Ants
Argentine Ant
| Appearance |
|---|
 Brown to light brown; shiny. About 1/10-inch long. |
| Habitat |
| Argentine ant colonies live in moist areas near a food source, often in damp soil next to buildings, along sidewalks, or beneath boards. They continuously deposit trails to ensure they do not waste time visiting the same area for food. When outdoor conditions are too wet or dry, Argentine ants invade buildings by trailing plumbing pipes, shrub branches, utility lines, and wires. They are aggressive and will drive out native ant species, making control difficult. |
| Diet |
|
Argentine ants are omnivorous; they prefer sweet foods like the "honeydew" produced by aphids and mealybugs but will eat almost anything, including meat, eggs, oil, and fat.
|
| Control |
| When Argentine ant colonies are eliminated, new colonies may quickly take their place. Effective Argentine ant control is a multi-step process that involves finding and treating existing colonies, sealing potential entry points, and applying perimeter treatments. |
