Leafcutter ants aren’t your average fleet of insects searching for something sweet to devour in the kitchen. These ants are voracious hunters looking for something fresh to bite in your garden; consider your plant’s foliage gone if these pesky snouts dominate your lawn!
We’re going to discuss safe and convenient ways to get rid of them without posing any threats to the health of your garden.
Have a look at leaf cutter ants in action;
Table of Contents
What Are Leaf Cutter Ants?
The term ‘leafcutter ants’ is an umbrella term that applies to over 40 leaf-eating insects. They are found in various parts of the United States and Mexico.
Rather than ‘eating’ leaves, they nibble off pieces and carry them to their houses or nests. These bits and pieces of leaves act as a fertilizer, which leads to the growth of fungus. The leafcutter ants share a symbiotic relationship with the fungus and use it as a source of nutrients.
You must remember that leafcutter ants can find their way into your very houses searching for something to nibble on! It is important to keep these nettlesome creatures at bay.
Are Leafcutter Ants Harmful to Plants?
Indeed, leafcutter plants cause great damage to the foliage of plants. Because these ants form large colonies, their activity will likely cause significant foliage reduction.
These leaf-chewers remain active even in the harshest seasons, which adds more to the dilemma.
Watch them cut leaves in this video!
How to Prevent Leafcutter Ant Infestation?
Stay alert and keep a lookout for any ant mounds or trails.
Shall you find any ant mounds or trails, spray pesticide over them immediately.
Seal Cracks
Leafcutter ants are smart creatures; they can easily find ways into your house through narrow holes and tricky openings.
Use Insecticide Sprays Near Entry Points
To keep these ants from entering your house, you must use insecticidal sprays to repel them.
How to Get Rid of Leafcutter Ants
Use Deltamethrin Granules
The active component in these granules disrupts the central nervous system of the leafcutter ants, causing them to die. They are to be placed along ant trails and inside mounds.
It may take multiple sessions for the complete elimination of the colony.
Use Fipronil
Fipronil is used to kill termites, so it’s a powerful agent, to begin with. Using it can rid you of leafcutter ants for as long as ten years!
It is chiefly used to kill underground colonies of these ants when other methods fail to do so. It is to be noted that Fipronil is not labeled for leafcutter ant elimination.
Use Essential Oils
Tea tree and citrus essential oils annoy the leafcutter ants and are likely to repel them. However, they are not potent enough to target an infestation.
Call Professional Exterminators
Sometimes situations can get out of hand, especially in the case of an infestation. If such is the case, don’t hesitate to call for professional help.
Ask Away: The FAQ Section
Twenty-four hours is all it takes for the leafcutter ants to render the plant barren!
The presence of ant mounds is amongst the first signs of a leafcutter infestation. Later on, you are likely to witness mature colonies of ants carrying large pieces of leaves to their nests.
Leafcutter ants are mostly harmless to humans. They will only bite humans if they breach their territory.