Pest Expert Overview: Rover Ants in Bryan & College Station
Rover Ants are very small relative to other types of ants, black, and somewhat “stubby” looking. Outside, rover ants may be seen running up and down on blades of grass, chairs, fence posts or any other objects in the yard very quickly. They are found around nearly 100% of the houses in the College Station and Bryan areas – even those with pest control.
Rover ants, Brachymyrmex patagonicus, are in the Order Hymenoptera and Family Formicidae. Rover ants are native to South America, but have now invaded and established themselves in the southern United States. I believe that they have mostly displaced the native Pharaoh or sugar ants in Brazos County.
Life Cycle
Rover ants produce reproductive swarms with winged ants several times per year. Their winged reproductives are the most similar looking to termite winged reproductives. Colonies contain a single queen. Not much is known about colony size or longevity for rover ants, since they are fairly new to the United States.
Rover ants feed on “honeydew” – excretion from aphids, scales, leaf hoppers or other sap-feeding insects. They nest in soil, mulch and damp or decaying wood.
Why are they Pests?
Rover ants do not sting or bite. Outdoors, they are generally not a problem. They occasionally invade indoors, mainly in kitchens and bathrooms, which makes them a nuisance pest.
Rover Ant Prevention
Rover ants require a high amount of moisture, so controlling moisture around your home will reduce the likelihood of infestation. Set sprinklers to water only when necessary, no more than 2 or 3 times per week during the summer only. Also, make sure sprinklers aren’t spraying onto the house. Keeping foliage away from the house will also keep things dryer near the house. If rover ants are a problem indoors, good sanitation is important to allow treatments to work.
Professional Rover Ant Control
If you are dealing with a rover ant infestation, Venus Pest Company can help. Founded by Aggie Entomologist Dr. Scott Lingren, we provide expert, eco-friendly Integrated Pest Management solutions in Bryan and College Station. To get started, fill out the contact form, call/text 979.774.0486 or email [email protected]. Don’t let nuisance pests take over your home!
