Controlling Argentine Ants
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When heavy rains come in the fall and winter, many homes in Sacramento and other urban areas of California are invaded by swarms of Argentine ants (Linepithema humile). In Sacramento, when you are faced with a huge swarm of ants in your kitchen, it is almost certain to be this species.*
(*Effective control depends on proper identification, so if you can, check out the I.D. tips in the references below!)
Don’t spray toxic insecticides!
Efforts to control Argentine ants with pesticide sprays are a major source of pesticide toxicity in local urban creeks and even the American River. Spraying insecticides on ants indoors is not an effective long term strategy. Spraying house perimeters on monthly basis for “prevention” is also not necessary.
Spraying for Argentine ants in Sacramento results in unnecessary pesticide exposure for your family, pets, and the environment.
Effective ant control
Effective alternatives to toxic sprays exist and with diligence, will provide long term control. Here are some basic tips:
- The best method for immediate relief from swarms in the house is to clean them up with a spray of soap and water and a rag. Dish soap or citrus cleaners work extremely well.
- Clean up food sources. Ant scouts are very effective at finding food scraps.
- Seal cracks and holes where the trails come in. This takes some persistence as they will search out new paths.
- Reduce outdoor habitat and food sources. Mulch can improve soil health, but ants like it, so keep it away from exterior walls. Exclude ants from trees and shrubs with Tanglefoot (super-sticky stuff available at nurseries) to reduce access to honeydew producers.
- Insecticidal baits in enclosed containers designed for ants can be very effective, while using a small fraction of the pesticides of a spray.
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Check out the Sacramento County Stormwater Quality Program article on Argentine ants.
Other Key references for controlling Argentine ants in urban areas
The University of California’s website at ucipm.ucdavis.edu helps solve many pest problems, including ants. (UCIPM quick tips make the highlighted “ants” the link to the quick tip)
UCIPM pest notes provide more detailed information: UCIPM Ant Pest Notes
California Department of Pesticide Regulation school IPM program fact sheet for ants.
The Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership participates in the Our Water Our World program, that provides pest control information at retail stores and at http://www.ourwaterourworld.org/Portals/0/documents/pdf/Ants%2009.pdf
The Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership also supports the Water Wise Pest Control Program, in conjunction with UCIPM and the UC Master Gardener Program, that provides provides pest control information.
- Master Gardeners provide pest control advice at (916) 875-6913
- Pest control cards for ants and other pests are available from the City of Sacramento's WaterWise webpage.