Argentine
Ants: Will Migrate Indoors
If you live in the southern U.S. or California, you may already know about a small, dark brown ant known as the Argentine ant. Although these ants are not common in northern states, infestations sometimes occur there, often associated with transported or moved items such as lumber or potted plants. Outside, Argentine ants nest in or under almost any material or structure including: soil, mulches, tree holes, stones, concrete slabs, roof tiles, logs, leaf litter or other debris. They are very aggressive by nature and can drive out almost every other ant species from a site. Argentine ant colonies can have multiple queens and can contain 50,000-600,000 individuals. These ants are omnivorous and will feed on any accessible food source, but prefer sweets and fruits.
Cool weather and heavy rains can sometimes cause Argentine ant colonies to migrate indoors. They enter through exterior cracks and weep holes of homes and nest in wall voids, under carpets, and in insulation. By limiting moisture availability and sealing up obvious cracks and crevices inside and outside your home, you can help minimize their access to food, nest sites, and foraging areas in your home. Outside, keep branches and twigs cut several inches away from the house roof and walls. An Argentite ant colony can suffer the loss of up to 99% of its members and still survive and rebuild. Only about 10% of a colony’s workers will be actively foraging outside their nest at any given time, so killing ants found along the trails may not even make a dent in their population, and can cause them to move their nests before they can be found and adequately controlled. Argentine ant control can be difficult and tricky, and should be left to pest management professionals.