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Do Argentine ants come into houses often?

Ehrlich Answers

“I keep finding trails of tiny brown ants in my kitchen. Could they be Argentine ants, and should I be worried about them getting inside?”

Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) are one of the most common home-invading ant species in the U.S. If you're seeing trails of small brown ants indoors, there's a chance they might be Argentine ants.

They're drawn inside by food, moisture, and shelter, and they squeeze through tiny cracks in foundations, door frames, and utility lines. If you’re worried about them coming into your house, removing what attracts them will help a lot. Clean up spills and crumbs, and reduce moisture if your home is humid, and you’ll probably see far fewer of them.

Several Argentine ants feeding on food scraps
Argentine ants are small, light to dark brown, with slender bodies, long legs, and no obvious size differences between workers.

Do Argentine ants bite?

Argentine ants can bite, but it's rare, and most people barely notice. They're not considered a medical concern, though if you have an unusual reaction to any ant contact, speak with a healthcare professional.

The real issue is scale. Their supercolony behavior (joining colonies together, which can result in hundreds of millions of ants over a massive land area) means a small problem can grow fast. DIY treatments may reduce visible numbers, but rarely reach the source. For lasting results, professional ant control is the most effective option.

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