Argentine ant control

Characteristics

Size: About 1/8-inch long. Color: Brown. It is most often confused with the odorous house ant, but the node of the Argentine ant has a sharp, pointed peak, while that of the odorous house ant is flat in shape and is hidden by the gaster.

Habitat and Behavior

This species is common in the Southeastern US, and is a major problem in Southern California. A 1990 survey of urban pest ants in California showed this ant to comprise 25% of all samples collected. This ant nests outdoors under items on the ground, within landscape mulch, beneath loose bark on trees, under ground cover, in potted plants, and within piles of items, such as lumber, firewood, or under slabs of homes. Like the odorous house ant, the argentine ant may nest indoors, in walls, beneath carpeting, and other suitable voids or spaces. Argentine Ants may develop super huge colonies containing thousands of workers and possibly thousands of queens. This species may be one of the most difficult to control. One reason these ants are so successful is due to the fact that worker ants of individual colonies are friendly towards one another, and colonies will join together to form super colonies. When argentine ant colonies are killed or removed from the area, they can be quickly repopulated by ants from colonies on neighboring properties. An Argentine ant colony can suffer the loss of 99% of the colony’s individuals, and the colony can still survive and rebuild. No significant natural enemy of this species currently exists in the United States.

Control

If you are experiencing an ant problem on the interior, you should consider starting with the creation of 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.

Termidor SC can be sprayed along the foundation exterior perimeter (1 foot up and 1 foot out from where the ground meets the foundation) as well as a surface spray (up to 18 inches in width) around doors, windows, vents, eaves, pipes or any other exterior openings.

Argentine Ants Taking Advance Carpenter Ant Bait

Once you have your exterior treatment zone established, seek out and destroy ant colonies that are off the structure. In the yard, products such as Alpine WSG, can be directly applied to foraging trails, ant nests or mounds where ants are present. It can be applied to lawns, yards, landscaping, structures and impervious surfaces. Ant baits such as Advance Carpenter Ant Bait, Advance 375, Maxforce Complete, can be applied to areas where ants are foraging. Maybe even try installing Antopia Ant Bait Stations on the exterior where ants are commonly seen foraging.

On the interior, Alpine WSG insecticide can be used for spot, or crack and crevice applications where ants may be foraging such as doors, windows, under sinks, around pipes and other areas. Termidor Foam can also be used in voids where ants are foraging. You may also try baits such as Advance Carpenter Ant Bait, Advance 375, Maxforce Complete, or Maxforce Gel. They can be applied to areas where ants are foraging. Ant Cafe’s can also be used to hold and protect your bait on the inside.

Other formulations may provide you with success on both the interior and exterior. Granular insecticides such as Talstar PL provide a great contact kill and have excellent residual properties for the exterior. They fall down into and under landscape material such as turf, rock or mulch to target problem ants.

Also consider dusts, baits, aerosols, or other spray concentrates for your particular needs. 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.

Argentine ant control

Control

Argentine Ants Taking Advance Carpenter Ant Bait

Best Selling for Argentine Ants

Ant Baits

Insect Bait Stations for Ants

Insecticide Concentrates for Ants

Aerosols & Ready to Use Products for Ants

Dusts for Ants

Insecticide Granules for Ants

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