Argentine ant

Argentine ants range from brown to dark brown and from 2-3mm to 10-12mm long. They prey on invertebrates and compete with birds for food as well as invading gardens and buildings.

Description

• Workers are uniformly light brown, wingless and around 2-3mm long.
• Often have established ant trails and readily climb trees.
• Queens are dark brown and larger, around 10-12mm long.
• Dispersal is mainly human-induced by the movement of contaminated pot plants, soil, vehicles, machinery, and packages.
• Habitats include urban areas, open areas, coastal areas, shrublands, grasslands, and forest edges.

What you need to know

Forms aggressive supercolonies that work together to prey on and displace invertebrates, compete with birds for food and may prey upon bird hatchlings in nests. Invades gardens and buildings. Protects horticultural pest insects from predation, kills poultry hatchlings, robs beehives and interferes with pest plant biocontrol.

Management approach

Community Led

These organisms have not been legally declared as pests but may be of interest to the public as they occur regularly in the environment. They may be capable of causing adverse effects to the values of Waitaha/Canterbury.

Control

Check for ants before moving potted plants. You can do this by submerging the plant in water for two minutes. Check camping gear, garden soil, bark, building materials, vehicles and vessels for ants before you move them.

Chemical control

Do not disturb the ant trails. Use fipronil-based baits and pesticides for Argentine ants in outside areas with multiple bait stations near established ant trails as nests can extend hundreds of metres.

Paste or gel baits should be placed out of the sun to prolong their life.

Regularly monitor bait stations and replace baits as required.

Alternatively, contact your local pest control contractor.

Caution: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.

Biological control

Biological control is currently not available for this species.