Argentine Ants

What do Argentine ants look like? 

Argentine ants are light to dark brown and are typically 1/16 of an inch in length. Their small size is noticeable. You may also notice their large numbers. A mature colony can consist of more than a million worker ants and hundreds of queens. Argentine ants are known for creating super colonies because each colony works together with the others. This is the primary issue with this species. Other ants don’t tend to get along with each other from nest to nest. If you’re looking to identify Argentine ants from another species, look for the consistent brown coloration of the body. There is no significant variation in color.   

Where do Argentine ants nest in or around a home?

If you go looking for Argentine ants around your home, you may find them nesting in shallow soil and hiding underneath rocks, logs, leaves, and other organic clutter. They have a preference for moist conditions and areas that provide shelter. You may find these ants in the following places:

• Under concrete slabs and pavement: They like the protection and the warmth offered. 
• Inside wall voids: They can establish a nest in any wall void but are drawn to areas with moisture damage.
• Near moisture sources: They’re attracted to nest locations near leaking faucets, weeping pipes, damaged garbage disposals, etc.
• In potted plants: They’ll attempt to create a small colony in the soil of a plant pot, particularly if it is overwatered.

These are highly versatile ants that can nest in a variety of locations beyond the few mentioned above.

What attracts Argentine ants?

If you’ve read this page up to this point, you may already know the first attractant we’re going to mention.

Moisture: These ants have a high moisture requirement and live near locations that have poor drainage, damaged plumbing, or irrigation issues.

Food: These ants eat many natural food sources, such as nectar, aphids, fruits, and honeydew. They also eat a variety of dead insects and animal meat.

Shelter: These ants gravitate to nesting sites that provide protection: underneath concrete slabs, inside potted plants, under logs, within wall voids, underneath leaves or mulch, etc.

A property that provides any of these is sure to attract Argentine ants and many other pests.  

Do Argentine ants cause damage to property?

These ants are not considered property-damaging pests, like carpenter ants. However, they can get into electrical equipment and cause malfunctions and other damage. 

Are Argentine ants harmful?

While generally considered nuisance pests, Argentine ants may cause harm. 

• These ants are unlikely to bite unless provoked. While bites are rare, some individuals have an allergic reaction to the formic acid in their bites.
• Like all pest ants, these ants can get into unsanitary locations and pick up germs. They can then carry these tiny, disease-causing organisms to clean locations, such as kitchens and pantries.
• Argentine ants can increase issues in gardens and landscaping. They are known to protect aphids from natural predators in order to harvest the honeydew these insects produce.

Targeted control is strongly recommended for Argentine ants, as they grow large populations and can cause harm.

How do Argentine ants get into homes and businesses?

These tiny ants get in through the tiniest gaps and cracks in structures that are not protected by liquid crack and crevice treatments. They’ll get in through:

• Foundation cracks
• Poor seals around exterior doors
• Damaged screens
• Gaps in window and door frames
• Unprotected vents
• And more

It is difficult to keep these tiny ants out without pest control, and once they get in, it is even harder to get them out. 

What’s the best way to get rid of Argentine ants?

We recommend contacting a licensed pest control company to treat Argentine ants. Their resilience as a species makes them hard to stomp out. Effective remediation requires a multi-pronged pest control solution that eliminates the ants at their source, stops access, and evaluates the success of the treatment plan. A trained and experienced technician won’t stop until the ants are definitely gone. 

How can I prevent Argentine ants from entering?

It is possible to apply methods to prevent Argentine ants from entering, but it isn’t easy. You have to address attractants and effectively seal potential entry points.

• Deal with water damage.
• Repair problems with irrigation.
• Address clogged gutters.
• Trim vegetation to reduce humidity.
• Remove leaf litter.
• Reduce mulch applications.
• Apply caulking material to seal gaps and holes.
• Use expanding foam for larger gaps, holes, and cavities.
• Repair screens, weatherstripping, and sweeps.
• Protect vents and weep holes.
• Clean trash receptacles.
• Consider using scented trash bags.
• Keep trash receptacles covered.
• Address conditions that can attract aphids.
• Address aphid issues quickly when they arise.
• Address lawn weeds.

Pest maintenance is complicated, but with dedicated effort, you can keep ants and other pests out. For stress-free pest management and exclusion, contact a pest control service provider for year-round pest control. We stop pests before they get in.