What Are Argentine Ants and How Do I Get Rid of Them? – Hawx Pest Control

Argentine ants may look like ordinary household ants, but they’re anything but. These invasive pests are originally from South America but have spread around the globe—and they’re especially problematic in warm-climate regions like California. Because they’re non-native, they disrupt local ecosystems, outcompete native ant species, and can threaten other insects, birds, and even plants.

If you’ve spotted small brown or black ants marching through your kitchen or garden, it’s worth taking a closer look. Below, we break down the essentials of Argentine ants, how they behave, and what you can do to get rid of them.

What are Argentine ants?

Argentine ants were likely introduced to the U.S. in the 1800s through trade routes—possibly via a coffee shipment to New Orleans from Brazil. Since then, they’ve made themselves at home, thriving in mild climates across the southern U.S., particularly in California.

Argentine ants look fairly similar to other ants: six legs, brown or black in color, oval-shaped bodies, and antennae. One unique trait? When crushed, Argentine ants emit a strong, musty odor, similar to odorous ants. 

These ants build small, shallow nests in sheltered areas like soil, mulch, under woodpiles, or debris. Each nest includes multiple queens and hundreds of worker ants. While a single Argentine queen ant can live for years, workers may live up to 12 months. Over time, nests spread and cooperate, forming vast supercolonies that are incredibly hard to get rid of.

What do Argentine ants eat?

The Argentine ant’s preferred food is honeydew—no, not the fruit, but rather a sugary substance excreted by aphids and mealybugs—but they aren’t picky. Indoors, Argentine ants are attracted to sugary foods, greasy leftovers, pet food, meats, and dead insects.

To keep your home less appealing, always store food in sealed containers, clean up spills promptly, and avoid leaving pet bowls out overnight.

Are Argentine ants dangerous?

While Argentine ants don’t sting, they can bite—but their bite isn’t painful. The real issue is their potential to spread bacteria across surfaces, contaminating food prep areas and kitchen counters. That alone is reason to act quickly when you spot an infestation.

They’re also harmful to their environment. Argentine ants aggressively displace native ant species, threaten bird nests and hatchlings, and interfere with natural pollination by disrupting insect populations.

Argentine ants in California

In California, Argentine ants are among the most widespread and difficult-to-control pests. The mild climate closely mirrors their native habitat, allowing them to thrive throughout the year. In fact, their aggressive behavior toward native species has made them one of the biggest ecological threats to the region’s insect population.

Signs of an Argentine Ant Infestation

How do you know you have an Argentine ant problem? Here are a few key signs to watch for:

• Long, persistent ant trails, often appearing in warm months from January to June
  
• Clusters of ants near food, trash bins, or pet food bowls
  
• Nests in soil, under stones, or in mulch near foundations
  
• Musty odor when ants are crushed
• Sudden spike in ant activity after rainfall or irrigation

How to get rid of Argentine ants

To get rid of Argentine ants, you’ll need to address both their indoor and outdoor activity. Here’s how to do it:

1. Track ant trails to identify nest locations or entry points. 
2. Eliminate attractants by storing food properly and cleaning up spills. 
3. Seal cracks in your home’s foundation, baseboards, windows, and doors. 
4. Apply bait strategically, allowing ants to carry poison back to the colony. 
5. Treat outdoor nests with insecticide, when possible.

Because Argentine ant colonies are massive and interconnected, DIY methods often fall short of being effective. Professional Argentine ant control services can locate satellite nests and apply targeted treatments to eliminate the entire supercolony for good.

How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Argentine Ants?

Eliminating a full infestation can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the extent of the infestation. Surface-level treatments may temporarily reduce visible ants, but full colony removal requires a long-term strategy and professional-grade solutions.

Call Hawx for Proven Argentine Ant Control

When left untreated, Argentine ants can overrun your home and yard, spread bacteria, and displace native species in your environment. Don’t let these tiny invaders take over your space.

At Hawx Pest Control, we specialize in detecting, treating, and preventing Argentine ant infestations. Our expert team knows how to find hidden nests, disrupt colony growth, and apply long-term solutions that keep ants away for good.

Ready to take control? Call Hawx today for a free estimate and let us help you get rid of Argentine ants and prevent them from coming back.