Pavement Ant 

Tetramorium caespitum

Color: From brown to black

Size: 2.5 – 3 mm

Figure: Segmented body, thorax and abdomen in 2 parts

Nutrition: Molasses, nectars, sugary foods

Habitat: North America and Europe

General Behavior

Their colonies have queens and are made up of thousands of workers,

Workers move slowly when foraging for food,

They fight with other ant colonies to defend their region,

They prefer humid environments where food is abundant,

They are on the move both day and night.

Threats

They risk introducing bacteria and pathogens into food,

Their burrows in the pavement and underneath cause erosion,

Their nests indoors damage insulation and wood.

How Do We Recognize Infestation?

Erosions and soil accumulations on pavements indicate that they have nests,

Sightings of live ants in areas such as food stores and kitchens.