Pavement ants are small brown-black ants that nest under sidewalks, driveways, and slab foundations, pushing up small mounds of soil. They forage widely for food and often enter Whidbey homes through slab cracks and expansion joints.
How to identify pavement ants
Workers are about 1/8 inch, brown to blackish, with two nodes and fine parallel grooves on the head and thorax. They often have a pair of small spines on the back.
Behavior & season on Whidbey & Fidalgo
They nest under hardscape and along foundations, active spring through fall, and forage in trails for grease, sweets, and protein. Colonies sometimes fight neighboring colonies in large sidewalk battles.
Why pavement ants are a problem
They are primarily a nuisance and do not damage structures, but they contaminate food and can become persistent indoors when nesting under a heated slab.
Signs of pavement ants activity
- Small soil mounds between pavement cracks
- Trails entering through slab or foundation cracks
- Ants foraging in kitchens and pantries
- Activity concentrated near driveways and patios
How Salty Dog treats pavement ants
We bait active trails, treat foundation and slab entry points, and address exterior nesting sites along the hardscape. Learn more about our Ant Control service, or browse the full Pest Library.
Reviewed by Matthew — Salty Dog Pest Control. WSDA-licensed structural pest applicator (License #101709). Veteran- and family-owned, serving Whidbey Island, Fidalgo Island, and west Skagit County.
Frequently asked questions
Where are they nesting?
Usually under concrete — driveways, patios, sidewalks, and slab foundations. The soil mounds in pavement cracks are the giveaway.
Do they bite?
They can sting weakly but rarely do; they are mainly a food-contamination nuisance.
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