Pavement Ant

Pest Description

• 1/10 - 1/8 inch long; light to dark brown with fine grooves lining the head and thorax (middle body section)
• two nodes (bumps between middle and rear body sections)
• legs and antennae lighter than the rest of the body
• worker ants of one size

Host Plants, Diet & Damage

• prefer greasy and protein materials such as meats, pet food, sweets, bread, nuts and insects
• nests often located outdoors under stones, pavement cracks, wood, next to buildings and under building foundations
• swarms and mounds can be unsightly and alarming
• can infest gardens and other outdoor areas
• nuisance pest indoors and outdoors

Biology, Life Cycle & Damaging Life Stage

• one queen per colony
• characteristically produce small mounds at nest entrances
• typically swarm in spring after rain; can swarm indoors
• adult workers are the damaging stage

IPM Recommendations

• If the nest can be located, directly drench the shallow nest with an appropriately labeled insecticide.
• Use liquid insecticidal bait stations.