Pavement ants are a common nuisance pest that can quickly invade homes and become a real problem if left unchecked. These small black ants get their name from their habit of nesting in or under cracks in pavement, and they are especially fond of invading driveways, sidewalks, patios, and other concrete surfaces.
While pavement ants themselves are not dangerous, they can cause structural damage over time as they excavate and nest in pavement. And if they find a way inside, they can also become a major nuisance as they forage for food in kitchens and other living areas.
Fortunately, there are a number of safe, natural methods that can help get rid of pavement ants both outdoors and indoors. Here are 18 of the best home remedies and treatments for getting rid of pavement ants the natural way.
Understanding Pavement Ants
Before getting into the control methods, it helps to understand a little more about pavement ants so you can identify them and understand their behavior. Here are a few key facts:
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Pavement ants are small, measuring only 1/8 to 1/6 inches long They are shiny black or dark brown in color.
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They nest outdoors, excavating shallow nests under stones, patio blocks, cracks in pavement, etc. Nests often have multiple openings.
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Colonies can contain thousands of ants. Workers forage day and night when temperatures are warm.
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Pavement ants feed on insects honeydew from aphids/scales, sweets greasy or oily foods, seeds, etc. They love proteins.
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Indoors, they are often found in kitchens and bathrooms due to availability of food and moisture.
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If unchecked, pavement ants can damage asphalt driveways, patios, etc over time with their nest excavations.
18 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Pavement Ants
1. Seal Cracks and Crevices
Pavement ants gain entry via cracks and crevices, so sealing these up is a priority. Use caulk or expandable foam sealant to seal cracks in driveways, sidewalks, foundation walls, etc. This helps block them at the source.
2. Remove Debris and Clutter
Keep outdoor living areas free of clutter like piles of wood, rocks, debris, etc where ants may find shelter. Trim back vegetation touching structures. This eliminates nesting sites.
3. Diatomaceous Earth
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth in nest areas or ant trails. The sharp particles cut ants’ bodies, causing dehydration. Be sure to use food-grade DE. Wear a mask when applying.
4. Borax
Mix equal parts borax and sugar as bait near nests. The sugar attracts ants who then ingest the borax, which slowly kills them. Keep borax away from pets.
5. Baking Soda
Sprinkle baking soda where ants are seen. It kills them by dehydrating their exoskeletons. Baking soda also neutralizes ant trails/pheromones.
6. Boiling Water
Pour boiling water directly into nest openings/ant trails to kill colonies. This works best for controlling smaller nests. Be extremely careful handling boiling water.
7. Lemon Juice/Peels
Squeeze lemon juice onto ants/trails or place lemon peels near nests. Citric acid kills ants and the peel’s scent repels them.
8. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil interferes with ants’ odor trail pheromones. Mix with water and spray on trails, nests, etc. You can also soak cotton balls in oil and set them out near nests.
9. Vinegar
Spray or wipe vinegar in ant trails and nest entrances. It kills ants on contact and disrupts pheromone trails, preventing reinfestation. Use undiluted white vinegar.
10. Dish Soap
Mix dish soap with water and spray/wipe directly on ants. The soap sticks to their bodies, suffocating them. It also washes away pheromone trails.
11. Cinnamon
Sprinkle ground cinnamon in ant nest areas. Cinnamon’s strong scent drives ants away and masks food trails leading back to the nest.
12. Coffee Grounds
Used coffee grounds sprinkled around nests/trails repel ants with the strong coffee smell. Can also be used to mulch garden beds to deter ants.
13. Cucumber Peels
Place cucumber peel pieces around nests/trails. Cucumber peels contain a substance toxic to ants that drives them away.
14. Chili Powder or Cayenne Pepper
These spices contain capsaicin which irritates ants’ bodies, repelling them. Sprinkle in nest areas or mix with water to spray. Wear gloves when handling.
15. Mint Leaves
Crush fresh mint leaves and sprinkle around nests, windows, doors, etc. The mint oil scent naturally repels ants. You can also plant mint in your yard or garden.
16. Talcum Powder
Sprinkle talcum powder around nest openings and ant trails. The powder’s fine texture irritates ants and deters them from the area.
17. Garlic
Place thin garlic peel slices around nests. The sulfur in garlic repels ants. Or make a garlic spray by blending a few cloves in water, then strain and spray the liquid.
18. Salt
Sprinkle salt in ant nest entrance areas or directly on ants. Salt draws moisture out of ants, leading to dehydration. Can also sprinkle around outdoor doorways.
Tips for Prevention
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Seal as many cracks in pavement, foundations, etc as possible to eliminate entry points and nesting sites.
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Eliminate moisture issues like leaky pipes, standing water, etc that attract pavement ants.
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Clean up kitchens and bathrooms frequently to deny ants food sources inside.
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Store food in airtight containers and discard crumbs and spills right away.
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Apply pesticide sprays or granules in problem areas as a preventive measure to deter colonies from getting established.
When to Call an Exterminator for Pavement Ants
For severe infestations, it may be necessary to call a professional exterminator to fully eliminate pavement ants on your property. Signs you may need professional pest control:
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Natural remedies have not reduced the ant problem after 2-3 weeks.
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There are multiple nests that keep repopulating with ants.
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You see swarms of ants constantly trailing into the home.
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Ants are causing excessive structural damage to driveways or patios.
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You see evidence of ants nesting indoors in walls/woodwork.
A qualified exterminator has the right insecticides and can target nests you may be unable to locate yourself. This offers the best chance of getting rid of a pavement ant problem for good.
The Bottom Line
Pavement ants can quickly go from nuisance to problem if colonies get established around structures. But with diligence and persistence, and using these natural methods, you can get rid of pavement ants yourself and prevent future infestations on your property. Pay attention to possible nest locations outdoors, seal up entry points, and frequently apply natural deterrents to pavements, gardens, and indoors.
What Pavement Ants Look Like
While it may seem like an ant is ant is an ant, pavement ants are distinctive in their appearance. Theyre typically brown, though their bodies can vary in color from reddish-brown to dark brown to black. Theyre also tiny—only about ⅛ of an inch long (about ⅛ the length of a standard paperclip).
If you had a magnifying glass, you would see these telltale signs of a pavement ant:
- Pair of nodes on its thorax (the part between the head and the abdomen).
- Parallel lines or furrows running across both the head and thorax.
- Two-segment pedicel (the part connecting the thorax and the abdomen).
- Stinger on its last segment. (Luckily, the stinger isnt strong enough to harm humans).
- Swarmer ants, which have the job of reproducing, are twice the size of worker ants and have wings.
Where You’ll Find Pavement Ants
Naturally, pavement ants love to congregate in and around outdoor paved areas like sidewalks, driveways, and concrete. But theyre indoor invaders, too, that find their way into your home through cracks and crevices in concrete, like foundations, concrete slabs, and door jams.
Pavement ants are attracted to warmth and love moisture. If you have these ants, youll likely find them in these areas of your home.
- High-humidity areas such as the kitchen and bathrooms.
- Near heat sources such as walls and insulation located along hot water lines.
- On the floor around exterior doors.
- Anywhere food spills are found, such as kitchen countertops, trash cans, and pantries.
The main things pavement ants are looking for inside are food sources, especially those containing protein and/or sugar, such as nuts, cheese, honey, jam, cookies, bread, and crackers. They will also consume grease, pollen, plant juices, pet food, garbage, and even other insects.
How to Get Rid of Pavement Ants (3 Simple Steps)
FAQ
How do you get rid of pavement ants?
Perimeter Spraying
Usually, spraying the perimeter is enough treatment for Pavement ant control. If they are inside, as they will go outside, they will cross over the insecticide. If you need any insecticide inside, use Spectre PS or Phantom Aerosol in cracks and crevices in the inside areas.
Will vinegar kill pavement ants?
Cons. Temporary solution: While vinegar can kill ants on contact, it may not eliminate the entire ant colony or prevent future infestations.
Why are there pavement ants in my house?
The main things pavement ants are looking for inside are food sources, especially those containing protein and/or sugar, such as nuts, cheese, honey, jam, …
Does baking soda kill pavement ants?
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