Frequently Asked Questions About Insects - Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University

Frequently Asked Questions

Topic:	Ants, leafcutting
Question:	Large red harvester ants are eating all the leaves off a certain kind of tree in Wimberley and have already killed several trees. I have been told that a bait is made to kill them, but I cannot find it. Does this ant attack only a certain type of tree?
Answer:	The ant is a Texas leafcutting ant, Atta texana. Harvester ants eat seeds and scavenge for food but do not cut leaves. Volcano Leaf Cutter Ant bait is registered for use in Texas under a special local needs registration for use in pine forests to protect seedings in pine nurseries. It is not for general use. There are two other bait products with Texas leafcutting ants on the product label: Grant's Total Ant Killer Bait and an Amdro formulation specifically for leafcutting ants {not the fire ant formulation}. Look for those in your local outlets but they may have limited distribution as you noticed. The Grant's product may be found in some hardware and even grocery stores. Product that simply say 'ants' on the product label can be used for leafcutting ants. However, remember that the leafcutting ant colony is hugh and a long term treatment over months may be necessary to kill out a colony. Leafcutting ants typically attack almost any broad leaved tree but sometimes even attach pine.
Related Link:	http://citybugs.tamu.edu/FastSheets/Ent-1029.html
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Response by:	John A. Jackman, Ph.D.
Title:	Professor and Extension Specialist
** Most of the Related Links above also contain images.

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