The Supercolony Next Door: Argentine Ants and How to Shut Them Down
When most ants show up in your home, you’re dealing with a small colony that can usually be managed with quick treatments. Argentine ants are different. They don’t just build nests — they form sprawling “supercolonies” with multiple queens and satellite sites. Once they settle in, they can spread rapidly through homes, yards, and entire neighborhoods.
What Are Argentine Ants?
Argentine ants are small, light to dark brown insects measuring about 1/8 of an inch long. Unlike many native ant species, they don’t fight neighboring colonies. Instead, they cooperate, creating supercolonies that allow them to dominate new environments. Originally from South America, they spread through trade routes and now thrive in the southern United States, California, and other warm regions.
Why Argentine Ants Are a Problem in Homes and Yards
Argentine ants are more than just a nuisance. They’re notorious for:
- Forming massive indoor trails. Thousands of ants may invade kitchens, bathrooms, and pantries at once.
- Outcompeting native ants. Their presence can reduce biodiversity and disrupt ecosystems.
- Contaminating food sources. They’re highly attracted to sugar, grease, and moisture.
- Being extremely persistent. Killing a few workers won’t stop the colony, since multiple queens keep reproduction going.
Seasonal Patterns and Behavior of Argentine Ants
These ants are most active in spring and summer, when warm weather supports rapid colony growth. They often nest in soil, mulch, and under debris outdoors, then trail inside to forage. Because colonies reproduce by “budding” — splitting into multiple nests — spraying or disturbing them can actually make infestations worse. This is one of the main reasons DIY attempts rarely succeed.
How to Identify an Argentine Ant Infestation
You may be dealing with Argentine ants if you notice:
- Long trails of small brown ants moving in and out of your home.
- Nesting in moist areas such as under stones, mulch, or near foundations.
- Foragers inside kitchens and bathrooms searching for food and water.
- Persistent reinfestations even after basic treatments.
They can be mistaken for odorous house ants, but Argentine ants have a uniform brown coloring and do not produce the strong odor when crushed.
How to Get Rid of Argentine Ants
Because of their size and colony structure, Argentine ants require targeted strategies:
- Avoid relying on sprays. Contact insecticides only kill surface workers and leave queens untouched.
- Use professional-grade baits. Worker ants carry bait back to the colony, eventually reaching the queens.
- Apply exterior perimeter treatments. Creating a barrier reduces reinfestations.
- Eliminate attractants. Fix leaky faucets, store food in sealed containers, and clean up crumbs and grease.
Long-Term Prevention Strategies
Stopping Argentine ants isn’t just about one treatment. Lasting control comes from prevention, including:
- Sealing entry points. Caulk cracks around windows, doors, and foundations.
- Managing landscaping. Keep vegetation trimmed back, reduce excess mulch, and move firewood away from the home.
- Controlling moisture. Repair leaks, improve drainage, and avoid overwatering plants.
- Regular monitoring. Because supercolonies can rebound quickly, follow-up treatments and inspections are essential.
Stopping the Supercolony Next Door
Argentine ants are among the most challenging pests to control. Their ability to form supercolonies means that quick fixes won’t work, and without proper treatment, they will continue to spread. The best solution is a combination of professional baiting, perimeter control, and long-term prevention steps that keep them from re-establishing.
If you’re seeing endless ant trails or dealing with repeat infestations, it’s a sign you may have Argentine ants. Contact us today to schedule your pest service and learn how to shut them down for good.
Last updated: 08/30/2025