Types of Ants :: Pavement Ants :: Printer-Friendly Version
Ant Origin & Distribution
There is disagreement on the origin of pavement ants. Some experts believe they are of European or Asiatic origin while others believe they may be native to North America. They are commonly found across the Eastern United States, the Midwest, and parts of southern California, Washington and Nevada.
Ant Identification
Pavement ant workers within a colony are approximately 1/10" in length. They are dark brown ants and the workers are all the same size. The best identifying characteristic of this ant, the presence of numerous grooves on the head and thorax, can only be seen with a magnifying glass or lens. These ants very seldom bite or sting and are not considered a medical pest. However, they can become severe nuisance pests because of their habits and potential large numbers.
Ant Biology
Pavement ants are appropriately named, as they will commonly nest near or in cracks of pavement, along curbing or in soil beneath stones. In infested areas, pavement ant nests can be found outdoors under stones, logs, boards, cardboard, firewood, bricks, pavers, patios, etc. These ants can also nest in mulch and landscaping beds. When in soil, their nest openings will be shaped in the form of a small crater. During winter months, nests may be more common near heating sources such as sub-slabs.
Colonies of pavement ants can contain thousands of workers and multiple queens within the same colony. As with other ants, pavement ant colonies will produce and maintain brood (eggs, larvae and pupae). Often, brood can be seen being carried by the ants along the trails. Pavement ant colonies can swarm multiple times during the year, but most swarms normally occur during spring. Unfortunately, these ants may swarm at the same general time as subterranean termites, leading to confusion in identification. pest control professionals or county or state extension specialists can positively identify swarmers of pavement ants, as they have grooves on their head and thorax. Swarms can occur from a colony over an extended time period due to weather conditions. If flying pavement ants (swarmers) are found inside, it is important to check soil adjacent to the exterior foundation walls of the structure.
Ant Habits
Pavement ants are heavy trailing ants and commonly form obvious trails to and from food. They may enter buildings from exterior penetrations. Slab cracks, weep holes, utility penetrations, poorly sealed thresholds and windowsills are areas that can allow access to the inside. Inside buildings, these ants can be found trailing along baseboards and under carpet near walls. Lifting carpet near exterior walls and checking for slab cracks or joints can help in determining access points. Pavement ants will feed upon a wide variety of food sources such as dead insects, greases, sweets, plant saps and seeds. Sweets can include honeydew which are secretions produced by plant feeding insects. Indoors, these ants can feed upon meats, nuts, cheeses, honey, and bread. At times they will prefer meats and greases. These ants can also be found feeding upon pet foods.
Ant Control
If you think you might have a pavement ant infestation in your home, it's imperative that you contact a certified and licensed pest control professional
to inspect the situation and confirm identification. Experts will advise against do-it-yourself options, as it is much more efficient and cost-effective to have a trained set of eyes identify the correct ant species and recommend effective treatment options specific to an individual infestation. Improper do-it-yourself options may result in killing a few ants, while the rest of the colony simply relocates to other areas around and inside the structure.