Argentine ants

Argentine ant management can be a component of a mealybug management program.

Argentine ants feed on the honeydew produced by mealybugs. The ants protect the mealybugs from many of their natural enemies.

In the absence of Argentine ants, populations of grape, obscure, and longtailed mealybug may be significantly reduced due to more effective biological control.

Vine mealybug populations in California are not controlled by ant management alone, but it may be one component of an integrated program.

Ant Resources

Liquid baits control Argentine ants sustainably in coastal vineyards (Cooper et al., California Agriculture, Oct-Dec 2008)

UC Pest Notes -Ants

Guide to Vineyard Ant Identification

Guide to Vineyard Ant Identification (Spanish) (Guía para la identificación de hormigas en el viñedo)

Argentine ant management (Cooper & Daane)

PVC station with UPRIGHT bottle and window screen (2009 design)

Bait station design - 2007 (Battany)

Urban Pest Management of Ants in California