The Argentine ant or the Linepithema humile, (formerly Iridomyrmex humilis) is commonly found in Uruguay, North America, Paraguay and Brazil. However, they now have spread to many other areas including South America, Australia, etc. these light-brown creatures are found in most of the homes in America. As the name suggests Argentine ants are natives of Argentina. However, they were transported to different areas through coffee ships before 1891.
These ants can be seen everywhere from offices to agricultural lands. However, they are a threat to the crops also to air conditioners, heaters, telephone box, heat pumps, traffic lights, etc. these are considered to be one of the most damaging pests’ in the world which are slowly spreading to the warmer regions.
How to identify Argentine ants is an important and tricky question as before trying out the ways of getting rid of them, we need to know which species of ants we are going to treat.
The colony has a number of fertile queens (unlike the other ant species) with whom the mating takes place inside the nests. So these queens are seen seldom as they remain inside the nest for the maximum time.
When squashed these Argentine ants give a greasy or musty odor unlike the odorless ants of other genus.
The Argentine ants prefer to live in large colonies. One can find millions of ants in a colony, when foraging, they move in trails. Given that they crawl over everything that comes in their way they are one of the largest carriers of the disease dysentery.
The worker Argentine ants are too aggressive and have a tendency of biting ants of other species as well such that if they find them nearby or in their region, they would eliminate them.
The Argentine nests almost everywhere, they rapidly enter your house through cracks on doors and windows. Their scent or pheromone that they leave behind when foraging is not just limited from their nest to the food source area. They leave their smell at any place that has been explored by them.
Until now, you must have been able to how to identify Argentine ants. However, their large number at a particular place makes it almost impossible to get rid of them with the help of home remedies. Therefore, professional help is suggested.
These ants can be seen everywhere from offices to agricultural lands. However, they are a threat to the crops also to air conditioners, heaters, telephone box, heat pumps, traffic lights, etc. these are considered to be one of the most damaging pests’ in the world which are slowly spreading to the warmer regions.
How to identify Argentine ants is an important and tricky question as before trying out the ways of getting rid of them, we need to know which species of ants we are going to treat.
Characteristics
Workers are of the same size, i.e., 1/12 to 1/8 inch long. However, the queen is 1/6 to 1/4 inch long.The colony has a number of fertile queens (unlike the other ant species) with whom the mating takes place inside the nests. So these queens are seen seldom as they remain inside the nest for the maximum time.
Body structure
All have same color, dull brown. Their main body characteristic which makes it easier for you to how to identify Argentine ants is the uneven shape of the body. The head of the Argentine ants is larger than the thorax which is comparatively very thin.Clypeus
All the Argentine ants have a distinct teeth pattern on their mandibles and their face or the clypeus bears an unusual shape.Body hair
You can also spot out the difference between an ant of another category and the Argentine ant by checking out the hair present on its body. The Argentine ant is observed to have the least amount of hair on its body as compared to other ants of the genus. These ants lack hair on their dorsal surface.Eyes
Eyes are again another distinctive feature, which helps in how to identify Argentine ants. They usually have biggest eyes in the whole ant species.When squashed these Argentine ants give a greasy or musty odor unlike the odorless ants of other genus.
Food habits
These ants usually prefer sweet foods like syrup, sugar, juices, honeydew, plant secretion, etc. They also have a fancy for oil, fat and meat.Habitat
The Argentine ants become super active in summers and are found everywhere including buildings, garden, yards, garage, etc. Usually they prefer living in soil. However, when the outside atmosphere becomes wet and damp, they invade building in swamps. These ants are very well adapted to urban and sub urban areas.The Argentine ants prefer to live in large colonies. One can find millions of ants in a colony, when foraging, they move in trails. Given that they crawl over everything that comes in their way they are one of the largest carriers of the disease dysentery.
The worker Argentine ants are too aggressive and have a tendency of biting ants of other species as well such that if they find them nearby or in their region, they would eliminate them.
The Argentine nests almost everywhere, they rapidly enter your house through cracks on doors and windows. Their scent or pheromone that they leave behind when foraging is not just limited from their nest to the food source area. They leave their smell at any place that has been explored by them.
Until now, you must have been able to how to identify Argentine ants. However, their large number at a particular place makes it almost impossible to get rid of them with the help of home remedies. Therefore, professional help is suggested.
How to Identify Argentine Ants
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