| Description:
Pavement ants are 1/16- to 1/8-inch
long with a dark body and lighter
colored legs. They have two
small spines on the back portion
of the thorax, two nodes in
their petioles, and their bodies
are covered with stiff hairs.
Pavement ants are easily identified
by the narrow, parallel grooves
on their heads and thoraxes.
Habits:
Pavement ants are commonly
found in metropolitan areas
in the eastern and central
United States and in California.
They nest outdoors under flat
stones, under sidewalks, along
curbing, under concrete slabs,
etc. They invade structures
in search of food and are
a particular problem in areas
where slab-on-grade construction
is prevalent. Inside structures,
they nest in walls, insulation,
floors, and near heat sources
during the winter.
Pavement ants feed on insects,
meats, seeds, and sweets,
but they prefer meats and
greases. They are slow-moving
insects and are frequently
observed in areas where they
are prevalent. They forage
in trails as far as 30 feet
from the nest. Although they
are not particularly aggressive,
workers can bite and sting.
|
