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Pest Control for your business
Ant Control for Commercial Premises
Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) are one of the most persistent pests found across the southern and western United States. These small, fast-moving insects build massive supercolonies made up of multiple nests that cooperate instead of competing. That’s part of what makes them so difficult to manage.
Read more to learn about their habits, where they live, what they eat, and how ant control can help reduce their presence around your home.
What are Argentine ants?
Argentine ants are a fast-spreading invasive species known for forming massive colonies that can stretch across neighborhoods. Native to South America, these pests have made themselves at home in much of the southern United States.
These insects are tough to control once established. With their ability to adapt and survive in urban, suburban, and rural areas, Argentine ants are one of the more persistent ant types we come across.
Key characteristics
Argentine ants' size can make them hard to spot. These pests are usually small, and their coloring often blends in with soil and natural debris. Despite their small size, their colonies are large and active, which can make them more noticeable over time.
- Workers about 1/16" long.
- Ranging from light to dark brown.
- Do not swarm.
- Argentine ants bite – they do not sting.
The lifecycle of Argentine ants
The Argentine ant queen plays a key role in the rapid growth of a colony. Unlike many ant species, Argentine ants often have multiple queens in one nest, each laying eggs. This makes the colony grow quickly, especially in warmer months.
Here's a breakdown of their life stages:
- Worker ants are produced in spring and increase in numbers up until autumn.
- Winged ants, (reproductive kings and queens), are produced in early spring, before the workers mature within three months and mate soon afterwards.
- Argentine ants mate in their nest so no swarming is seen.
Seasonal behaviors of Argentine ants
During spring and summer, Argentine ants become more active as temperatures rise. This is when you’ll likely spot them foraging in large numbers, especially in kitchens, pantries, and around outdoor trash bins. In cooler months, they move indoors, seeking warmth and moisture.
They don’t hibernate, so once they find a suitable indoor location, they’ll continue to grow their colony through fall and winter. Their ability to adapt across seasons is a big reason why Argentine ants can be challenging to control without professional help.
Habitat and diet of Argentine ants
Argentine ants tend to settle near buildings, inside walls, or beneath concrete slabs—where it’s warm, damp, and they are hidden safely. They often build nests in moist environments like mulch beds, potted plants, and under appliances indoors.
Here's a breakdown of their habits and diet:
- Worker ants will follow food trails for long distances so nests are not easy to track.
- They prefer sweet foods but will also eat live and dead insects, meats, cereals and damaged fruit.
- Argentine ants drive out other ant species from an area.
Preferred environments
You’ll find Argentine ants in areas with easy access to food and water. Indoors, they often appear in kitchens and bathrooms. Outdoors, they prefer shaded spots with consistent moisture, like garden beds or along foundations. Once they establish a nest, they’ll spread rapidly.
What do Argentine ants eat?
Argentine ants are opportunistic feeders. Their diet includes a mix of sugars and proteins, which means they’ll go after anything from plant nectar and fruit to small insects and leftover food scraps. Indoors, they’re most active in kitchens and pantries where they can find sweet or greasy foods. Outdoors, they often feed on honeydew produced by aphids and other soft-bodied pests.
Managing Argentine ants
Once Argentine ants settle near or inside a home, they can be difficult to manage without a targeted approach. Because they often form large colonies with multiple nests, surface-level treatments or spot cleaning likely won’t be enough. Long-term control starts with identifying the source of the activity and putting the right steps in place to reduce their access to food, water, and entry points.
Preventing infestations
To help keep Argentine ants out, seal cracks and entry points around your home. Store food in sealed containers, clean up crumbs quickly, and fix leaks that create damp spots. Outside, clear away mulch and wood piles near the house. Keeping plants trimmed back from walls also helps.
Even with these steps, Argentine ant control may require more than prevention. Their colonies are large and often hidden deep within walls or soil, making them hard to eliminate with basic methods.
Effective Argentine ant control methods
The most effective way to target an Argentine ant colony is by using ant bait. However, DIY baiting may not reach the entire colony, especially if multiple nests are connected. For more reliable argentine ant extermination, it’s best to bring in professionals like Presto-X. We have the tools and experience to locate the root of the problem and apply targeted solutions.
How to get rid of ants in your home.
For more information about common ants, see our pages on garden ants and white footed ants.
Frequently asked questions
Argentine ants form large colonies, spread quickly, and displace native ant species. Indoors, they’re a common pest looking for food and water.
They’re small (about 1/16"), light to dark brown, and don’t swarm. You’ll often see long foraging trails near sweet food or water sources.
You can try baits, but professional treatment is often needed for full argentine ant extermination. DIY methods may not reach the entire colony.
They’re common in the southern and western states, especially in areas with warm climates and access to moisture.