The Nuisance Dark Rover Ant Species Swarms Year Round In Arizona Where They Are Among The Most Commonly Encountered Insect Pests Within Homes
A few ant species belonging to the Brachymyrmex genus have been documented as household pests in the southern US where they are often referred to as rover ants. The non-native rover ant species, B. musculus, is one of the most commonly encountered ant pests in homes located in Phoenix and Tucson. In recent years, another non-native rover ant species, Brachymyrmex patagonicus, has become a common household pest in the southeastern states. In addition to the southeast, this species has also managed to establish a habitat in southern Arizona. This species is commonly known as the dark rover ant, and they have frequently been found infesting homes in Tucson and Phoenix, but they are strangely absent from all other areas in the state.
Dark rover ants are nuisance pests in homes located in Tucson and Phoenix, and they often establish nests within concealed indoor areas, but some infestation cases see foraging workers invade homes in large numbers from nests located in yards. These ants also swarm into houses all year round in Tucson, but swarmers emerge only during the spring and summer months in all other US locations where they have become established. Obviously, dark rover ants exhibit many peculiar pest behaviors in southern Arizona, and unsurprisingly, researchers know very little about the biology and foraging habits of these species.
In Tucson and Phoenix, dark rover ants establish nests within soil located below leaf litter, mulch, firewood, and around tree stumps in residential yards and urban parks. These ant pests become particularly abundant on irrigated lawns due to their need for large amounts of water. Many residents have noticed that dark rover ants tend to establish nests in wall voids located in bathrooms and kitchens where running water provides the pests with adequate moisture. Dark rover ants invade homes in large numbers during particularly hot and dry periods during the summer, which is also when nests are most likely to become established indoors.
Have you found ants in or around swimming pools during the summer in recent years?
