INTRODUCTION.  This ant gets it name from commonly locating its nest in or under cracks in pavement.  Pavement ants were introduced from Europe by the early colonists.  They are found in most of the eastern half of the United States and in California and Washington.

RECOGNITION.  Workers monomorphic, about 1/16-1/8" (2.5-4 mm) long; queens about 3/8" (8 mm) long.  Body light brown to black with paler legs and antennae.  Head and thorax furrowed/grooved with parallel lines.  Antenna 12-segmented, with 3-segmented club.  Thorax with pair of small spines on upper back part, profile unevenly rounded Pedicel 2-segmented.  Stinger present.
    Swarmers can be distinguished from other ant swarmers by the presence of fine furrows/grooves on their head and thorax, similar to those of the workers.

HABITS.  Inside, pavement ants will occasionally nest in walls, in insulation, and under floors.  The most likely place is in ground-level masonry walls of the foundation and especially near some heat source in the winter.  They often follow pipes which come through slabs for access to upper floors of buildings.
    Outside, these ants typically nest under stones, in cracks in pavement, and next to buildings.  They enter buildings through cracks in the slab and walls, slab expansion joints, and the natural openings of buildings.  although not aggressive, workers can bit and sting.

    These ants feed on almost anything including insects, honeydew, seeds, plant sap, and household foods such as meats, nuts, cheese, honey, and bread, but show a preference for meats and grease.  They forage in trails, and for distances of up to 30 feet (9 m).

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