Ants
Pavement Ant Identification & Control in Hampton Roads
Complete Pest Management has been treating Pavement Ants in Newport News and Hampton Roads since 1993. Licensed and insured in Virginia — VDACS #11694.
Pavement ants are among the most visible ants in Hampton Roads — they're the ones creating small volcano-shaped sand mounds in driveway expansion joints, sidewalk cracks, and patio edges throughout Newport News and Hampton. They nest under slabs and paving and forage into homes through the smallest gaps, trailing to kitchens and bathrooms in search of sweets, grease, and moisture.
Quick Facts
How to Identify Pavement Ants
Pavement ants are small — about 1/8 inch — dark brown to black, with parallel grooves (striations) on the head and thorax visible under magnification. The most reliable field identification is their nesting behavior: they push soil up through pavement cracks to create the distinctive sand volcano mounds. Swarmers (winged reproductives) appear in spring and summer. Colonies typically number 3,000–5,000 workers with a single queen, making them smaller and somewhat easier to treat than odorous house ants.
Why Pavement Ants Are Common in Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads' abundant concrete slabs — driveways, patios, sidewalks, and parking areas — combined with the region's sandy-clay soil mix gives pavement ants ideal nesting conditions across virtually every neighborhood. Newport News' older residential areas with aging concrete have particularly heavy pressure as expansion joints and cracks multiply with time. The region's warm summers accelerate colony growth and foraging activity, while our mild winters mean colonies remain active and pressure doesn't drop significantly off-season.
What to Do About Pavement Ants
DIY Steps You Can Take Now
- ✓ Locate the primary nesting sites — look for sand mounds in driveway cracks, along the foundation perimeter, and under patio stones.
- ✓ Apply ant bait near active trails and mound openings — liquid bait works well for pavement ants as they prefer liquid food sources in warm weather.
- ✓ Seal visible cracks in the foundation and around pipe penetrations to reduce entry points into the home.
- ✓ Keep the interior kitchen and bathroom areas clean and dry — eliminate the food and moisture that draws foraging workers inside.
- ✓ Remove outdoor grease sources near the home: grill drip pans, pet food left outside, and compost bins should be away from the foundation.
When to Call a Professional
- → Pavement ant trails are active inside the home and persist despite bait placement.
- → You have slab-on-grade construction with interior mound activity, indicating nesting under the floor.
- → You see a swarming event with hundreds of winged ants emerging from the home — a sign of a mature colony with satellite nests.
- → Outdoor mounds are prolific along the entire foundation perimeter despite repeated treatment attempts.
Professional Treatment
Complete Pest Management treats Pavement Ants as part of our Ant Control service.
Pavement Ants FAQs — Hampton Roads
Those are pavement ant nest openings. Workers excavate soil from beneath the pavement and push it up through the crack, creating the volcano-shaped mound. Each mound is an active colony entrance — not the only one, as colonies typically have several.
They can bite and sting if disturbed, but it's mild and rarely a concern for most people. The stinger is weak and doesn't penetrate human skin easily. They're primarily a nuisance and food contamination issue.
Direct structural damage is minimal — they don't eat concrete. However, extensive excavation beneath a slab over many years can create small voids that may contribute to settling. This is rare and takes many years. The more immediate concern is their presence inside the home.
The combination of exterior bait treatment near active mounds and entry point sealing is most effective. We apply granular and liquid bait at nesting sites and treat the foundation perimeter. Interior trailing usually stops within a week as the colony is baited. We include pavement ant treatment in our quarterly service program.
Dealing with Pavement Ants in Hampton Roads?
Same-week service available. Licensed and insured in Virginia.