What Is Argentine Ants?

Argentine ants are native to Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and southern Brazil. They are one of the most invasive species found in various places worldwide. It is common to see these ants in South Africa, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, the United States and Europe.

Argentine ants undergo a developmental procedure known as complete metamorphosis, just like all other ant species. The development time may vary depending on the temperature. However, on average, their eggs hatch within 28 days and the ant reach adulthood within 74 days.

Identification

Argentine ant workers are ordinary-looking and light to dark brown. These creatures are tiny and measure 2.2 to 2.8mm in length. You may always find the worker ants moving in well-defined trails. If crushes, these ants will emit a musty odour.

The Argentine queen ants are bigger than the worker ants and measure about 4 to 6mm long. While the ant workers are wingless, the reproductive ants may have wings.

Habitat

Argentine ants prefer to live below woods, logs, and debris. They can be found in soil, too, as they like to nest in holes at the bottom of shrubs and trees. They build shallow nests that aren’t deeper than 20 cm.

Life Cycle

Female Argentine ants lay white eggs. The larvae emerge from these eggs after about 28 days and reach adulthood within 74 days.

Signs of an Argentine Ant Infestation

Seeing wide trails on ants is a common sign of an Argentine ant infestation. You may see these ants travelling up the trees, buildings or into homes.

Preventing Argentine Ants

While taking precautions cannot guarantee the complete prevention of Argentine ants, they are likely to reduce their chances of entering your property. 

  • Clear the clutter around your property by removing unused building materials and piles of fallen leaves. Avoid storing firewood near your home, as this can be an attraction for Argentine ants.
  • Regularly trim trees and bushes outside your property, as ants can climb on them to get into your home.
  • Try to minimise areas of moisture around your property. You can do so by not overwatering your plants, ensuring your gutters work correctly, and fixing any leaky pipes immediately.
  • Always keep food in sealed containers or the refrigerator. Avoid leaving food leftovers on counters or tables.
  • If there are any cracks and crevices in your home’s foundation, seal them right away

Handover the Responsibility of Removing Argentine Ants to Us

At Tom’s Pest Control, we take our job seriously, so when you hire us for ant removal services, we give 100%. First, we assess your property thoroughly to check how many colonies the Argentine ants have made in various nooks and crannies.

Since we have removed ants from multiple homes and offices for years, we know exactly where to look for them. Next, our team will examine the foundation of your property walls, roofs, kitchens, and garden areas to check 0the level of infestation. Depending on our findings, we will implement the right ant removal strategies to get rid of these pests.

Our technicians are trained to carry out the procedure safely and effectively. So, even if your home has pets and kids, you can count on us to carry out the extermination procedure carefully. No matter how large the infestation is, we will remove all the ants from your property without causing any harm to you, your family or your home.

Call Us

If you have noticed an influx of Argentine ants in your house or business, it is time to call in the professionals at Tom’s Pest Control. Our experienced staff have the right tools and know-how to quickly assess and eliminate the problem, so don’t hesitate to reach out with any concerns or worries.

At Tom’s Pest Control Melbourne, we understand that pests can be troublesome and stressful; that’s why we take steps to ensure timely and effective solutions every time. So don’t wait – give us a call today and see how our expert pest control can help protect your home or business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Do Argentine Ants Nest?

Argentine ants that stay outdoors build shallow nests along sidewalks, buildings, and below plants, logs, and stones. These creatures like to build their nests in moist soil that is in proximity to various food sources. Once they enter your homes, they are likely to nest behind walls, large appliances, or below floors.

What Kind of Threat Do Argentine Ants Pose?

Argentine ants pose a significant risk to public health. Not only do they invade homes, yards, and parks seeking food and water, but they also crawl through sewers, garbage cans, and other unsanitary areas while searching for their next meal.

This increases the likelihood of them tracking in dirt, bacteria, and viruses that can spread diseases such as salmonella or e-coli in your home. It’s wise to take preventative measures against Argentine ants so you don’t unknowingly put yourself at risk for disease due to their presence.

What Do Argentine Ants Eat?

Argentine ants are omnivorous, which means they can eat anything they find. However, they are known to be fond of sweet foods. So, if you drop candy or jam in your home, you will likely find a trail of Argentine ants carrying this food to their nests.