Pavement Ants

Pavement ants are one of the most common small ants invading homes in the Boston, Massachusetts area. They are small (about 1/8") and black or dark brown in color. Under a microscope or magnifying glass, one can see parallel lines or grooves on the head and thorax that vaguely resemble the pavement markings on a highway, which many exterminators say is the reason that they are called "pavement ants."

 

More likely, pavements ants are called such because they are frequently seen on concrete floors and patios, and they tend to live under cement, rocks, bricks, or paving stones. Pavement ants are foragers. The workers will wander about in search of food, and upon finding it, they lay down a chemical "pheromone trail" between the food source and the nest. Before long, hundreds or thousands of ants will follow the trail laid down by the first ant, and dutifully carry the food back to the colony.

In nature, pavement ants are harmless, and may even be beneficial in that they tend to scavenge on dead plant and animal matter. Sometimes, however, pavement ants will enter homes to find food. They can often be seen in groups numbering in the hundreds, picking up and carrying away food bits left on kitchen counters, dining room floors, etc. Because of their foraging habits, they may transmit filth and pathogens that they picked up elsewhere, and deposit it on food or food preparation surfaces.

 

Control of Pavement Ants

In determining the most effective treatment method, professional exterminators will first try to locate the nest and pinpoint the ants' travel routes. Depending on the specifics of a situation, the ants may be treated with baits, sprays, or dusts.

Economy Pest Control is an independent, family owned and operated, full-service pest control company serving the Greater Boston area. Presently in our third decade of local ownership, our goal is simple: We want to provide the highest quality professional pest control services, at the fairest possible price. For more information about how we can help you with pavement ants or any other pest problem, please contact us.