Did You Know
Pavement Ant
Ants—Pavement
Size
Workers are typically about 1/16” – 1/8” long, and queens are about 3/8” in length.
Color
The pavement ant has a body that is brown to black with paler legs and antennae.
Where
Pavement ants were introduced from Europe by the early colonists. They are found in most of the eastern half of the United States and in California and Washington.
Habitat
Inside, pavement ants will occasionally nest in walls, in insulation, and under floors. The most likely place is in ground-level masonry walls of the foundation and especially near some heat source in the winter. They often follow pipes which come through slabs for access to upper floors of buildings.
Diet
These ants feed on almost anything including insects, honeydew, seeds, plant sap, and household foods such as meats, nuts, cheese, honey and bread, but show a preference for meats and grease.
Biology
Development time for the pavement ant ranges from 36 to 63 days. Winged reproductives appear outside primarily in June and July, but may emerge anytime inside including during the winter months.
Control
1. Location of the nest(s) and its treatment with a residual is ideal; try following back from the food source.
2. Dust in the voids of outside ground-floor walls, treatment of cracks in the slab with a residual, and barrier treatment is the control.
3. Inject a high pressure aerosol (160 psi) into the entrance/exit opening in the crack expansion joint of a concrete floor. This is very effective.
4. Baiting may also be necessary.
