Argentine Ants

The Argentine ant is one of the most widespread invasive ant species in the world. It is a native of South America and is well established in California, Europe, southwestern Africa, southwestern Australia, Chile and New Zealand. Argentine ants are also found on islands such as Hawaii, Bermuda and Japan.

In New Zealand Argentine ants were first found in Auckland in 1990 and more recently have been reported in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch regions. Their spread throughout the country is attributed to queens being moved in freight or in pot plants as natural dispersal is slow.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council has evidence that Argentine ants are hitching rides on cars, trucks and campervans to help their movement to new areas.

For more information, read the Argentine Ant factsheet.

Useful links

Flybusters - Xtinguish bait information

Biosecurity New Zealand - www.biosecurity.govt.nz