Pavement Ant

Category:

Actual Size: 1/16″ to 1/8″

Characteristics: Light to dark brown to blackish; dark parallel lines run down the head and thorax.

Legs:

Antennae: Yes

Wings: The reproductive males and females have wings.

Habitat: Nests are located in open soil or under stones and pavement, masonry or wood, near sidewalks, patios, and driveways. 

Habits:

  • Attracted to greasy and sweet foods.
  • New colonies are established after mating flights in mid-summer. 
  • Construct nests beside and under sidewalks, driveways, and foundations.

Pavement Ants in Baton Rouge

Nesting beside and under sidewalks, driveways, and foundations, pavement ants are common throughout Louisiana. When constructing nests, they pile the dirt removed from the nest in a mound on top of pavements and driveways. New colonies are established after mating flights in June and July. As household pests, these ants are attracted to both greasy and sweet foods. Common in urban environments, pavement ants are incredibly small but can become a big nuisance for homeowners and business owners.

Pavement Ant Habitat

True to their name, pavement ants are most often found under or near sidewalks, patios, and driveways. Their nests are located in the soil in the open or under stones and pavement, masonry or wood. Pavement ant nests generally occur at ground level and workers use pipes or wires to move upward. In commercial buildings, they often become an issue when the alates or reproductives emerge from openings in walls above false ceilings, then drop into the rooms below. Although they thrive outdoors in warm weather, during winter, pavement ants are more likely to be found in homes near a heat source, such as a radiator or heating duct. 

Pavement Ant Behaviors, Threats or Dangers

Pavement ants are nuisance pests and cause unsightly piles of sand on driveways, patios, sidewalks, or in basements. These ants can bite and they do have a stinger, but they rarely bite humans. Even though they don’t present a public health risk, they contaminate food as they forage. Scavenging for any kind of edible crumb, these tiny ants will invade buildings to find food resources for their substantial colonies. If you suspect a pavement ant infestation, it is recommended to contact a professional ant exterminator. 

Don’t wait until your home is overrun by ants. Contact Dugas Pest Control today!