Pavement Ants

What do pavement ants look like? 

Pavement ants are dark brown to black and are about 1/8 of an inch long. They have a segmented body with spines on their back and grooves on their head and thorax. Their antennae comprise 12 segments with a three-segmented club at the end. Although tiny, these ants are identifiable by the small ridges on their head and thorax and the two nodes on their petiole—the narrow waist connecting the thorax and abdomen.

Where do pavement ants nest?

When these ants enter your yard, where will they establish their nests? True to their name, pavement ants commonly nest in pavement cracks. Here are a few other places you’ll find them nesting:

• In and along sidewalks.
• Under stones, bricks, or logs.
• Along driveways and building foundations.
• Beneath mulch or leaf litter.
• In open soil or lawns.

‍Indoors, they may establish nests in:

• Wall voids and insulation.
• Under floors and behind baseboards.
• Inside masonry walls.
• Beneath bathroom fixtures.

These ants prefer nesting in areas close to heat sources during colder months and may move their colonies indoors when outdoor conditions become unfavorable. Expect to see them cause more trouble as temperatures outdoors begin to cool off, and look for them near hot water pipes and other indoor heat sources.

Are pavement ants harmful?

Pavement ants are considered nuisance pests. They do not damage structures and are not known to transmit diseases to humans. However, they can contaminate food sources as they forage. While pavement ants can sting you, they aren’t likely to do so. They pose very little threat to humans and pets.

How do pavement ants get inside?

When these little insects explore your exterior, how might they get inside? They can enter structures through:

• Gaps and cracks in foundation walls.
• Openings around windows and doors.
• Spaces around pipes and utility lines.
• Vents and weep holes.
• Damaged weatherstripping and door sweeps.

Due to the small size of pavement ants, they can exploit even the tiniest openings. Once inside, they follow pheromone trails established by scout ants to food and water sources. If given enough incentive, they’ll establish an indoor nest.

What attracts pavement ants indoors?

Several factors can draw pavement ants indoors. Here are a few to consider:

‍Food sources: Pavement ants are attracted to sweets, proteins, greasy foods, and dead insects. Exterior pest and weed problems can bring them into your yard, and unsealed pantry items, crumbs on the floor, and pet food can all lure them indoors. 

‍Moisture: A gutter problem and other exterior moisture issues can bring them close to your exterior. Leaky pipes, a damp basement, and areas with high humidity can lure them indoors.

‍Shelter: Vegetation, logs, food sources, and other factors can attract them to your yard and draw them close to your exterior. Extreme outdoor temperatures, dry conditions, flooding, and other disturbances to their outdoor nests can drive them inside, seeking shelter. Workers may also get in by accident when they follow the pheromone trails of scout ants. They'll take shelter indoors if they find an appropriate indoor nesting site.

How do I get rid of pavement ants?

You may consider trying ant control products, but over-the-counter insecticides will only kill visible ants and not the colony. For the most effective treatment, contact got bugs? Termite & Pest Solutions. Our home pest control services are the ideal way to eliminate and prevent pavement ant infestations and are available for homeowners in Buckhead, Alpharetta, and throughout Metro Atlanta! 

How can I prevent a pavement ant infestation?

Preventing pavement ants involves proactive measures such as the following:

• Clean your floors and countertops, and remove food debris to prevent scout ants from gathering an army of worker ants.
• Keep all food, including pet food, in sealed containers.
• Use trash cans with tight-fitting lids and empty them frequently.
• Repair any leaks and ensure proper drainage outdoors.
• Regularly inspect and seal any cracks or openings in your exterior.
• Keep shrubs and tree branches trimmed away from your house, and avoid piling mulch against the foundation.

By reducing the factors that attract pavement ants, you can reduce the chance that ants will cause trouble or create an indoor nest. You may also consider a year-round pest control service plan for ongoing management of pest pressures and the effective exclusion of pests from interior spaces.