Pavement ants are tiny, about 1/8 of an inch long, with dark brown to black bodies. Their most distinct features—parallel grooves on their head and thorax and two nodes between their thorax and abdomen—are hard to spot without magnification. But if you look closely, these details set them apart from other common ants.
Pavement ants aren’t picky. Outside, they consume insects, honeydew, nectar, seeds, and plant juices. Inside your home, they’ll scavenge for anything edible—sugary foods like honey and jelly, greasy crumbs, pet food, and even garbage. If it's food, they’ll eat it, whether it’s in your pantry or your trash can.
Yes, but it’s usually nothing to worry about. Pavement ants can bite and sting, but their bite is mostly for gripping, and their sting is mild—especially compared to fire ants. While they rarely sting humans, those with allergies should take extra precautions.
As their name suggests, pavement ants love pavement. In nature, they nest under and alongside rocks. Around your home, they burrow into soil around driveways, walkways, sidewalks, foundations, and concrete slabs. Their excavating creates small crater-like mounds of displaced soil, a telltale sign of their presence.
One colony won’t cause much harm, but multiple colonies can weaken structures by removing soil beneath them over time. The biggest issue with pavement ants is their persistence—if left unchecked, they can spread and become a real nuisance.
Pavement ants have a knack for sneaking inside. Once a worker finds food, it leaves a scent trail for others to follow. That’s why one stray ant can quickly become a full-blown infestation, with hundreds swarming a forgotten snack or your pantry shelves.
Pavement ants are tiny, and they exploit every gap they can find. Common entry points include:
Professional pest control is the most effective solution if you want to eliminate pavement ants completely. DIY treatments often fall short because these ants are resilient and have multiple hidden nests. For relief from pavement ants and other pests in or around your Northern California home, contact Big Time Pest Control. We offer year-round solutions that exterminate and prevent bugs and rodents from taking over.
Preventing pavement ants requires a mix of exclusion, sanitation, and moisture control. To keep them out, seal foundation cracks, repair screens, improve weatherproofing, and use caulk to close gaps around pipes and utility lines.
To reduce outdoor attractants, eliminate standing water, seal trash bins, and switch to insect-resistant yellow bulbs for exterior lighting.
Inside, clean up spills and crumbs promptly, store pantry items in sealed containers, and vacuum and mop regularly.
Repair leaky faucets, pipes, and garbage disposals to address and prevent indoor moisture problems.
Consider a year-round pest control plan for long-term protection and hassle-free pest control. Contact us today to learn more about Guardian pest protection!
Martin is an asset to your company! He’s very friendly and thorough and very helpful with any questions or concerns that we might have. I am very satisfied with the service he provides. Thank you to Martin and Big Time!!!!
Wayne L.
Anderson, CA
Jamie from Big Time Pest Control is the "BEST!" He calls to let me know he is on his way. He listens to any bug/rodent concerns I have, then does a very thorough treatment of my entire property! Thank you Jamie and Big Time for training your team in such a thorough manner!
Cindy Lou B.
Anderson, CA
Matt is always very thorough and willing to answer questions. He’s also the first person our dog is willing to take treats from. My dog likes you, and you get rid of my ants—that’s a win-win in my book. Thanks, Matt!
Danielle C.
Mt. Shasta, CA
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