These ants have invaded my vegetable garden. They are streaming through my carrot seedlings. I went out this morning and caught one in the hopes that if I identify them, I can more effectively get them out of my garden.

The ant has long antennas, a light brown trunk (the center part) and a darker brown/black head and metasoma. They are about one-quarter of an inch long. I live in the Bay Area of California (Petaluma). I am thinking it is some type of Wood Ant or an Argentine Ant.

I believe I had the same type of ants at my last house. Those ants came inside during the winter and ate the roots of my potted plants and some gunk around the window sill. They ignored the kitchen and I never saw them interested in sugar. During the summer, they stole pollen from my zucchini blossoms, leading to a far smaller crop of zucchini last year. I wasn’t able to tell if they were doing anything with aphids.

If you, dear Internets, can tell me what kind of ant this is, can you also tell me:

I thank you.