What are Pavement Ants?

Pavement ants are small, dark brown to black ants that are commonly found across British Columbia. They usually measure about 2.5 to 3 millimeters in length and are often noticed when they create small mounds of soil along sidewalks, driveways, patios, or building foundations. Pavement ants get their name from their preference for nesting under pavement, stones, and concrete slabs. Inside homes, they are most often seen in kitchens, basements, and near sources of food and moisture.

Signs of Pavement Ant Infestation

• Small piles of displaced soil or sand along sidewalks, driveways, or foundation cracks
• Trails of small dark ants moving in lines to food sources
• Ants foraging indoors in kitchens, pantries, or garbage areas
• Increased activity during spring and summer when colonies expand and swarm

Why They are a Problem

While pavement ants are not known to cause structural damage like carpenter ants, they are still considered a nuisance pest. They invade homes in search of food, often contaminating pantries, pet food, and kitchen surfaces. Pavement ants feed on sweets, grease, and proteins, making them highly attracted to crumbs, spills, and improperly stored food. Their swarming behavior during the warmer months can also alarm homeowners, and large outdoor colonies can be difficult to control without professional help.

Where Do They Come From?

Pavement ants usually nest outdoors under sidewalks, driveways, stones, and building foundations. They enter homes through cracks in concrete, gaps around doors and windows, or utility lines. Once inside, they seek out food and water sources, often building satellite colonies near kitchens or basements. Their ability to travel long distances to forage makes infestations persistent and hard to fully eliminate without targeting the colony.

How to Get Rid of Pavement Ants at Home

If you are looking for how to get rid of pavement ants, here are some practical steps you can take:

• Place ant bait stations along foraging trails so workers carry bait back to the nest
• Keep food sealed in airtight containers and wipe up spills immediately
• Vacuum or sweep regularly to remove crumbs and food particles
• Seal cracks in foundations, walls, and around windows or doors to block entry points
• Trim vegetation away from the foundation to limit nesting sites near the home

Surface sprays or repellents are not recommended because they often only kill visible ants and may cause colonies to split. Baits are more effective because they target the colony itself.

Pavement Ants vs Carpenter Ants

Homeowners often compare pavement ants vs carpenter ants since both are common in British Columbia. The key differences are:

• Pavement ants are much smaller, about 3 millimeters long, while carpenter ants can reach up to 13 millimeters.
• Pavement ants build soil mounds outdoors and forage indoors for food, while carpenter ants excavate wood to build nests.
• Pavement ants are a nuisance pest but do not damage structures, while carpenter ants can cause serious structural harm.

How We Can Help

At Go Away Pest & Wildlife Control, we specialize in eliminating pavement ants using proven methods that target both visible ants and hidden colonies. Our technicians identify nesting sites, inspect for entry points, treat active nests with professional-grade pesticides, and perform a thorough perimeter spray to reduce activity and prevent re-infestation. We also provide prevention strategies to help you keep ants away long-term. With our safe and effective treatments, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your home or business is protected from pavement ants