Big Headed Ants

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Characteristics 

Size: This type of ant has two distinct sizes of workers. The larger ones, called major workers, typically range in size from 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch in length, depending on the species.

The major worker is easily identified by the extremely large size of its head in comparison to its body. The head of the minor worker is in proportion to its body. Color: Most are reddish brown in color.  The minor workers can resemble fire ants except that big-headed ants have 12 segments in their antennae while fire ants have only 10 segments.

Habitat and Behavior

Big-headed ants, like all ants, establish well-defined trails between the nest and food and water sources. They feed on a wide variety of foods including dead insects, plant materials, and garbage. They are found of seeds, and are commonly found in homes where pet birds are located.  The workers are also partial to the sweet honeydew produced by aphids, scales, and mealybugs found feeding on many trees and plants. Big-headed ants are soil-nesting ants, most commonly found nesting outdoors beneath stones, logs, and landscape timbers. These ants also are commonly found inside the soil of potted plants, and many inside infestations may be traced to planters. In addition, big-headed ants may be found nesting beneath slab foundations and entering through cracks in the slab. On occasion, these ants will nest inside rotted wood or will excavate old termite-damaged wood to make a nest.

Control

Where the colonies cannot be found on the inside, baits such as Advance Carpenter Ant Bait Granual or Maxforce Complete may be attempted.  The use of indoor bait stations such as the Ant Cafe’s will preserve and protect baits.

Non-repellent insecticides such as Phantom, Alpine Foam, or Termidor Foam will also work well inside. These powerful non-repellent ingredients will allow pests to forage right over it and then spread it to the other colony members hidden behind walls or in their home colony, killing every other pest they come in contact with. These products are virtually odorless, clear in color and provides superior pest control with a long-lasting residual. Most are labeled to treat only cracks and crevices on the interior. See product labels for specific directions.

Colonies living inside wood can be treated by drilling into the wood where the galleries are located, and dusting the galleries and wood with a dust such as Delta Dust, Drione. Colonies living inside the eaves, soffits or other voids can also be treated with a dust. Use the Crusader or B&G Bulb Duster to apply your dusts or baits into those tight spots or hard to reach places. Note: Use only one crusader for each formulation. You don’t want to contaminate your bait with an insecticide.

Colonies that are found outdoors can be treated directly with just about any residual insecticide such as Tempo, CyKick, or Suspend.

You may also want to consider creating a treatment zone around, and on the exterior of the structure with a non-repellent insecticide such as Termidor, Phantom, or Alpine WSG. Non-repellents will allow ants passing through the treated area to pick up the active ingredient on their bodies and transfer it to other colony members through their normal social interactions. This transfer will enable you to control ants that may not come in direct contact with your treated zone. They only need to contact other ants that have been exposed to the insecticide.

Use the B&G Industrial sprayer to apply your spray concentrate insecticides.

Regular inspections and service are necessary to find and treat new colonies as they move in from neighboring properties. These perimeter treatments can keep your home or business pest free. We suggest a regular treatment on the exterior and yard with Alpine WSG.

Best Sellers for Ants

Ant Baits

-These different baits are labeled for most all common household ants.

Insect Bait Stations for Ants

Insecticide Concentrates for Ants

– These concentrates are mixed with water and used in a compressed hand held sprayer to make your application.

Aerosols & Ready to Use Products for Ants

These “ready to use” products are convenient and great for a contact kill and great for flushing out insects. Most offer great residual properties as well.

Dusts for Ants

Dusts are usually used to treat into cracks and crevices (such as in the crack between the wall baseboard and floor), in wall voids, cavities, attics or crawl spaces. Be sure that there is proper ventilation in the room and that you don’t over dust or dust in areas accessible by people.

Insecticide Granules for Ants

These “ready to use” granular crystals are convenient and great for a contact kill and have a great residual properties for the exterior. They fall down into and under landscape material such as turf, rock or mulch to target problem ants.

Regular inspections and service are necessary to find and treat new colonies as they move in from neighboring properties. These perimeter treatments can keep your home or business pest free. We suggest a regular treatment on the exterior and yard with Alpine WSG.

These tips will help prevent an ant infestation:

  • Seal cracks and holes in the exterior of the home to prevent ants and other pests from entering.
  • Keep vegetation cut away from the foundation of the home.
  • Avoid using items such as stones and landscape timbers next to the home’s foundation. Pavement ants nesting under these items are likely to infest the home.
  • Keep layers of mulch in landscape beds less than 2 inches thick and at least 12 inches away from the foundation.

Ant Solutions from BASF     Ant Solution Guide from Bayer     Ant ID Guide from Bayer