Pavement Ants

Pavement ants are the familiar foraging ant species we commonly see on sidewalks, driveways, and in parking lots. Their name comes from the fact that species in North America tend to nest in or next to the pavement.

In early spring, Pavement ants will attempt to invade and conquer adjacent ant colonies. This can result in frantic sidewalk battles between hundreds or thousands of ants at a time.

What do Pavement ants look like?

Pavement ants are a deep brown/red color. They are distinguished from any other ant species by grooves on the head and thorax, a pair of spines on the back, and two nodes (bumps) on the petiole (the ‘waist’ of the ant).

Where would I find Pavement ants?

Pavement ants nest in and underneath the pavement, most often concrete and asphalt sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots. They will also nest under/next to building foundations.

Pavement ants are foragers and will create trails of workers between the nest and food, making their nest easy to discover.

Pavement ants will go indoors in order to find food and can be found in the kitchen, bathroom, and on any openings between building floors. Workers will scale pipes and electrical wires in order to move up or down a floor in a building in search of food.

What do Pavement ants eat?

Pavement ants will eat almost anything, including insects, seeds, honeydew, honey, bread, meats, nuts, ice cream, and cheese

Are Pavement ants dangerous?

Pavement ants are docile and are not easily disturbed by their food-fetching activities. While they have the ability to sting, it is no more than an irritant to a human. As always, if more serious symptoms result from a Pavement ant bite, seek medical attention.