Comments on: Rover Ants (Brachymyrmex patagonicus), an emerging pest species

By: D A Reierson

D A Reierson — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:45:59 +0000

Do you have a literature citation for statement that “Brachymyrmex patagonicus appears to be spreading in the southeast and has recently arrived in various western cities. I would not be surprised if it is already established in San Diego and Los Angeles”?

Am particularly interested in documenting spread of range in AZ (beyond Tucson) and spread into southern California.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:19:33 +0000

thanks for all this information. i just ordered INTICE THIQUID from domyownpestcontrol.com for $15.50 and am hopeful that it will work!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:18:11 +0000

Ahhh! I have these rover ants in my bathroom. They were treated once by ABC and resolved after two treatments (including gel, ?name?), but now they are back!! They seem to be coming out of the sink edge and from around the bathtub. I have an infant son and they were all over his changing pad (on the bathroom counter) – I was disgusted. I am going to have ABC come out again, but I am discouraged to read that they are so persistANT. GROSS!!!!!!! I feel like they are crawling on me! I try to resist killing them but every time I see them, I shoot them with a bleach solution. Makes me feel better to see them dead, but now I realize I may be doing more harm than good.

Oh, and we live in central Austin, FYI.

All the advice provided is much appreciated!

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:07:51 +0000

I live in Houston. Rover ants have been driving me nuts for about 4 months. After talking to a neighbor, he recomended Terro Ant Killer.

http://www.terro.com/products.php?product=liquid_ant_killer

It’s available everywhere and it’s only $3.95.
I tried some he gave me, and it got rid of them in 2-3 days.
Simple to use, and inexpensive. It’s a gel and you just put a drop or two right in their path. They love the stuff. Gangs of them will come pretty quick and take it back to the nest, and they all DIE! Haven’t seen any more. It’s only been a few days, but it’s the first few days I haven’t seen any in a long time.

Good luck!

By: susan

susan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:02:10 +0000

Well, I’m sad to report the ants have returned. *sigh*

By: Q

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:20:57 +0000

My exterminator just put the gel bait in my kitchen for the rover ants. Ewwww… I can’t stand them!!! Although I don’t know if they look like these pictures, they are so tiny. I’ll have to try to catch a few of them and stick them under a microscope. He says they are very popular in this area (Houston) and come inside because they seek moisture.

By: James

James — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:10:49 +0000

In Houston, TX, I work in the center of the second (top) floor of a large building, I have no exterior walls as my entire office block, of which I am the center, is completely surrounded by corridors, the same layout on both floors. I usually see no ants on my desk, as you’d expect, but if I set an open can of Dr. Pepper on my desk, within minutes there will be rover ants on it. Sometimes they’ll wander by regardless, sometimes wandering on my arms. Facilities said they’re sending someone out with gel baits.

One more note, at home I’ve noticed that when you use Amdro to kill a fire ant mound, rover ants move in the empty nest very quickly.

By: Isis

Isis — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:07:10 +0000

I am also in North Texas (Irving/Coppell area), and these buggers have taken over my apartment. They pest control persons have been out 4 times, and the bait they use do not work. The ants may disappear for about a week, but then they reappear even more finding more cracks and crevices to come out of. SO annoying!

By: susan

susan — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:44:34 +0000

Lynn, I am not sure if was coincidence that they were gone or if it was the stuff I used, but I posted above about them being in a child’s bedroom. I used this: http://www.saferbrand.com/store/insect-control/M601, the active ingredient is mint oil. Very strong mint smell. I also used it in the kitchen. After using this, I haven’t seen any for about a year now. *knocks on wood*

I don’t know if you are looking for something for in your home, or outside. I wonder if mint plants would deter them outside?

I had such a battle with them I still am always keeping an eye out for them in the house. I still see them outside so I know they’re out there and I worry they will come back inside some day. I would try the Safer Poison-Free again if they do.

Cari – did you find the Intice Thiquid locally or did you order it online?

By: Lynn

Lynn — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:50:21 +0000

I am so glad I found out what these little buggers are…they are EVERYWHERE at my house in East Texas (Quitman) – inside and outside. We try not to use any chemicals on our property because we have numerous underground natural springs…I have tried DE, and corn meal and neither worked, it was like they found another way around the DE, since it kills pretty much on contact…but they do seem to love sugared water…they attack the hummingbird feeders within minutes of me hanging them. I guess I will have to try the gel traps and see what happens. If you have had sucess with non-chemical items, please post so I can try as well.