Argentine Ants (Linepithema humile)
I. Identification
- 1/16-1/2" long
II. Nesting Habits
- Rarely nest in single defined site
III. Feeding Habits
- Tend to eat aphids and feed on secreted honeydew
IV. Controls
- Locate and treat nests
- Single upright node between thorax and abdomen
- Uniform light brown to dark brown in color
- Stale, musty odor when crushed
- Nests are typically outside in moist areas; under boards, rocks, refuse sites, sidewalks/slabs, leaf litter, mulch
- Colony may consist of tens of thousands of workers with hundreds of queens
- In spring and summer, large nests may split into many smaller nests
- May move indoors during wet weather, droughts, or in absence of honeydew
- Also feed on meat, seeds and other insects
- Can forage day and night in "safari-like" ant trails
- Destroy other ants
- Dust crack and crevice areas
- Treat active trails
- Remove debris and restack firewood off the ground
- Locate and seal entry points
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