Argentine Ants

What do Argentine ants look like?

Argentine ant workers are slender and small, measuring about ⅛ of an inch in length. You may distinguish them from other ants by considering their color and body features.

Color: They appear light to dark brown and do not have the black or reddish coloration found in other ant species.

Stinger: These ants do not have a stinger on the end of the abdomen.

‍Petiole: Argentine ants have only one node between the thorax and abdomen. Keep in mind that they are not the only ants with one node.

‍Uniformity: Worker ants are monomorphic, meaning they’re all a similar size. You won’t find major and minor workers in an Argentine ant colony.

‍

You may also distinguish Argentine ants by movement and scent.

‍Movement: They commonly create thick ant trails, often three ants wide.

‍Scent: They smell musty when crushed underfoot.

It isn’t easy to tell ants apart, even when you know what features to consider. For assistance with identifying ants in the Phoenix area, contact your Termio Pest Control service team.

‍

What do Argentine ants eat?

Argentine ants are opportunistic feeders. Their preference is for sweet foods that are rich in protein. Here are some examples of foods they would love to find in your yard or home:

• Honeydew from aphids and scale insects
• Nectar from flowering weeds
• Fruit juices
• Sugar granules
• Insects, both alive and dead
• Meat scraps in the trash
• Pet food
• Grease and oil on the sides of an oven
• Crumbs

While Argentine ants are always looking for food, they also enter homes searching for water. They are more likely to head indoors when the outdoors becomes dry.

Where do Argentine ants typically nest in and around homes?

These ants nest under rocks, wood, and other natural materials in yards. They’ll also nest underneath man-made materials such as concrete and asphalt. When indoors, they nest primarily in wall and ceiling voids, structural cavities, appliances, and cabinet voids. Take note: Argentine ant nests often expand quickly during monsoon season, as moisture is critical for population growth.

Do Argentine ants cause harm or damage?

There is good news and bad news about these ants. The good news is that they don’t sting like fire ants or damage wood like carpenter ants. The bad news is that they can cause other kinds of trouble.

• They can get into and contaminate stored foods.
• They may create cracks in foundations by excavating soil beneath to create shallow nests.
• They may increase damage to landscape plants by protecting aphids and other insects that produce honeydew.

In most cases, Argentine ants are just a persistent nuisance. There are worse ants in Phoenix.  

What attracts Argentine ants to homes?

These ants look for soil to nest in and ground cover for protection. A yard with clutter, particularly organic materials, can attract these ants. They also look for the following:

• Sweet natural foods like honeydew and nectar
• Protein from dead insects
• Leftovers in open trash receptacles
• Water sources

When they come for food, water, and nesting options, they’re likely to find their way indoors, especially during the monsoon season when their nests are growing or when flooding displaces them from their nests.

How do Argentine ants get inside?

These ants enter through cracks and gaps. Here are a few common entry points to consider:

• Foundation gaps
• Gaps around utility lines
• Damaged screens and window or door frames
• Damaged weatherstripping or sweeps
• Gaps or holes created by damaged building materials
• Gaps around damaged electrical fixtures
• Unprotected vents
• Unprotected open doors or windows

Argentine ants can quickly mobilize an army when they detect an opening in a house.

What are the signs of an Argentine ant infestation?

You'll likely know if you have Argentine ants in your Phoenix area home. You’ll see:

• Visible ant trails
• Ants swarming in your kitchen or pantry
• Soil leaking out of baseboards or wall cracks

Argentine ants create interconnected colonies and work together in large supercolonies, which makes infestation more noticeable. 

Why are Argentine ants so difficult to control?

There are a few reasons why these ants are tough to control.

• Large individual colonies: One colony can have millions of ants.
• Supercolonies: Each colony works with other colonies in the area.
• Multiple queens: When a colony is threatened, the queens may move and create new colonies, a process called budding.
• These are robust and adaptable ants: If a nest is destroyed, the remaining ants can work together to create another nest.

You’ll have your work cut out for you if you go up against these ants.

Can I get rid of Argentine ants using DIY methods?

We wouldn’t recommend this. DIY ant control often fails with Argentine ants for the reasons listed above. Here are a few more challenges:

• Sprayed products only eliminate ants on contact and do not address hidden workers or the nest itself.
• Argentine ants can learn to ignore bait.
• If you don’t address all of the ant colonies in the area, neighboring colonies can replace the colony that began the infestation.

How do you get rid of Argentine ants? 

Are you in the Phoenix area? Contact Termio Pest Control to learn about our year-round home pest control services that target Argentine ants and other house-infesting pests. 

How can I prevent Argentine ants? 

To prevent Argentine ants from infesting your home, we recommend the following ant prevention tips: 

• Eliminate moisture sources: Fix leaky pipes, faucets, and other moisture issues in and around your home. 
• Seal all openings: Inspect your home for cracks, gaps, and other openings and seal them using caulk, weather-stripping, or other pest-proofing materials. 
• Keep your home clean: Regularly sweep, vacuum, and mop to remove food particles and spills on the floor and disinfect counters and other food preparation areas. 
• Keep food sealed: Store food in airtight containers. 
• Manage trash properly: Use sealed trash bins and take out the garbage regularly. 
• Remove outdoor attractants: Trim vegetation away from your home and keep mulch, firewood, and debris away from the foundation.