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Pavement ants — sometimes called sugar ants — are one of the common types of ants in North America and a primary reason that people call an ant exterminator. While not native to North America, these ants have thrived thanks to the copious amount of pavement we have put on the ground. Their name comes from the fact that one of their favorite places to build nests is under pavements, and they’re so noticeable because of the mounds of sand that they bring to the surface and leave as hills.

Pavement ants tend to be rather small, usually only around ⅛-inch long. Their color ranges from dark brown to black with grooves on the head and thorax. If you see hundreds (or thousands) of these ants on the sidewalk or in the grass, it’s very likely that you’re seeing an ant battle. These colonies of ants wage war on other pavement ant colonies in an effort to take over their space, so the worker ants head to battle and hundreds end up littered on the sidewalk. Even though all of these ants might look the same to use, ants can tell each other apart due to the pheromones they produce.

What’s Wrong With Pavement Ants

Why do people call a pavement ant exterminator? After all, they don’t bite like fire ants or chew through the frame of a house like carpenter ants. There are two primary reasons that Massachuttes homeowners want to get of pavement ants. First, pavement ants like to live under driveways and sidewalks leading up to houses, which means that they’ll often find their way into garages and houses. Second, when pavement ants dig their tunnels — which can be up to 4 square yards — all of that dirt and sand is carried to the surface. This can create hollow spaces under concrete pads, allow water in, and create foundation problems. 

If you have noticed pavement ants in or around your home, you might want to give pest control services a call. Safety Fumigant is ready to be your pavement ant exterminators.