Why Pavement Ant Pest Control? The Pavement Ant is a common pantry pest in Sevierville, TN, and surrounding areas. All About Bugs TN provides information about Pavement Ant behavior, habitats, and prevention methods to help protect your home and health from this pantry-invasive pest.
To learn about other creatures inclined to invade your cupboards, read our article, “Common Pantry Pests in Sevierville, TN – Awareness and Prevention Tips.”
Pavement Ant
Scientific Name: Tribolium castaneum
Actual Size:
Range from 1/16 to 1/8 in length
Color: Dark brown to black
Number of Legs: 6
Antennae: Yes, elbowed with 12 segments
Wings: Yes, but only on reproductive individuals during specific stages of their lifecycle.
Lifespan: Varies with worker ants living several months to a few years, while queens can live for several years.
Lifecycle: Pavement ants undergo complete metamorphosis, consisting of egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. Colonies are founded by a mated queen, and worker ants take care of the brood.
Pavement Ant
Scientific Name: Tribolium castaneum
Actual Size:
Range from 1/16 to 1/8 in length
Color: Dark brown to black
Number of Legs: 6
Antennae: Yes, elbowed with 12 segments
Wings: Yes, but only on reproductive individuals during specific stages of their lifecycle.
Lifespan: Varies with worker ants living several months to a few years, while queens can live for several years.
Lifecycle: Pavement ants undergo complete metamorphosis, consisting of egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. Colonies are founded by a mated queen, and worker ants take care of the brood.
Behavior and Habits
The Pavement Ant — How it Gets Its Name
Commonly, Pavement Ants populate near sidewalks, driveways, and the foundations of buildings, hence this species’ name, Pavement Ant.
Are Pavement Ants Known to Invade Kitchens and Pantries?
While not as notorious as other pantry invasive ants we’ve listed, Pavement ants are known to enter homes due to their attraction to food.
In General, ants will search for sweets, meats, and greasy substances. Identically, Pavement ants, although commonly found outdoors, are attracted to the same food sources.
Undoubtedly, a kitchen or pantry with food crumbs, spills, or open containers readily accessible to pests, could attract Pavement Ants.
Pavement Ant Prevention Tips
Practice good sanitation:
- Store foods in airtight containers
- Promptly clean spills and sweep up crumbs off the floor
- Maintain a clean pantry or kitchen
- Seal entry points such as cracks or gaps in walls
While the above tips can help prevent a Pavement Ant infestation, professional pest control measures may be the ultimate protection armor you need if you are in a Pavement Ant infestation battle.
Contact All About Bugs TN Pest and Termite Control Experts
Our All About Bugs TN integrated pest management strategies could help you manage and effectively control any ant infestation and keep ant populations at bay.
Resources
Tarkington, L. 2001. “Tetramorium caespitum” (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed February 17, 2024 at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Tetramorium_caespitum/
