Argentine Ant
Iridomyrmex humilis, Mayr
As the population of these plant parasites increases, so does the damage it causes to your crops. Not only are they known to damage agriculture, but they are also known to damage air conditioners, heat pumps, telephone junction boxes, traffic lights, gasoline pumps, and so on. They are attracted by electrical currents and when they become lodged or electrocuted by these objects it can cause a malfunction.
RISK LEVEL:
LOW
MEDIUM
HIGH
Risk is defined as how much damage each pest can be to you, your family, or your home
- Look for congregations around spills, especially if sweet.
- May notice a foul smell if these ants are squashed.
- May notice these ants in electrical areas.
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| Class: | Order: | Family: | |
| Insecta | Hymenoptera | Formicidae | |
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| Size: | Argentine ant workers are about 1/16 in (2.2-2.6 mm) long. Queens are about 1/8-1/4 in (4-6 mm) long. |
| Color: | Light to dark brown |
| Characteristics: | Argentine ants have a small, uniform size and are a plain brown color. Their bodies are an uneven shape with a larger head and thin thorax. When squashed, they give off a stale scent. |
| Geographic Range: | Native to Argentina and Brazil, but probably brought to U.S. on coffee ships before 1891. Argentine ants are now found in southern U.S. and in California, with isolated infestations in Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Oregon, and Washington. |
| Food: | Argentine ants follow regular trails, and are often found outside near insects, such as aphids, that produce a honey-like secretion called honeydew. They like sweets best, but also feed on oil, fats, and meat. |
| Biology: | Colonies have many queens, and hundreds, or up to several thousand, workers. The numbers change depending upon the time of year. Overwintering nests are formed by colonies joining together. Different colonies get along with each other, but Argentine ants are aggressive towards other ant species and usually get rid of them. Mating takes place in the nest, so winged reproductive females are not often seen. Development from egg to adult takes an average of 74 days. |
Prevention Tips For
Ants
Ants
- Clean up spills immediately
- Reduce moisture in the building/home
- Keep food in sealed containers
- Keep bushes and plants trimmed away from the home/roof
- Replace mulch against building with pea gravel
- Re-caulk windows and doors as needed
It only takes a few minutes to start protecting your home today.
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