger at end of the thorax.

Characteristics

Generally slow-moving. New colonies are formed in the Spring when winged pavement ants, or “swarmers,” mate and reproduce.

Habitat & Behavior

Colonies tend to nest near sidewalks or pavement, hence the name. Presence of nests can be evidenced by soil mounds found between sidewalk cracks or near the edge of the pavement. They also can nest in hollow concrete block foundation walls or beneath concrete slab foundations. Outdoors, pavement ants feed on honeydew and dead insects. Indoors, they tend to seek out sugary or greasy items and can be detected by trails of worker ants searching for food.

Commonly Active

Spring / Summer

Prevention & Treatment

Pavement ants tend to be drawn by fatty or sugary foods; so, keeping food preparation and dining areas free from food debris is a good step toward preventing infestation. Although not particularly aggressive, pavement ants may bite and sting if provoked. Also, locating pavement ant colonies is difficult, even though their mounds often are clearly visible on sidewalks and near home foundations. Therefore, it is recommended that a pest control professional inspect infested areas in order to locate and treat the true colony location.

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