Argentine Ants

This is a summary of UGA-CAES Extension Circular 926.

Argentine ants are one of the most common nuisance insect pests in the southeastern United States. Worker ants are light brown and about three-sixteenths of an inch long (Figure 1). A mature colony of Argentine ants can consist of a million or more worker ants and hundreds of queens. Argentine ants form large colonies that consist of numerous nest sites that cover large foraging areas (often multiple properties). Ants may travel hundreds of feet from nest sites to feeding sites and other nest sites on well-organized foraging trails (Figure 2). Argentine ant trails have been measured in excess of 350 feet in Georgia.

Outdoors, Argentine ants most commonly nest in mulch (especially pine straw), leaf litter, compost piles, rotted logs, and under rocks, patio stones, potted plants, etc. Argentine ants need nest sites that remain moist even when the surrounding environment dries.

During the warm season, Argentine ants feed in the tops of trees and shrubs where they consume honeydew. Honeydew is the sugar-rich excrement produced by aphids and scale insects that feed on sugary plant sap.

Argentine ant infestations are often more common during uncommonly hot, dry summers. Warm temperatures probably lead to larger than normal ant populations. At the same time, dry conditions drive these populations to search for limited resources (especially water). Larger, more mobile ant populations increase the likelihood of ant-human encounters.

Late Season Populations. To survive the winter, Argentine ants commonly move into protected environments. In structures, for example, ants commonly move into voids and other places that provide a warm, stable environment. As spring temperatures return, Argentine ants move back into their preferred, outdoor nest sites where colonies grow steadily throughout the warm season. Argentine ant populations typically peak in late summer. By early winter, declining temperatures once again trigger ants to begin searching for protected overwintering sites, and the cycle repeats. To prevent large, late-season ant populations, and the resulting problems associated with winter infestations, begin management practices (especially outdoor baiting) in the spring and continue through the warm season.

Preventing Indoor Infestations. Because Argentine ants forage into shrubs and trees while collecting honeydew, keep all vegetation from touching outside walls, gutters, and all other parts of buildings. Vegetation that contacts buildings allows ants easy, direct access to the inside. Remove nest sites by cleaning up yard debris, such as leaf litter (even in gutters), and minimize the use of horticultural mulches. Property owners should commit to these practices early and use them in combination with chemical controls (below).

Treating Infestations. Before beginning chemically-based Argentine ant control, thoroughly inspect the indoor and outdoor premises to determine the extent and origin of the infestation. Identify the areas where chemical control approaches should be directed. During the warm season, many indoor infestations can be tracked to nests outside of the structure.

There are a number of approaches that can be used for treating existing Argentine ant infestations, but no single insecticide-based approach is completely effective. An integrated approach, therefore, that incorporates both chemical and non-chemical techniques is best suited for the management of this ant species. If chemical controls are utilized, it is important that property owners read and follow all pesticide label instructions, and never do more than what the label permits.

Baits are effective against ants because they share food in a behavior known as trophallaxis (Figure 3). Baits are composed of a toxicant incorporated into a food source that is palatable to Argentine ants. Place baits where ants are seen foraging inside and outside structures. Inside, place baits where ants are seen trailing, but out of reach of non-target organisms. Outdoors, place bait in areas where ants are known to nest or are seen trailing. Because colonies can be large and forage over large areas (often multiple properties), baiting Argentine ants often requires that a large quantity of bait be used (i.e., multiple placements).

Granular products are applied to nest sites such as mulch beds, leaf litter, etc. The weight of the granule allows the insecticide to reach deeper into treated areas, such as mulch, than would occur with a liquid spray treatment. After application, water in the granular insecticide. Like liquid sprays, granular products act by contact (ants do not eat granules) and may help repel foraging ants from treated areas.

Spray treatments with liquid insecticides should only be used outside where Argentine ants are found nesting. Generally, spray treatments are not needed indoors because most indoor infestations can be tracked to outdoor nest sites. When spraying, only ant nest sites or areas where ants are found entering the structure need treatment---e.g., around doors and windows, and inside and around wall and slab penetrations. Most importantly, nest sites in mulch should be exposed and sprayed directly. Nest sites are recognized by an abundance of eggs, larvae, pupae, and queens.

If property owners experience an ongoing battle with Argentine ants, they should consider hiring a pest management professional. In addition to specific knowledge and experience regarding Argentine ants and their control, pest management professionals also may utilize tools not available to the property owner.