Argentine Ants: What You Need to Know

Need to get rid of Argentine ants? Read on to learn the answers to all of your important questions. Need help? Call our professionals today to get started.

Argentine Ants In The Home

Argentine ants are a common household pest, and it can be common to see queens foraging alongside all the workers when they are on the hunt for food. Because of the large number of queens that can occur, extermination of the large colonies can be quite difficult. Where do Argentine ants live? They usually live in shallow nests under a rock or board, someplace that provides protection. But Argentine ants reside outdoors but can invade while on the hunt for food.

Argentine Ant Facts

Worker ants of this variety tend to be one-eighth of an inch. They are dark brown or black with shiny bodies. Regarding Argentine ant identification, their queens are smaller than other ant queens, though there can be more of those in a colony. This makes them harder to get under control, for each colony divides into subcolonies of hundreds or thousands. These groups do not become aggressive toward each other, yet they can overtake other ant species in an area, even natives. Their primary food source is sweet honeydew produced by aphids and other insects. Plants that attract aphids, like roses or fruit trees, can thus have problems with Argentine ants.

Argentine Ant Prevention

As with all ant threats, minimize piles of wood, bricks or garbage where colonies can live, and keep trees and plants trimmed so that they don’t touch your home. Seal off cracks so that your home isn’t exposed to outside infestation. And make sure the sprinkler system doesn’t spray the home foundation.

Should I Contact A Pest Control Specialist For Argentine Ants?

Argentine ants can be particularly hard to get under control because of the size of the colonies and the number of queens. Reproductive ants from both sexes can grow wings to spread the colonies during mating season. Regular treatments from a pest control specialist can help minimize the threat of the critters invading your home.

Call Pest Control Experts today to get a free quote and to schedule your home pest inspection as soon as possible!