Can Pavement Ants Cause Structural Damage to Your Home?
WouterOccasionally, a pavement ant infestation will occur in a home. They will enter through small cracks in the floor or walls and nest beneath concrete slabs. This type of ant is not harmful to humans. However, they can be a nuisance.
The ants are 1/8 to 1 inch long, with two small nodes in front of their abdomen and two spines on the back. They can be black or brown in color. They have a stinger at the end of the final abdominal segment.
Pavement ants will usually enter a home through foundation cracks or weep holes. They will nest in the soil under concrete slabs and in the insulation of buildings. They are most common in homes that have a basement built out of cement block. They can also enter homes through small cracks in walls or floorboards.
Pavement ants are not particularly harmful to humans. However, if they enter your home, they may contaminate food with feces. They are also known to sting, which can cause mild pain.
Pavement ants are often mistaken for odorous house ants. These ants have a scent that smells like rotten coconuts. They can be found around the kitchen and bathroom. They have a distinctive citronella odor when crushed. They are very common in the Pacific Northwest.
These ants can be controlled by spraying the foundation with a persistent insecticide. This type of insecticide can be purchased as a spray or a squeezable gel.
