Crawling Pest

Pavement Ant Control

Small dark ants commonly found near sidewalks, driveways, and building foundations throughout the Chicagoland area.

Size

1/8 to 1/4 inch long

Color

Dark brown to black

Habitat

Under pavement cracks

Risk Level

Low to Moderate

one day of an ant
2-3mm
Average Size

Pavement Ant Identification

Learn how to identify pavement ants and distinguish them from other common ant species in the Chicagoland area.

Physical Features

  • 1/8 to 1/4 inch long (2.5-4mm)
  • Dark brown to black coloration
  • Parallel furrows on head and thorax
  • 12-segmented antennae with 3-segmented club
  • Two small spines on back of thorax

Behavior Patterns

  • Slow-moving compared to other ants
  • Most active during evening hours
  • Create small sand piles near cracks
  • Form trails to food sources
  • Aggressive toward other ant species

Infestation Signs

  • Small piles of sand or soil
  • Ant trails along pavement edges
  • Ants entering through foundation cracks
  • Small ants around food in kitchen
  • Increased activity during spring/summer

Habitat & Nesting

Pavement ants get their name from their preference for nesting under sidewalks, driveways, and building foundations. They create extensive underground colonies with multiple entrances.

These ants are commonly found throughout the northern United States and are especially prevalent in urban areas with concrete and asphalt surfaces.

Common Nesting Sites:

  • Under sidewalks and driveways
  • Along building foundations
  • Beneath concrete slabs
  • Inside wall voids near ground level

Prevention Tips

Structural Prevention

  • • Seal cracks in foundations and pavement
  • • Repair gaps around doors and windows
  • • Install weather stripping on entry points
  • • Remove vegetation touching the building

Sanitation

  • • Keep kitchens and dining areas clean
  • • Store food in sealed containers
  • • Clean up spills immediately
  • • Remove pet food after feeding

Professional Treatment Required

Pavement ant colonies can contain multiple queens and thousands of workers. Professional treatment is essential for complete elimination and long-term control.

Colony Location

We locate all nest sites for complete treatment

Targeted Treatment

Professional-grade baits and treatments

Follow-up Service

Monitoring and additional treatments as needed