Insect identifier · Ants, bees, and wasps
How to identify a Pavement ant
Tetramorium immigrans
· Also called sidewalk ant, tetramorium
People searching “what does a pavement ant look like” or “pavement ant bite” want a field ID, not a scare. Pavement ant (Tetramorium immigrans) is a ants bees wasps in this guide. Also called sidewalk ant, tetramorium.
Ants boiling out of a sidewalk crack are pavement ants, not fire ants.
What does a pavement ant look like?
Pavement ant is Small, about 3 mm. Colors people notice: brown, black. Field marks: Nest in pavement cracks; Dark brown; Slow trails.
Pavement ant is Small, about 3 mm. Colors people notice: brown, black. Field marks: Nest in pavement cracks; Dark brown; Slow trails. If the marks fail, open the look-alike pages before forcing this name.
Identification marks
- Nest in pavement cracks
- Dark brown
- Slow trails
Size: Small, about 3 mm
Colors: brown, black
Where: both
What a typical pavement ant bite looks like
Minor sting if you stand on a nest. No white pustules. Brush them off Ice if stung
Minor sting if you stand on a nest. No white pustules. Fever, spreading redness, or trouble breathing needs a clinician.
If you were bitten
- Brush them off
- Ice if stung
- Seal cracks if they trail indoors
Pavement ant vs Red imported fire ant
Crack in a northern sidewalk = pavement ant. Fluffy lawn mound in the South = fire ant.
- Red imported fire ant identification (Solenopsis invicta)
- Pharaoh ant identification (Monomorium pharaonis)
- Subterranean termite identification (Reticulitermes spp.)
Range and season
Pavement ant is active warm months. Typical places: yard, sidewalk, house. Common sidewalk ant. Small mounds in cracks. A sting is minor. Not a fire ant.
Sidewalks and foundations, especially the North and West Coast.
Common sidewalk ant. Small mounds in cracks. A sting is minor. Not a fire ant.
Warm months
Common questions
Pavement ant vs fire ant?
Pavement ants are small, dark, and nest in cracks. They do not make fluffy mounds or next-day pustules.