Ants - Argentine Ant

The Argentine ant is a severe pest in the southern United States and in California (and in many parts of the world) In areas of heavy infestations it may be found in every home. Workers are 1/12 to 1/8 inch long and are light to dark brown in color. Nests are typically located in moist soil next to or under the buildings, along sidewalks or beneath boards and plantsh. They usually nest near their food source. Occassionaly these ants may nest within a structure or other locations not considered soil related.

Argentine ants prefer sweet foods, principally sugars, syrup, fruit juices secretions of plants and honeydew. Workers are very aggressive and often eliminate other ants in the area. Effective control is often difficult for professional pest control companies within the first 6 months to 1 year. If you suspect that you have this ant do not spray them! Argentine ants use a budding system and spraying workers will cause the colony to bud into satellite colonies. Eliminating the nests is the only effective way to control this ant.