Have you ever noticed small black ants making their way around your home or backyard? If so, you’ve likely encountered pavement ants or carpenter ants.
These two species are very similar in appearance, but they have distinct physical characteristics, nesting habits, and prevention strategies.
In a nutshell, you can tell pavement and carpenter ants apart by their size. Pavement ants are typically smaller, while carpenter ants are larger.
Pavement ants have a light brown or yellowish-brown color, and they have black spots scattered along their back. Carpenter ants also have a black color but with reddish-brown accents around their thorax and head.
Physical Characteristics and Distinctions of Pavement and Carpenter Ants
Pavement and carpenter ants might look similar at first glance, but don these two species couldn’t be more different. Pavement ants are tiny and dark-colored, scurrying quickly across pavement or concrete surfaces in search of food.
They are eager scavengers that will eat almost anything sweet – from your spilled soda to the nectar of wildflowers.
Carpenter ants, on the other hand, are larger and black, typically found in wooded areas working hard to build intricate and elaborate ant colonies.
As skilled engineers, these hearty insects create tunnels inside logs, tree stumps, rocks, or even homes.
Size:
The first step in distinguishing between carpenter and pavement ants is to look for size differences between the two varieties. Pavement ants typically measure around 3-4mm, while carpenter ants are larger and measure closer to 4-5mm.
Color:
In addition to size, you can also look for subtle differences in color. As mentioned earlier, pavement ants have a dark hue and are almost black in color, lined up on sidewalks, driveways, and other outdoor areas.
Carpenter ants, on the other hand, have a distinct reddish-brown hue to their heads and thoraxes that helps them stand out from pavement ants.
Nesting Habits:
Pavement ants prefer nests outdoors, such as under rocks or driveways; however, colonies will often build “satellite nests” inside buildings where food sources are abundant.
These satellite nests can often be found along baseboards near windowsills or doorways due to the warmth those areas provide during cold winter months.
In contrast, carpenter ants nest primarily in wood that has been weakened by decay or moisture damage within homes or other structures such as tree stumps outside.
If left untreated, these colonies can cause extensive damage to buildings over time due to their burrowing behavior, which creates tunnels through wood surfaces as they search for food sources (i.e., other insects).
With a dichotomy in the nesting preferences of pavement and carpenter ants, one might assume that members of their species would always be competitors.
Upon closer inspection, however, it’s easy to see why these two particular species don’t share the same turf.
Pavement ants thrive on large outdoor surfaces, while carpenter ants prefer the cozy environment of small spaces and are unable to colonize sidewalks or other expansive areas.
Life Span Comparison Between Pavement and Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants colonies may take around three to six years for them to establish. It only takes 12 weeks for a carpenter ant to mature – from its egg to its adult life form. However, take note that it takes longer for carpenter ants to develop maturity, up to ten months, especially in areas where temperatures are low.
For pavement ants, you’ll notice that they have multiple queens. This is to ensure that the colony can quickly spread out and maintain itself.
Pavement ants have a much shorter mating cycle, with each ant reaching adulthood within just three weeks. This means they can easily establish nests in new areas and start reproducing very quickly.
Pavement ants’ workers are responsible for taking care of the offspring, while multiple queens ensure that their colony spreads and grows rather quickly.
Prevention Strategies for Pavement and Carpenter Ants
Although both ants species have different preferences in terms of their habitat, it’s not uncommon to find both types of ants in close proximity. To prevent them from colonizing your home or office, you should take a few proactive steps to deter these pests.
Wipe all Spills Immediately
Spills are the perfect breeding ground for ants, whether it be pavement or carpenter ants. While they won’t build their colony inside your home, they may have already established one outdoors and could be searching for food indoors. Be sure to wipe up any spills immediately to avoid attracting pests.
Keep Your Home Clean
As with any pest control strategy, ensuring the cleanliness of your place goes a long way in keeping ants from entering your home. Vacuum and mop often to remove any food sources or crumbs that may attract these pests.
Seal Areas That Could Potentially Become Accessible
Finally, make sure to seal areas around windowsills and doorways that could potentially become accessible for ants.
These areas are especially vulnerable, as they may provide a warm spot for ants to nest during cold winter months. You can also invest in ant traps or baits to further reduce the risk of an infestation.
Peppermint Oil and Other Natural Deterrents
Peppermint oil is a great natural deterrent for ants as its strong smell repels them from entering your home. You can also use bay leaves, cucumber slices, and cinnamon sticks to keep these pests away.
Lemon juice and vinegar can be applied to areas where ants may be entering, as the strong scent of these ingredients acts as an effective insect repellant.
Final Thoughts
While carpenter and pavement ants may have different nesting habits, physical appearances, and life spans, they both remain a nuisance that could wreak havoc if not managed properly.
The black pavement ant is especially prevalent in urban and suburban areas, while the red carpenter ant can be found in backyard gardens.
By implementing the right control strategies, such as sealing entry points and keeping your home clean, you can ensure that both of these ants will remain outside of your property.
Peppermint oil and other natural deterrents can also help repel these pests, while baits and ant traps provide an extra layer of protection.
