Harvester ants can appear red, brown, or black. They typically measure about a quarter to half an inch long and have bodies with two segments. Most species feature spines on the tops of their midsections and long hairs on the undersides of their heads, giving them a beard-like appearance.
Harvester ants primarily feed on seeds. When they can’t find enough seeds for their colony, they will also consume other insects.
Harvester ants sting and are considered dangerous because of it. Their stings feel similar to bee stings and can cause pain that lasts several hours. In rare cases, the sting may trigger an allergic reaction.
Yes, harvester ants are dangerous due to their painful stings. While they aren’t as aggressive as fire ants, they will sting to defend their colony if their nest is disturbed.
Harvester ants also damage vegetation. They build large mounds in the ground—often on lawns—and remove all vegetation around the mound, creating bare spots in your yard.
Harvester ants prefer warm, dry soil because they spend most of their time in their nests and thrive in heat. This preference explains why they strip vegetation from the areas surrounding their mounds.
Their nests can extend up to three feet underground. Some nests have a single entrance, while others feature multiple entrances. These entrances are easy to spot, as the ants create mounds free of vegetation and sometimes decorate them with small pebbles.
Harvester ants move onto your property for a few key reasons. First, if your yard provides a good food source—mainly seeds—they will likely show up to collect them, which is how they earned their name.
They also favor open, sunny areas and sandy soil—ideal conditions for building nests. If your property offers these, you might attract them.
The first sign of a harvester ant problem usually appears as bare patches on your lawn. While you may want to avoid getting too close to avoid disturbing the ants and getting stung, a closer look may reveal clear vegetation removal and small pebbles placed around the mound.
You can also spot the ants themselves. Harvester ants are slightly larger than most other species. You can identify them by the spines on their backs and the beard-like hairs on their heads.
Although many do-it-yourself ant control methods exist online, eliminating an entire colony is usually more difficult than these methods suggest. At best, you might reduce the problem temporarily; at worst, the colony may split, making the issue worse.
Rather than relying on ineffective solutions, contact The Pied Piper for professional harvester ant control. We can safely and effectively eliminate the entire colony, ensuring full removal of the infestation.
Harvester ants rarely infest the inside of homes, so while you should always keep your house clean, fix leaks, and seal entry points, your main prevention efforts should focus outdoors.
To prevent harvester ants, start by removing the food sources they prefer. Limit seed-producing plants on your property, especially near your home. Implementing a routine pest control plan will also reduce the number of insects available for harvester ants to eat.
If you suspect harvester ants have moved onto your property, contact The Pied Piper. We’ll inspect your property, determine whether a problem exists, and offer both preventive and curative services to keep your home and yard free of harvester ants and other pests. Reach out today!
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Eufaula, OK
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Eufaula, OK
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