Invasive Argentine Ants

Argentine ants have been said to be one of the most invasive ant species on the planet. In just one century, they invaded every continent, save Antarctica alone. They came to the United States in the 1890’s as stowaways on massive barges carrying sugar and coffee. These determined insects grow their nests faster than other species as the queen lays more ants in comparison at a rate of 60 or more per day. Argentine ants can live up to 7 years and have unlike other species, can have hundreds of queens in one colony so if you have many queen ant, each laying more than 180 eggs each month, imagine the exponential power of growth an Argentine ant nest in your house can have. The results would be nothing but years of aggravation and frustration until you call in your professional friends at Pointe Pest Control.

General Information

Argentine ants are small, only 1/12 to ⅛ inch long and dark brown in color. The worker ant is the most commonly spotted in an ant infestation as their job is to bring back food to the nest. They have antennae with 12 segments and there is a single node separating their abdomen and thorax. If these ants are ever crushed, they emit a musty, unpleasant odor. The queen is rather extraordinary as she only has to mate with a winged, male ant once to produce enough fertile eggs to last her 10 years. These ants are also a hardy species and can survive in conditions where other ants cannot. Argentine ants are known to be very mobile and will pick up and move the entire colony to a safer place.

The Signs of an Infestation

The biggest sign of an infestation is the visual sign of these ants. You may start to only notice a few here and there. But then you’ll soon see more and more and even more of them as they send scent signals to their colony. As the infestation grows, you will constantly be fighting to keep them out of your kitchen, bathroom, pet food and soon every square inch of your home. They are persistent. If you haven’t gathered after reading all this information about Argentine ants, if this species infests in or around your home, it is nearly impossible to get rid of without continued, expert help from pest control specialists who are trained in the best methods and approaches of attack. You will be fighting a constant uphill battle without their help.

Treatment

For Argentine ants, there is a specific method and Pointe Pest Control technicians use only the safest ant control for your family and pets, but target these insect right where it hurts, the heart of the nest. You cannot go for a spray approach when you see these ants because all you will get are the foraging workers. Any ants that were not harmed, will quickly send messages back to the rest of the hive that danger is afoot and you could ensue a panic among the hive that will cause them to move and make the problem worse. Pointe Pest Control is here for you, we can help you remove the infestation carefully and the right way the first time.