Pavement ants are small, measuring about 1/8 inch long, with a dark brown to blackish body and pale yellowish-brown legs and antennae. A close look reveals fine parallel grooves running lengthwise on their head and thorax, along with a pair of small spines at the back of the thorax, features that distinguish them from similar-sized ants once you’re looking closely. Their common name comes from their strong preference for nesting beneath hard, flat surfaces.
In Los Angeles and Orange County, pavement ants are frequently found nesting under sidewalks, driveways, patios, and along concrete slab foundations, often revealing themselves through small mounds of loose soil pushed up through cracks and expansion joints. They readily forage indoors as well, entering through gaps around slab foundations, door thresholds, and utility penetrations in search of food, and are commonly seen trailing along baseboards in kitchens or garages, particularly in homes built directly on concrete slabs, which are common throughout the region.
Pavement ants are mainly a nuisance and sanitation concern. They don’t sting, and bites are rare and generally mild, but large trailing populations can contaminate food in pantries and kitchens, and colonies nesting beneath walkways or patios can gradually contribute to small heaving or cracking of soil beneath pavement over time. Multiple colonies nesting close together sometimes engage in visible “ant wars,” with large numbers of dead and struggling ants appearing on driveways or sidewalks, which understandably alarms homeowners even though it’s a natural territorial behavior.
Guarantee Pest Control has helped Southern California homeowners manage pavement ants since 1958, and we know how common slab-foundation homes make this pest throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. Our technicians will inspect your property, locate nesting sites beneath pavement and foundations, and recommend a treatment plan to reduce indoor activity. We offer eco-friendly Guarantee Green options, a 3-month guarantee on most services, free estimates, and no-penalty cancellation. Call 1-800-507-3787 or request a free estimate at /get-a-quote/.