The Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) is one of the world’s most invasive and problematic species of ant. It is native to Argentina and Brazil but is now present in a number of regions of New Zealand including Hawke’s Bay.
Argentine ants are of a light brown or honey colour as opposed to the dark colours of more common ants seen.
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Should you live within or near any of the known Argentine ant areas or suspect that you have this ant the best way to tell Argentine ants from other ant species is by their colour and the trails that they form. If nests are disturbed, large numbers of ants will immediately rush out to investigate, and swarm what has disturbed the nest.
Argentine ants can also be observed in the following areas and states:
- Along fences and garden walls travelling in trails 5 to 6 ants wide (often on the shaded side)
- In paved areas and cobbled areas, path edges
- Bark gardens and rockeries
- Under garden debris like compost, bricks, stones, wood and timber
- Potted plants, this is how they are commonly moved from house to house
- Rubbish bin areas
- Up trees tending to aphids and scale insects
- In body work of caravans, campervans, boats, cars and camping equipment
Argentine ant infestations are frequently not detected until they have reached the stage of becoming a human nuisance. By the time they have reached this level of infestation they are well established, impacting on the outdoor lifestyle that we are accustomed to here in Hawke’s Bay.
Left unchecked Argentine ants are able to reach very high densities as all Argentine ant colonies are genetically related. With a lack of in-fighting between colonies the species is able to form super colonies. Therefore this ant species can have a significant impact on lifestyle, horticulture and the environment.
They can also become a serious indoor pest as they often form trails into houses (especially kitchens) to get the food they require. They are very good at getting into screw top jars, microwaves and fridges.
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Because these ants “farm “aphids and scale insects this may lead to an increase of these species on your property. In the rural environment they could become a serious threat to pip and stone fruit as well as viticulture, citrus, and other commercially grown crops. They are especially a problem for organic growers.
Argentine ants are not poisonous, but they do bite and some people are allergic.
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Argentine ants invade and colonise areas in two ways through budding and jump dispersal.
Budding
Unlike many other ants, Argentine ant queens do not go on nuptial flights, so they form new nests within ant-walking distance of the old nest. Left to themselves colonies would increase by less than 200 meters a year.
Jump Dispersal
The ability to “hitch” a lift with humans makes the Argentine ant a challenge to control, especially when Argentine ants produce around ten times more queens than other species.
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Human assisted dispersal within suburbs, across a town and between neighbouring cities has essentially created a large number of small ant populations throughout Hawkes Bay and New Zealand. These are likely to act as centres for further expansion.
When moving items from known infested areas make sure that you are not assisting the spread of Argentine Ants to other sites. Make sure that you check pot plants and garden material as this is the most common way that the ants are spread easily and rapidly.
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Nests found on private land are the landowner’s responsibility. Hawkes Bay Regional Council does not carry to any ant control operations. However the Regional Council can provide contact details for contractors who are able deal with the ants in the most appropriate way. If you want to deal with the ants yourself see the Best Baiting guide. It is important that you follow the baiting guide with the correct bait’s that are available through Farmlands. Bait for other ants will not work on Argentine ants, in most cases it will only make control of Argentine ants a lot harder.
If you find nests on Regional Council, Department of Conservation or territorial authority land, advise the corresponding authority.
- Biosecurity New Zealand
- Landcare Research
- Fly Busters
IPM Pest Control Services Ltd
Ph 0800438476
JAE Services
Napier 068443772 or Hastings 068781123
ACE Eradicators
Napier 068441550 or Hastings 068760812