Nests are built into mounds up to two feet across and containing up to a quarter million workers. Any animal careless or brave enough to intrude upon them can be stung repeatedly. They will eat anything especially if it is greasy. Shorter life spans are about six months for workers and six years for the queens. They build nests in almost anyplace they can find in walls or floors.
Invasion occurs more easily during wet weather.
Their diet consists of sweeter foods or fruit. Eggs mature in less than a month and queens can survive for years. Marching year-round from outdoor nests along pavement, cracks in curbing or under floors, they search for any kind of food. Eggs will mature in about six and a half weeks. Nesting can occur either indoors or out in any well-pretoected area, heated area.