PestDex Details
Pavement Ant
Tetramorium immigrans
crawler
Small brown ant that nests in cracks in pavement. Forms territorial mating swarms in spring.
How to Identify
- •Dark brown to black, ⅛ inch
- •Two nodes between thorax and abdomen
- •Parallel furrows on head and thorax
- •Piles of excavated soil at expansion joints
Where Found
Nests under pavement cracks, sidewalks, driveways, foundations. Trails indoors for sweets and grease. Every MD/VA/DC sidewalk potential nest site.
Seasonality
Mating swarms April–May (sidewalk battles between colonies). Forages spring–fall. Less active winter.
Health & Property Risk
Nuisance. Contaminates food but no structural damage or significant health threat. Sidewalk "ant wars" can be dramatic but harmless.
Prevention Tips
- •Seal cracks in foundation and pavement
- •Keep kitchen counters clean
- •Store food in sealed containers
- •Fix entry points around doors
- •Eliminate moisture sources
Treatment Notes
Gel bait and residual spray at entry points. Granular bait on pavement. Perimeter treatment. Seal cracks after control achieved.