Argentine Ant

Argentine ants are extremely well adapted to urbanized areas of the United States with mild climates and well-watered gardens. They pose a serious threat to native wildlife by upsetting delicate food webs. They are especially formidable due to their aggressive behavior and the enormous size of their colonies which can literally “team up” with other colonies. They follow a pre-marked pheromone “scent” trail initially laid down by scouts who were searching for goodies in your pantry. Although they prefer the outdoor life style, they primarily enter houses for food and water. They are fond of sweets, tuna, syrups (even cough syrup), juices, eggs, dead spiders and rodents, vomit, feces and just about any other organic matter they can find. Sometimes colonies develop in potted plant soil. Nests can be made of rocks, twigs, dirt, and so forth. Argentine ants relocate their nests often. Potted plants are a favorite nesting site.

Look for bait products with delayed toxicants such as hydramethylnon and sulfluramid. The toxicant must be slow-acting because if these ants die in the immediate area of the bait, other Argentine ants will avoid the area and not feed on the bait.Apply any chemicals judiciously. Precision spot treatments at points of entry into the house such as around window sills and door thresholds may be effective. Broadcast spraying for these ants is unwise. Most liquid insecticides will make the area repellent to ants. Ants will not feed on a bait that is placed in the vicinity of a repellent liquid insecticide.