Massive infestation of aggressive ants reported in Holmes County, Ohio. What to know

These ants are aggressive and will bite. They build huge mounds that kill the vegetation around them, including trees. And a massive infestation of them was recently reported in Holmes County.

Here's what you need to know about the Allegheny mound ant in Ohio .

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Huge infestation of Allegheny mound ants reported in Holmes County, Ohio

In August, a homeowner from Holmes County, which is roughly 50 miles southwest of Akron and 85 miles northeast of Columbus, approached the Department of Entomology at Ohio State University about an infestation of field ants on his property, according to Buckeye Yard and Garden Online , a publication of the OSU Extension .

The infested area covered about three acres of land, where the homeowner counted 41 mounds, which was later confirmed by OSU entomologists. The homeowner collected a few ants, where were identified by the entomology department as Allegheny mound ants.

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All about the Allegheny mound ant: Size, color, habitat

The Allegheny mound ant ( Formica exsectoides ) is native to North America, according to the OSU Extension, and is one of the largest mound builders on the continent.

The ants range from 4.5 to 7 mm in length and are bicolored. The front two-thirds is reddish-brown, and the rear third is black. The species is aggressive, and will bite if threatened, Buckeye Yard and Garden Online reports. If the mound is disturbed, it's not possible to get close to it without being attacked.

Mounds are built in openings of oak and pine groves, as well as in meadows and prairies, according to the OSU Extension. Mounds are also built in pastures that are grazed frequently and rarely mowed, according to the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture . They're pests in Christmas tree plantings, nurseries and turf, UK reports.

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Where do Allegheny mound ants like to build their mounds?

The ants prefer warm, sunlit areas for their mounds, Buckeye Yard and Garden Online reports, so they choose open areas and kill the vegetation surrounding the mounds by injecting it with formic acid. According to the University of Kentucky, small trees and shrubs within 50 feet of large mounds can be killed, including some trees up to 8 feet tall.

Mounds can extend up to four feet underground and can be up to four feet tall, and nearby mounds can be interconnected, according to the OSU Extension.

How big are Allegheny mound ant mounds?

The largest mount encountered in Holmes County was four feet wide and three feet tall, Buckeye Yard and Garden reports. That puts the ant population for that mound between 3,000 and 10,000, according to UK. It reports the general population sizes associated with mound diameter are:

• 6 to 18 inches: 500 to 3,000
• 18 to 36 inches: 1,000 to 6,000
• 36 to 60 inches: 3,000 to 10,000

Methods to control the insects

It's not easy to control the population of Allegheny mound ants in one season, especially in a large infestation like in Holmes County, according to the OSU Extension, because the mounds are large and the nests are partially underground.

In situations like Holmes County, Buckeye Yard and Garden reports the best scenario is to use slow-acting granular bait that won't disturb the mounds.

The bait, available online and in garden stories, is sweet, mimicking the honeydew and nectar that make up the ants' diet and will be brought into the nest to feed the young workers and queens. The bait is best applied in the spring and summer, when the ants are most active.

Insecticide specifically for ants can also be used, according to the University of Kentucky. But for the best results, it requires the top of the mound to be scraped away, exposing the underground tunnels. And the ants won't ignore the disturbance. UK recommends wearing long pants tucked into socks or the tops of boots if you try controlling the ant population using this method.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Massive infestation of aggressive ants reported in Holmes County, Ohio. What to know