If you’re a homeowner in the St. Cloud, MN area looking to get rid of pavement ants, you’ve come to the right place.
Pavement ants are a common nuisance for residents throughout Douglas, Pope, Todd, Stearns, and surrounding counties.
As a locally owned and operated pest control company based right here in Alexandria, MN, Complete Ground Control Pest Services has the expertise to help you eliminate pavement ants from in and around your home.

Pavement ants get their name from their tendency to build nests under sidewalks, driveways, and building foundations.
Drawn to the warmth of the concrete, these tiny black or brown ants can quickly become a major problem if an infestation takes hold.
While pavement ants don’t pose a significant health risk, they can contaminate food and become a persistent annoyance for homeowners.
Understanding Pavement Ant Behavior
Characteristic | Description |
---|---|
Appearance | Tiny black or brown ants, about 1/8 inch long |
Nesting Habits | Build nests under concrete slabs, sidewalks, driveways, and foundations |
Diet | Omnivores that eat a wide variety of foods, especially sweets and proteins |
Behavior | Often seen trailing along sidewalks and building exteriors in search of food |
To effectively control pavement ants, it’s important to understand their behavior and nesting habits. Here are some key facts about these pesky insects:
- Pavement ants are attracted to the warmth retained by concrete surfaces
- They build shallow nests under sidewalks, driveways, patios, and foundations
- Worker ants forage along established trails, often entering homes in search of food
- Pavement ants have a diverse diet but are especially drawn to sweets and proteins
In the St. Cloud area, pavement ants are most active during the spring and summer months when temperatures rise.
Our long, cold winters drive them to seek shelter near heated structures, which is why they often end up in Minnesota homes.
Identifying Pavement Ant Entry Points
Before you can get rid of pavement ants, you need to figure out how they’re getting into your house in the first place.
These tiny invaders can slip through the smallest cracks and gaps, so it’s important to do a thorough inspection of your home’s exterior.
Some common entry points include:
- Cracks in the foundation or concrete slabs
- Gaps around windows and doorframes
- Openings where utility lines enter the structure
- Vents, chimneys, and other small holes
As a locally owned business, we understand the unique challenges St. Cloud homeowners face when it comes to pest control.
Many of the homes in our area have aging foundations that develop cracks over time, providing the perfect access point for pavement ants.
Use this checklist to identify potential pavement ant entry points around your home’s exterior:
- Inspect foundation for cracks, gaps, or holes
- Check around windows and doors for gaps in framing or weatherstripping
- Look for openings where pipes, wires, and utilities enter the structure
- Examine vents, chimneys, and exhaust fans for holes or damage
- Survey sidewalks, patios, and driveways for cracks that could harbor ant nests
Identifying and sealing off entry points is a crucial step in the ant control process.
If you’re not sure where to start, give us a call – our technicians are experts at sniffing out even the most well-hidden ant highways.
Eco-Friendly Pavement Ant Control Methods
Once you’ve sealed potential entry points, it’s time to take action against the ants themselves.
While chemical pesticides can be effective, many St. Cloud homeowners prefer to start with eco-friendly control methods.
Here are a few natural ways you can get rid of pavement ants:
- Vinegar – Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and apply along baseboards, windowsills, and other areas where you’ve seen ant activity. The vinegar disrupts the ants’ pheromone trails and can help deter them from coming inside.
- Cinnamon – Sprinkle cinnamon powder around entry points and ant trails. Like vinegar, cinnamon masks the scent of ant pheromones and can help repel them naturally.
- Diatomaceous earth – This fine powder is made from fossilized algae and is lethal to many crawling insects, including ants. Sprinkle it around the perimeter of your home and in any cracks or crevices where ants might enter.
Method | How It Works | Application |
---|---|---|
Vinegar spray | Disrupts ant pheromone trails | Spray along baseboards, windowsills, and other ant hot spots |
Cinnamon powder | Masks ant pheromone scents and repels them | Sprinkle around entry points and along ant trails |
Diatomaceous earth | Abrades exoskeletons, causing ants to dehydrate and die | Apply around home perimeter and in cracks/crevices |
While these natural methods can be effective for minor infestations, they may not be enough to fully control a large colony of pavement ants.
If you’ve tried eco-friendly approaches without success, it may be time to call in the professionals for targeted treatment.
Preventing Pavement Ant Reinfestation
Getting rid of pavement ants is one thing – keeping them from coming back is another.
To prevent reinfestation after treatment, it’s important to maintain a vigilant approach to ant control.
Here are some tips for discouraging pavement ants from returning:
- Keep your home clean and free of crumbs, spills, and other food debris
- Store food (including pet food) in airtight containers
- Seal any cracks or gaps that develop around your home’s exterior
- Trim back trees and shrubs that touch your house, as these can provide a bridge for ants
- Consider a recurring pest control service to catch any new ant activity early
- Maintain a clean home free of food debris that could attract ants
- Store food in tightly sealed containers to avoid tempting ant invaders
- Regularly inspect your foundation and seal any new cracks or gaps
- Cut back vegetation touching your house that ants could use as a bridge
- Have ongoing pest control service to identify and treat new infestations quickly
As a locally owned company, we take pride in providing St. Cloud homeowners with customized pest control solutions.
We’ll work with you to develop a long-term prevention plan tailored to your home’s specific needs.
With our cold Minnesota winters, it’s especially important to stay on top of exclusion efforts to keep ants from seeking shelter indoors.
Why Getting Rid of Pavement Ants Matters
While pavement ants may seem like just a nuisance, allowing an infestation to persist can lead to bigger problems down the line.
In addition to contaminating food, pavement ants can actually cause damage to your property over time.
As the ants excavate soil to build their nests, they can undermine pavement and even cause interior floors to sink.
Eliminating pavement ants is an investment in your home’s health and stability. By taking action to control these pests, you can:
- Avoid costly repairs from pavement and foundation damage
- Keep your kitchen and food stores ant-free
- Reduce stress and frustration from ongoing ant problems
- Gain peace of mind knowing your home is protected
As a family owned company, we understand wanting to keep your home safe and comfortable for your loved ones. Our expert technicians are dedicated to providing effective, long-term solutions so you can enjoy your space without worrying about uninvited ant guests.
Signs of Infestation | Identification Tips | Treatment Options |
---|---|---|
Ant trails along foundations, sidewalks, or interior baseboards | Look for small, dark-colored ants about 1/8 inch long | Seal entry points, use natural repellents, consider professional treatment |
Small piles of dirt or debris near cracks in pavement | These may be pavement ant nests | Treat nests directly or use perimeter treatments to control colonies |
Ants appearing in kitchens or bathrooms | Pavement ants often forage indoors for food and water | Clean regularly, store food properly, eliminate moisture sources |

FAQs
How can I get rid of pavement ants in St. Cloud, MN?
Start by identifying and sealing entry points, then use eco-friendly control methods like vinegar, cinnamon, or diatomaceous earth. For larger infestations, contact a professional pest control company for targeted treatment.
What are the common entry points for pavement ants in St. Cloud homes?
Pavement ants often enter through cracks in foundations, gaps around windows and doors, openings for utilities, and vents or chimneys. Aging homes in our area are especially susceptible to ant invasion.
How can I prevent pavement ants from coming back?
Maintain a clean home, store food properly, seal exterior cracks, trim back foliage touching the house, and consider ongoing pest control service to avoid ant reinfestation.
What are eco-friendly options for pavement ant control in St. Cloud?
Vinegar spray, cinnamon powder, and diatomaceous earth are natural methods that can help repel and control pavement ants without harsh chemicals.
How do I identify and treat a pavement ant infestation effectively?
Inspect your home’s exterior for entry points, look for ant trails along sidewalks and foundations, and use a combination of exclusion and treatment methods based on the severity of the infestation. When in doubt, call a local pest control professional for expert assistance.