Argentine Ant
Linepithema humile
About the argentine ant
Argentine ants are an invasive species that has spread across the southern US. They form enormous supercolonies that can stretch across entire neighborhoods, displacing nearly all native ant species along the way. They follow distinct foraging trails to sweets indoors and tend aphid populations outdoors (which makes plant pests worse). Controlling them requires slow-acting sugar-based baits and persistent perimeter treatment — quick sprays don't work.
Quick ID
2.5–3 mm uniform light-brown body, single waist segment, no stinger.
In the Triangle
Present in southern NC; in the Triangle they appear sporadically but can establish in landscaping mulch beds.
Think you have argentine ants?
Free inspection from a licensed Castle Exterminators technician — Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Cary & the Triangle. We'll confirm the species and recommend a treatment plan.
Request Free Inspection (919) 606-8686
