Tetramorium immigrans
Ant
1/8 inch
Dark brown to black with paler legs
Queens 5 to 10 years, workers a few months
About the Pavement Ant
The pavement ant is the small brown ant commonly seen emerging from cracks in sidewalks, driveways, and patios throughout Michigan. Pavement ants are named for their habit of nesting under concrete slabs, paver stones, and asphalt. Colonies contain 3,000 to 10,000 workers with one queen.
Habits & Behavior
Pavement ants nest beneath concrete, asphalt, pavers, landscape stones, and building foundations. They enter structures through cracks in concrete floors, expansion joints, and foundation gaps. They forage for sugar, grease, protein, and dead insects, leaving the small mounds of excavated soil that gardeners recognize along driveway and sidewalk edges.
Signs of a Pavement Ant Infestation
Small soil mounds along driveway, sidewalk, and patio cracks
Small brown ant trails crossing basement floors, garage floors, patios
Swarms of winged reproductives in late spring (May to June)
Ants emerging from concrete expansion joints
Activity around pet food bowls, spilled liquids, and grease
Pavement Ant Pressure in Michigan
Pavement ants thrive throughout Metro Detroit. Paved driveways, concrete patios, pool decks, and garage floors provide ideal nesting sites. Peak swarming occurs late May through early June with flying reproductives often mistaken for termite swarmers.
How BTR Treats Pavement Ant Infestations
BTR uses non-repellent perimeter chemistry plus granular bait around concrete cracks and nest mounds. Interior crack-and-crevice treatments address any ants entering basements and garages. Pavement ant colonies respond well to bait and typically clear in 2 visits.
Prevention Tips
Seal cracks in driveways, sidewalks, patios, and garage floors. Keep vegetation trimmed away from paved surfaces. Avoid overwatering landscaping adjacent to paved areas. Store pet food indoors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pavement Ants
Are pavement ants and sidewalk ants the same?
Yes. Pavement ants are commonly called sidewalk ants because of their habit of nesting under concrete slabs. Both names refer to the same species Tetramorium immigrans (formerly Tetramorium caespitum).
Do pavement ants bite?
Pavement ants can sting, but their sting is mild and rarely breaks human skin. They are not aggressive toward humans unless directly disturbed.
What are the small soil piles on my driveway?
The small piles of fine soil pushed up through driveway cracks are pavement ant excavation debris. The ants dig galleries beneath the concrete and push excavated soil to the surface. Heavy excavation can destabilize paver installations over time.
Will pavement ants damage my foundation?
Pavement ants cannot damage solid concrete. However, large colonies excavating beneath patios, pool decks, and paver installations can cause settling and unevenness over several years. Sealing expansion joints reduces risk.
How do I tell pavement ants from termite swarmers?
Pavement ant swarmers have bent antennae, pinched waists, and wings of unequal length with few veins. Termite swarmers have straight antennae, thick waists, and wings of equal length with many veins. Pavement ants swarm in May and June; termites swarm in March through April in Michigan.
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