THE ARGENTINE ANT’ AS A HOUSEHOLD PEST. 
BH. R. BARBER, 
Scientific Assistant, Southern Field Crop Insect Investigations. 
CONTENTS. 
Page. Page. 
A pest both in the household and on Control tee. Sarees SS? ee! 6 
LUTEMIC) (chee eee ee ee eee eS eae 8 Natural control not effective_—_ 6 
Importance in agriculture _________ 4 How to keep ants from trees__ 6 
Nesting habits _____ i $6 a rok Ce ee 4 How to keep ants from tables, { 
Scattered from Texas to the Atlantic wee "i ae ingested house_~- H 
with infestations in California___ 5 ae. es ppt Sean? aes 
How new territory is gained 5 sirup made according to a spe- 
cial formula most satisfactory_ 8 
The nest flooded, a colony may form Plans for municipal control 
a compact ball and float away____ 5 Sane .) See Oe ie Ee aig 11 
AW OIG ESM nS ee eee 6 Gv ghey enbayes: catty Spe ee 11 
A PEST BOTH IN THE HOUSEHOLD AND ON THE FARM. 
ale are common and annoyance from them is by no means 
unknown, yet the Argentine ant has distinguished itself by 
greatly exceeding other species in its injury. Other ants may 
make themselves troublesome, but the Argentine ant goes so far as 
to cause homes to be vacated in an infested neighborhood. It be- 
comes important in agriculture as well, damaging fruit and other 
crops by its propagation of scale insects. 
The worker ants are most commonly seen. Small in size and 
dark brown in color, they are able to invade practically every part 
of ordinary dwellings, stores, etc. The Argentine ant is almost 
omnivorous, eating most cooked foods and a considerable percentage 
of the raw foods found in the average pantry. It has a marked 
preference for some things, such as sugar, sirup, honey, jams, cakes, 
candies, pies, fruit, and meats of all kinds. Even refrigerators and 
ice boxes are readily invaded, the low temperatures having no deter- 
rent effect. It is a common occurrence for Argentine ants to find 
their way into bedchambers, and while they do not possess a sting 
they can cause considerable pain with their mandibles. There have 
been many reports of babies being attacked by them in such num- 
bers as to cause serious results; several of these reports have been 
verified. 
With conditions made almost intolerable in badly infested places, 
it is not uncommon to find empty, unrentable houses. Realty values 
accordingly drop. 
1Tridomyrmex humilis Mayr. 
156482°—20—Bull. 1101 3 
