Southern Harvester Ant

Pogonomyrmex badius

Color: Reddish Brown

Size: 6 – 10 mm

Shape: Rounded chest and head, Two-parted

Diet: Seeds, insects and invertebrates

Habitat: Florida, Georgia and South Carolina

General Behavior

They build nests underground and these nests reach up to 2 meters deep.

They clean the plants around the nests.

They can carry seeds several times their own weight.

Colonies have a single queen and small populations.

They aggressively defend their nests.

They are very active in spring and summer.

They use pheromones for defense and foraging.

Threats

When they sting humans, they cause pain, swelling and allergies.

They damage other ant species and vegetation in their search for food.

They affect plant populations because they collect seeds.

How Do We Recognize Infestation?

The area around their nests is clean and flat-topped.

They are seen carrying seeds and insects.

They cause disturbance by stinging people in open areas.