If you’ve ever spotted a trail of tiny ants crawling along your kitchen floor or patio in St. Louis, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with pavement ants. These tiny invaders might be small, but they can cause big headaches—especially during warm months when they become most active. Here’s what you need to know about pavement ants in our area and how to keep them out of your home for good.
What Are Pavement Ants?
Pavement ants are small—typically about 1/8 inch long—and are dark brown to black in color. They often nest in cracks of pavement, sidewalks, driveways, and even under your home’s foundation. Unlike carpenter ants, pavement ants don’t damage wood, but they’re persistent scavengers. Once they find a food source in your home, they’ll keep coming back.
They move in long, visible trails and are often spotted near kitchens, pantries, and bathrooms—anywhere food or moisture is available.
Why Pavement Ants Love St. Louis Homes
St. Louis offers the perfect environment for pavement ants. Our mix of hot summers, mild winters, and densely packed neighborhoods with lots of paved surfaces create an ideal habitat.
Here’s why they show up:
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Foundation cracks and sidewalk gaps give them easy entry points
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Warm, moist basements provide great nesting spots
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Food crumbs and spills in kitchens attract entire colonies
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Mulch beds and landscaping stones near the home offer outdoor shelter close to food sources
Common Signs of a Pavement Ant Infestation
Pavement ants are not subtle once they’ve found a food source. Look for:
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Trails of small black ants along baseboards or countertops
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Ants coming from cracks near windows, doors, or basement walls
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Piles of fine dirt or sand that may indicate a nest
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Increased activity in warmer months, especially spring and summer
DIY Tips to Prevent Pavement Ants
You can take some steps on your own to make your home less attractive to pavement ants:
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Seal up cracks and entry points around your foundation, windows, and doors
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Keep kitchen areas clean, especially floors, counters, and pantry shelves
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Store food in airtight containers and don’t leave pet food out overnight
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Trim vegetation and manage mulch to avoid giving ants a bridge to your home
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Take out trash regularly and keep bins clean
These steps can reduce the chances of an infestation, but if ants are already inside, they may not be enough.
When to Call a Professional
Pavement ants are tough to eliminate once they’ve established a nest near or inside your home. Over-the-counter sprays may kill some workers, but the colony will bounce back.
A professional pest control service like STL Pest Control has the tools and local expertise to:
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Identify the exact nesting sites
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Apply safe, targeted treatments
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Provide long-term prevention plans tailored to St. Louis homes
Whether you’re dealing with a persistent trail of ants or want peace of mind before they show up, we’re here to help.
Don’t Let Pavement Ants Take Over—Call STL Pest Control
Pavement ants might seem harmless, but they can quickly become a frustrating problem. If you’re spotting trails in your kitchen or noticing them outside near your foundation, don’t wait for them to move in. Call STL Pest Control today for fast, affordable, and effective ant control solutions. We’re proud to serve St. Louis homeowners with trusted, local pest protection.