Size: This type of ant has two distinct sizes of workers. The larger ones, called major workers, typically range in size from 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch in length, depending on the species.

The major worker is easily identified by the extremely large size of its head in comparison to its body. The head of the minor worker is in proportion to its body. Color: Most are reddish brown in color.  The minor workers can resemble fire ants except that big-headed ants have 12 segments in their antennae while fire ants have only 10 segments.

Habitat and Behavior

Big-headed ants, like all ants, establish well-defined trails between the nest and food and water sources. They feed on a wide variety of foods including dead insects, plant materials, and garbage. They are found of seeds, and are commonly found in homes where pet birds are located.  The workers are also partial to the sweet honeydew produced by aphids, scales, and mealybugs found feeding on many trees and plants. Big-headed ants are soil-nesting ants, most commonly found nesting outdoors beneath stones, logs, and landscape timbers. These ants also are commonly found inside the soil of potted plants, and many inside infestations may be traced to planters. In addition, big-headed ants may be found nesting beneath slab foundations and entering through cracks in the slab. On occasion, these ants will nest inside rotted wood or will excavate old termite-damaged wood to make a nest.

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Control

Management of Big Headed ants is best accomplished by locating and eliminating the colonies found in or around the structure. Colonies living in the soil or under items such as stones or logs should be treated by drenching mound or colony with a residual insecticide using Tempo, Demand, or Suspend.

If the colony cannot be located, baits such as Advance Carpenter Ant Bait, Maxforce Granual, Maxforce Fire Ant Bait, or  Maxforce Gel can be applied to areas where ants are foraging.

Termidor SC 
Since it has been around,  Termidor has been proven to be the most effective and fastest at completely eliminating problem ant populations. It is really changing the way pest management professionals are approaching ant control. Chances are that the ants in your house actually have their nest outside, in a wall, or under a slab or sidewalk.  They travel back and forth for food and water.  Termidor Ant Control is applied to the exterior foundation walls of your house, creating a treated area of protection. In the past several years, the professional pest control industry has been revolutionized by new control technologies, especially in the area of non-repellents or 'undetectable' liquid treatments. Unlike older insecticides, un-detectables can't be smelled, tasted, or even felt by pests. So they crawl through the treated area, not knowing that by ingesting treated materials or merely contacting the insecticide, they'll die. Termidor is unique because ants not directly exposed to the Termidor-treated area will be controlled as they come into contact with affected ants. This 'Transfer Effect' means you'll see its effects on ants in one to three days, and most species will be controlled within the first week following the treatment. Sold in a convenient 20 oz. container. A .06% solution will yield 24 finish gallons of Termidor mixture.  A little more expensive, but totally worth it.  To order your Termidor, Click Here!

If you know with some certainty where the colony is living inside wood, then you can treat it directly by drilling into the wood where the galleries are located, and dusting the galleries and wood with a dust such as Delta Dust, Drione, or Borid Turbo.

The same thing holds with colonies living in wall voids.  If you know with some certainty where they are, then you can treat them directly by drilling a small hole into the wall void at the base of the void (directly above the baseboard) and injecting a dust such as Delta Dust, Drione, or Borid Turbo.

The use of indoor bait stations such as the ANT CAFE'S will preserve and protect baits.

Use the Crusader to apply your dusts or baits into those tight spots or hard to reach places.  Note:  Use only one crusader for each formulation.  You don't want to contaminate your bait with an insecticide. 

Use the B&G Bulb Duster to assist in your granular or dust application

Regular inspections and service are necessary to find and treat new colonies as they move in from neighboring properties. These perimeter treatments can keep your home or business pest free. We suggest a regular treatment on the exterior with Demand, Tempo, or Suspend.

General tips for limiting ant infestations include:

• Eliminating piles of lumber, bricks, or other debris that could serve as a nesting site for ants.
• Keeping landscape mulch less than 2 inches thick and at least 12 inches away from foundations.
• Ensuring the sprinkler system does not spray directly onto the foundation.
• Sealing as many cracks in the building's exterior as possible.
• Keeping tree and shrub branches trimmed to prevent touching the building.
• Considering re-landscaping to avoid using plants that are prone to aphids and similar insects. At the very least, treat such plants for aphids regularly.

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