A Closer Look at Pavement Ants

Pavement ants are one of the most common types of ants in our region. They get their name from their tendency to make their burrows under pavement and in sidewalk cracks. As some of the smallest ants we contend with—approximately one-eighth of an inch—it’s easy to live your life without noticing these tiny soldiers outside. Despite their name, pavement ants aren’t uncommon INSIDE your home. This is when we typically get called in. There are some important things to know about pavement ants, including both their diet and how to avoid having them make their way inside your home.

The pavement ant diet

In the wild, pavement ants will eat nearly anything. Some common, naturally occurring, food sources are things like fruit, nuts, seeds, honey, and tree sap. These can be found readily around your home without your knowledge. In some cases, their ability to remove these food sources can prevent a more dangerous pest, such as a wasp, from frequenting your property in search of such food sources.

Inside your home, however, pavement ants will seek out a much wider range of food sources. These can include fruit, sweets, bread, meat, nuts, dairy, grease, and even other insects! Spilled juice or milk? Pavement ants will seek out near-imperceptible spills in cracks and crevices. They can infest your walls. Even if they don’t do structural damage, as carpenter ants will do, these ants can be a real nuisance. 

Preventing pavement ants problems

There are a few steps you can take right now to prevent pavement ants from swarming your property—or worse, your home. 

• Thoroughly clean your floors, especially under less-traveled areas like the stove, dishwasher, and fridge. These areas will collect crumbs and spills unless they are being cleaned routinely.
• Fully empty your pantry and cabinets, removing any open containers. Transfer things like grains and oats to air-tight containers. Remove out of date foods.
• Seal and repair and cracks in your foundation. This is the number one pathway ants will use to enter your home.
• Treat the soil and bushes around your home’s foundations with an ant spray. Some over-the-counter sprays are better than others, be sure to utilize a spray that is safe for pets if you have them. AND…don’t overuse products!  Read the label and use as recommended otherwise, the ants will simply find a way around.
• When in doubt, call in a professional. Our technicians utilize a combination of material solutions and practical Integrated Pest Management techniques.

Keep pavement ants outside where they belong. Our team at Graduate Pest Solutions specializes in prevention. Call us at 413-566-8222 or contact us with any questions or if you are experiencing a pest problem. We have the knowledge and service necessary to help keep your home and workplace pest-free!