Pavement ants build their nests in soil underneath paved or concrete surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks and patio slabs. 

Pavement ants leave tiny piles of soil or sand around the openings to their nests.

Most pavement ant colonies have multiple queens.

Pavement ants have a particular fondness for sweets.

Pavement ants feed on a variety of things, including insects, human food and waste. They are attracted to greasy or sugary foods, especially spills containing syrup, fruit juice or soft drinks.

Workers normally forage for food up to 10 meters or more from their nests, leaving chemical trails for others to follow. They tend to quickly congregate in large groups around food sources they encounter.

Pavement ants invade homes and businesses in the colder months as they seek warmth and food. They can enter through small cracks and crevices in foundations, floors, windows and doors.

Pavement ants are generally not aggressive and will not bite unless they are defending their nest. 

Their activity doesn’t normally cause significant structural damage, although they can be a nuisance around slab-on-grade concrete constructions. They can cause shifting in pavers, slabs and stone walkways as they dig out their colonies.

Pavement ants can also invade a kitchen or patio area in large numbers, making them a potential contamination hazard to food sources.

If you notice pavement ants on your property, give us a call. We’ll identify all nests and take steps to properly remove them.