Argentine Ant Identification Melbourne
Identify Argentine ants — invasive supercolony ants spreading across Melbourne.
Argentine Ant in Melbourne — Quick Answer
Argentine ants are an invasive species forming massive supercolonies across Melbourne. Workers are small, measuring 1.5–2.5 mm with a uniform dull brown colour. They trail in dense, well-defined lines and do not bite. Argentine ants overwhelm native ant species and invade homes in enormous numbers seeking food and moisture. T47 Pest Control provides ongoing management programs using non-repellent baits and barriers to reduce Argentine ant pressure across your property.
How to Identify Argentine Ant
Size
1.5–2.5 mm worker body length
Colour
Uniform dull brown; no distinct markings
Behaviour
Dense trailing lines; supercolonies with millions of workers; multiple queens; does not bite
Habitat
Under stones, in mulch, beneath pavers, in wall cavities; trails extensively indoors
Look-Alikes & Confusion Notes
Can be confused with black house ants, but Argentine ants are dull brown rather than shiny black. They also do not emit a strong odour when crushed, unlike black house ants.
Risk & Urgency
Moderate. Argentine ants are a serious ecological pest — they displace native species and invade homes in very large numbers. They do not bite or sting but cause significant nuisance. Their supercolony structure makes them challenging to control.
Where Found in Melbourne
Argentine ants are well-established in Melbourne's inner suburbs, bayside areas, and around waterways. They are one of the world's most invasive ant species and continue to expand their range across the Melbourne metropolitan area.
What to Do Now
Remove mulch from against building walls, trim vegetation touching the structure, and fix dripping taps. Argentine ants need ongoing management — contact T47 Pest Control for a sustained control program using non-repellent treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why are Argentine ants so hard to control?
- Argentine ants form supercolonies with multiple queens spread across a wide area. Killing surface ants with sprays does not affect the queens or the vast underground network. Non-repellent transfer baits are the most effective tool, as workers carry the toxicant back to queens throughout the colony.
- Are Argentine ants dangerous?
- Argentine ants do not bite, sting, or carry major diseases. Their primary impact is nuisance — invading homes in enormous numbers — and ecological, as they displace native ant species and disrupt local ecosystems.