| Appearance |
 Brown
to light brown;
shiny. About 1/10-inch long. |
| Habitat |
|
Argentine ant colonies live in moist
areas near a food source, often in damp soil next to buildings, along sidewalks
or beneath boards. They deposit trails continuously to ensure they do not waste
time visiting the same area for food. When outdoor conditions are too wet or
dry, Argentine ants invade buildings by trailing along plumbing pipes and shrub
branches, utility lines and wires. They are very aggressive and will drive out
native species of ants, making argentine
ant control difficult. |
| Diet |
|
Argentine ants are omnivorous; they prefer sweet foods
such as the "honeydew" produced by aphids and mealybugs, but
will eat almost anything, including meats, eggs, oils and fats.
|
| Control |
|
When
argentine ant colonies are eliminated, new colonies may quickly take their
place. Argentine ant control is a
multi-step process, involving finding and treating existing colonies, sealing
possible entries, and applying ant
control perimeter treatments. |
|
