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Leaf Cutter Ants Guide

Identify

Inspect

Treat

Prevent

Leaf Cutter Ants

Leaf cutter ants, also called parasol ants or cut ants, encompass 47 species known for cutting leaves from crops, trees, and plants. These ants don’t eat the leaves; instead, they use them to cultivate and maintain a fungal garden that serves as food for their larvae.

Leaf cutter ants can rapidly destroy vegetation, and their mounds often dominate rural areas like farms and plains. Below is a detailed look at their appearance.

Leaf Cutter Ants Characteristics

Size

Leaf cutter ants vary in size.

  • Male worker ants measure 1/16 to 1/2 inch long, while female queens grow up to 3/4 inch long.

Shape

Leaf cutter ants are categorized into two sub-species: Atta and Acromyrmex.

  • Atta leaf cutter ants have a thorax with three spines and a smooth exoskeleton.
  • Acromyrmex leaf cutter ants have a thorax with four spines and a rough exoskeleton.

Female queens have larger heads compared to males. Male ants have thin, long legs disproportionate to their body size, while females have legs proportionate to their bodies.

Both male and female ants may grow wings during their lifetime, which they lose after participating in a "nuptial" flight for mating.

In Texas, these ants are commonly called Texas leaf cutters or Atta texana ants.

Color

Leaf cutter ants range from rusty red to dark brown. Their wings, when present, are smoky brown or black.

Larvae

The larvae are cream-colored and measure 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. Larvae are rarely visible as they develop underground within the mounds.

Location

Leaf cutter ants are predominantly found in:

  • Eastern and central Texas
  • Western Louisiana
  • Southern and Central America

These ants thrive in large, open spaces within rural agricultural areas, where they can build their expansive nests. They are not typically found in cities or suburban regions.

Pro Tip

Leaf cutter ants share many traits with other ant species. If you think you may have a different type of ant, visit our Ant Identification Guide to confirm the species and learn how to treat the infestation.

If you suspect you have leaf cutter ants, click the right arrow below to learn about the damage they cause and how to identify their mounds in our guide on where to find leaf cutter ants.

How to Check for Leaf Cutter Ants

Where Are Leaf Cutter Ants Found?

Leaf cutter ants, also known as parasol ants, are small pests capable of causing extensive damage to crops, trees, and plants. These ants are often found in rural areas, so signs of their activity—like damage—are usually noticed before the ants themselves. Below are the key indicators of a leaf cutter ant infestation.

Leaf Damage

The most common sign of leaf cutter ants is damaged leaves with visible holes or missing parts.

  • The ants typically scallop the edges of leaves, starting from the outside and working inward, leaving behind damaged leaf margins.
  • They often leave plant stems intact after removing leaf portions.

Leaf cutter ants can attack various vegetation, including:

  • Trees, such as fruit trees
  • Shrubs
  • Flowers
  • Garden crops
  • Weeds

In severe infestations, crops and plants can be destroyed within hours.

Mounds

Another clear sign of leaf cutter ants is the presence of large mounds, which can grow to 2-3 feet tall.

  • These mounds serve as entrances to extensive underground nests, which can reach nearly 10 feet deep and spread 100 feet across.
  • A single nest can house up to 8 million ants.

Mounds are commonly found in:

  • Well-drained sandy soil
  • Moist areas, such as riverbeds and drainage ditches

You may notice multiple mounds clustered together in a single area.

Trees

While leaf cutter ants don’t consume leaves themselves, they do feed on the sap of trees.

  • These ants can often be seen along tree trunks and branches, feeding on sap.
  • On their way to or from collecting leaves, they may pause to feed on sap, further indicating their presence.

If you suspect leaf cutter ants are infesting your property, click the right arrow below for our guide on how to get rid of leaf cutter ants.

Not sure if the ants on your property are leaf cutters? Click the left arrow for our leaf cutter ant identification guide.

How to Get Rid of Leaf Cutter Ants

Leaf cutter ants, comprising over 47 species, are notorious for removing parts of leaves from plants, causing significant damage. A large infestation can destroy crops, trees, and flowers in mere hours.

These ants don’t eat the leaves themselves but transport them to their underground nests. There, the leaves are used to cultivate a fungus garden, which serves as food for their larvae. This fungus, enriched by bacteria from the ants’ bodies, sustains the colony as it grows.

Given the size and complexity of leaf cutter ant nests—which can house millions of ants—eradicating an infestation is challenging. However, with proper products and consistent applications, you can protect your vegetation. Follow the steps below to treat for leaf cutter ants.

Step1 Choose a Mound Treatment

There are limited products specifically labeled for leaf cutter ants, as they are not attracted to most traditional ant baits. Common products for other ants, like carpenter or black ants, may not work effectively.

  • DeltaGard G Granules are one of the few products labeled for leaf cutter ants.
  • Maxforce Complete Granular Bait, though not specific to leaf cutter ants, can also be used.

Keep in mind that repeated applications will likely be necessary.

Products we recommend for Step 1

Step2 Apply Your Treatment

Carefully follow the product label instructions to apply your chosen drench or granules directly to the ant mound.

  • Ensure the product is suitable for the area where you plan to apply it. Some products cannot be used on agricultural sites.

Step3 Reapply as Needed

Repeat applications as directed on the product label. Leaf cutter ants are highly mobile and can relocate quickly, making multiple treatments essential for effective control.

Step4 Preventative Measures

The best strategy against leaf cutter ants is to apply preventative treatments before mounds appear. Learn more about prevention in our guide on how to prevent leaf cutter ants.

If you have questions about selecting or applying leaf cutter ant treatments, contact our experts at

Leaf Cutter Ant Prevention

How to Keep Leaf Cutter Ants Off Your Property

Leaf cutter ants can devastate crops, plants, and trees within hours. While completely preventing an infestation is challenging, keeping a close eye on your property for early signs of activity can help minimize damage. Follow the steps below to reduce the risk of an infestation.

Step1 Regular Property Inspections

The sooner you detect leaf cutter ants, the easier it will be to manage the problem. Walk your property at least once a week, checking for new mounds or leaves with missing sections.

If you spot a mound, act immediately by applying a drench or bait. For detailed treatment instructions, see our guide on how to get rid of leaf cutter ants.

Step2 Improve Soil Conditions

Leaf cutter ants are drawn to well-drained soils, particularly those near creeks or riverbeds. If possible, maintain these bodies of water to prevent them from drying out.

When these areas do dry, inspect them for leaf cutter ant activity and treat at the first sign of an infestation to stop it from spreading.

Step3 Maintain a Healthy Lawn

A well-maintained lawn can help deter pests like leaf cutter ants. Follow a regular lawn care routine that includes:

  • Watering appropriately
  • Mowing regularly
  • Fertilizing as needed
  • Applying pre-emergent herbicide treatments

Using a Lawn Care Schedule with month-by-month tasks can simplify maintenance and improve your lawn's overall health, making it less inviting to pests and weeds.

Preventing a leaf cutter ant infestation is difficult, especially if your property has had infestations in the past. The best defense is frequent monitoring so you can act quickly at the first sign of a problem.

For further assistance or questions about leaf cutter ant identification, habitat, or treatment, contact our experts at

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