Argentine Ant

Key Biology

• One node
• Monomorphic
• 1/8 inch long
• Unevenly rounded thorax, usually no hairless
• 12 segments on antenna, first segment same length as the head
• No circle of hairs on abdomen
• Brown, light brown
• Well developed compound eyes
• Look for small, smooth ants with sharp knots

Distribution

• Nests in soil, in walls, basements, greenhouses, may move indoors in winter
• Very active, usually travel usually in large columns
• The most annoying and destructive household insect, capable of getting into everything indoors, even preventing people from sleeping
• Found under stones, concrete slabs, logs, debris, firewood
• Found also in tree holes, bird nests, leaf litter and bee hives
• Odor when crushed is faintly greasy or musty