Notorious for pilfering sugary crumbs in the pantry or delivering painful pinches if people get too close, people in Las Vegas are well acquainted with ants. Though it usually takes a close inspection to discern types, since ants are relatively tiny, they still share fairly identifiable characteristics. Throughout Southern Nevada, the most common ant species include fire ants, black ants, argentine ants, acrobat ants, odorous house ants, and carpenter ants. Though there are many ants in the Vegas Valley, we at Pre-Empt Pest Control would like to take the opportunity to elaborate on Argentine Ants.
Argentine Ant Identification
Argentine ants feature 12 segments on their antennae, range from light to dark brown in color, and measure approximately 0.06–0.11 inches in length on average. These ants are an aggressive invasive species and are known for displacing native ants. Argentine ants are also a major nuisance, being a home-infesting pest. They are attracted to moist areas such as mulch and are commonly found beneath piles and debris on the ground, and near home foundations. The pests may use gaps and cracks around the house to retreat inside to escape the cool weather in the fall.
Argentine Ants Supercolony
Argentine ant nests support multiple queens, resulting in rapid reproducing rate, their colonies are enormous having hundreds of thousands of workers. They spread bacteria wherever they go since they are drawn to decay and waste. In given enough time; their interconnecting colony networks become a massive infestation. The most visible sign of Argentine ants is seeing their trails as they forage. You can see their marching trails traversing up trees, buildings, and even into homes. Argentine ants can nest in a plethora of locations and habitats as they are exceptionally adaptable. Hundreds of queens rule these massive colonies. Argentine ants will nest generally entail moist soil, next to or under buildings and along sidewalks or beneath boards are a few instances. They will travel in trails as they collect food and prefer sweets. Argentine ants are omnivorous and will eat anything. The soil found under logs, debris or mulch as well as wood, as previously mentioned, are easy places for Argentine ants to live. Common places they nest also include at the base of shrubs and trees. Argentine ants are the same size and will feed on sweets, honeydew and oily household foods. Argentine ants do not establish new nests through swarming, though other ant species have seasonal nuptial swarming. Argentine ant will leave her nest on foot and they mate inside the nest to establish new colonies due to temperature or colony pressures a queen. Often connected to the original colony workers are sometimes shared because new nests are constructed around the original. These ants can be a challenge to get rid since their numbers and the many queens and connecting colonies.
Ant Inspections, Control, Management & More in Aliante, Centennial Hills, Cimarron Springs, Desert Shores, Iron Mountain Ranch, Lone Mountain, Mountain Shadows, Peccole Ranch, Skypointe, Summerlin, Summerlin South, The Lakes, West Sahara & Greater Northwest Las Vegas, NV
Should you suspect or know you have Argentine ants in or around your home contact Pre-Empt Pest Control. We use effective premium products to ensure these pests are completely eliminate, our trained professionals handle the Argentine ants invading your home.
