Allegheny Mound Ant
Appearance
The Allegheny Mound Ant is easily distinguishable due to its striking appearance. Its head and thorax are red-orange, while its abdomen is brown-black.
Food Source
Allegheny Mound Ants hunt other insects as a source of protein. For sugars, they collect honeydew from aphids and leaf-hoppers, which they cultivate, collect, and protect from predators.
Habitat
Allegheny Mound Ants are native to most areas of North America. They can most often be found building their colonies in fields, playgrounds, and lawns.
While many other species of field ants build their nests in large mounds, the Allegheny Mound Ants build some of the largest. Colony populations can increase rapidly, creating the need for several different mounds to be built. These interconnected through tunnels that extend down as far as three feet.
When ant mounds grow to this size, they will undoubtedly cause damage to surrounding vegetation. That can cause extensive damage to a properties landscape.
Allegheny Mound Ants tend not to enter homes, but workers will forage on decks and patios. They insert formic acid into vegetation which can kill plants as small trees and shrubs within a 40 to a 50-foot radius of their colony.
Allegheny Mound Ants can also be very aggressive and, if disturbed, will send ants boiling from mounds at an alarming rate.
Extermination of Allegheny Mound Ants
Although extermination of Allegheny Mount Ants is certainly possible, large colonies comprised of numerous mounds can be difficult to control. Disturbed populations will simply reconstruct the mounds if persistence is not applied.
If you suspect your property is infested with Allegheny Mound Ants or any other pest, contact Croach® for a free evaluation! We have years of experience effectively treating ants and other stubborn pests and guarantee your satisfaction with any pest control treatment!
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