Originally native to Europe and introduced to the United States, pavement ants are so named because they make their homes under pavement. It is common to see holes dug out in the sand between slabs of pavement which are created by the ants to help and ventilate their nests. When they travel inside, they are more likely to live in walls, insulation, and under the floors. They are only about 1/8 of an inch long and normally are brown or black colored. Just like many other ants you could find in your home, they do not pose any serious health risk or risk to your property, however as they travel all over and touch your food, it is very easy for them to contaminate your food supplies so it is important to get rid of them promptly. Keeping your house clean and ensuring that the exterior walls of your house are clear of bushes, branches, and firewood greatly reduce your risk of getting pavement ants.
