Pavement ants are native to Europe and were introduced into the United States during the 1700’s. Today, they are one of the most common indoor ant pests in the northeastern United States. Pavement ants are small, brown or brownish-black in color and forage indoors for sweets and high-protein foods. Under magnification, the grooves on their head and thorax can be used to distinguish them from other small, dark-colored home-invading ants. They construct nests under building foundations, sidewalks or rocks, and produce characteristic mounds of soil.