Argentine Ant

Linepithima humile

Appearance

Image of Argentine Ant (Linepithima humile) | Rentokil Pest Control Australia
  • Workers about 1/16"long.
  • Light to dark brown in colour.
  • Do not swarm.
  • Bite – do not sting.

Lifecycle

  • Worker ants produced in Spring and increase in numbers up until autumn.
  • Winged ants, (reproductive Kings and Queens), produced in early Spring, before the workers, mature within three months and mate soon afterwards.
  • Argentine ants mate in their nest so no swarming is seen.

Habits

  • Worker ants will follow food trails for long distances so nests are not easy to track.
  • They prefer sweet foods but will also eat live and dead insects, meats, cereals and damaged fruit.
  • Argentine ants drive out other ant species from an area.