Ants - Ants have long since been a major pest issue in our region and have risen to the point of being the number one urban pest. Several factors contribute to this trend. A large number of already-established invasive pest ants continue to expand their range. Red imported ants continue to expand into several pockets in southern California; Argentine ants however, maintain the top spot for the number one ant in our area because of its ability to adapt to our immediate environs. They are especially formidable due to their aggressive behavior and the enormous size of their colonies which can literally "team up" with other colonies.

You probably have seen endless single file columns of Argentine ants walking through your home. They follow a pre-marked pheromone "scent" trail initially laid down by scouts who were searching for goodies in your pantry. Although they prefer to nest outdoors, they primarily enter houses for food and water.

Southern California has its share of ant species that regularly pose problems around our homes; they include the Carpenter ant with its ability to chisel out nesting galleries in wood structural members. The tiny Thief and pharaoh ants, they can bud, or split their colony when they are impinged upon. DIY measures for these ants can actually make matters worse because of their ability to divide their colony and relocate into additional areas of the structure. Red Harvester Ants can be aggressive and have a painful sting sometimes causing reactions, especially in those allergic to their venom. Over the years their numbers have been declining, and this has often been attributed to competition for food with the invasive Red Imported Fire Ant.

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