Big-headed ants are found in warmer and dryer sections of the United States, and have very similar habits to fire ants. Nests are found in exposed soil or under cover and in rotting wood. They rarely nest indoors, but may invade homes to forage for food. Big-headed ants prefer meats, greases and breads. Along foundations, big-headed ants have a habit of using the crack between the soil and the foundation to nest; flooding the crack with water will quickly reveal a nest location. Nests in potted plants are common and can result in colonies being carried inside

Control of the Big headed ant is difficult because the ant colonies are numerous and populations usually extend across property lines. At present, pest control companies are using residual spray products containing fipronil, bifenthrin, or permethrin, sometimes in conjunction with granular baits. Lawns and flowerbeds are sometimes treated with granular insecticides containing fipronil or lambda-cyhalothrin. Nest sites are often protected by being under objects, lawns and flowerbeds will probably need to be treated at least four to five times per year at maximum label rates. One-time treatments for the big headed ant will be of very limited value.