Leafcutter ants get their name from their destructive behavior of stripping ornamental plants, trees, and shrubs of their leaves. However the ants don't eat the plant material but they use it to grow fungus on that they do eat. Due to the rapid nature of defoliation many homeowners are very alarmed when they see a plant that had been freshly stripped overnight. Leafcutter ants can be very difficult to control 100% even for a professional pest control operator. They make their nest in the ground, with some colonies up to 4000 sq ft in area and down to 20 feet deep. Colonies of this size can contain up 1000 holes, some being entrance/exit holes and the rest are ventilation holes for the underground chambers. It is important to treat Leafcutter colonies as soon as they are found in order to ensure a more successful treatment. So don't wait until you lose all your plants, give us a call and we can help you get your yard back. ---FYI don't waste your money on over the counter baits and sprays they don't work ---
HARVESTER ANT
Harvester ants get their name from their behavioral habits of collecting harvesting seeds as their primary food source. Harvester ants are a concern for residential and commercial structures because of their habits of removing all vegetation from around their nest causing large bare spots in lawns. Harvester ants pack a painful sting and have been known to kill animals that disturb the colony. Some species contain a stinger with reverse barbs like a honey bee that will stay lodged in the skin when stung. Harvester ant colonies that pose a risk to humans or pets or are causing unwanted damage to lawns should be treated properly. Certain bait can be effective, although slow, in treating harvester ants and will be more effective if their primary food source is eliminated. Generally, for a treatment to be effective, the use of an appropriately labeled dust is a must. Liquid injection or drenching rarely works due to the colony being so deep. Once again we would love to help in anyway, so give us a call for a free consultation.