Pavement ants are named for their habit of nesting in the soil beneath slabs, sidewalks, driveways, and building foundations. Small mounds of excavated soil or sand pushed up through cracks are usually the first visible sign, especially in spring as colonies become active again.
While mostly a nuisance outdoors, pavement ants will readily move indoors through foundation cracks and expansion joints in search of food, particularly greasy or sugary crumbs in kitchens. Sealing gaps in the foundation and slab and keeping mulch away from the home’s perimeter are effective first steps toward prevention.