PEST CONTROL for Ants - Expert Advice

Ants & Pest Control for Ants

Identify the ant pest species and learn about
the safer and effective ant control methods

Ants in your plants ?

Most ant species are highly developed social insects that live in permanent nests, which depending on the species, may be in the soil, in timber, under pavers, in wall cavities or roof voids.

Ants may travel large distances in search of food. Even the cleanest of homes can provide a ready food source for ants which once found can invade in large numbers, such that professional help is required.

Some inflict severe bites but most are a nuisance pest when they infest kitchens and BBQ areas in large numbers.

Identification & Pest Control Methods

Identification of the particular species of ant is vital to implementing a control program.

Where necessary permethrin dust is used in wall cavities and roof voids. Permethrin is the natural extract of the pyrethrum plant.

Recently developed ant baiting systems, which includes an insect growth regulator in a sealed plastic dispenser, are can placed near high activity areas. Also a specialist granulated bait is now available which can be placed in external infested areas.

Expect to pay $150 to $250, for medium size residential premises, usually with a 3 to 6 month written service warranty, depending on the severity of the infestation and various environmental factors that may promote reinfestation.

White-footed house ant

Identification: the worker of the White-footed house ant is around 2.7mm in length, and black in color with yellow feet.

Biology: Colonies of white-footed house ants often contain many satellite nesting sites spread over a wide area. The entire brood may contain several million workers and numerous reproductive queens. White-footed house ants have a preferance for sweet tasting food, such as sugar, soft drinks and the like.

Nesting sites: their nests are commonly found outdoors, in the ground or above ground in trees, in buildings, such as, in wall cavities, roof voids, architraves and fireplaces. They are known to get into and short-circuit air conditioners.

Odorous house ant

Identification: the Odorous house ant is about 2 to 3 mm in length; of uniform black to brown in color and if crushed, has a distinct rotten odor, like rancid butter.

Biology: Odorous house ant colonies can contain around 10,000 ants and contain numerous reproductive females, thet can establish subsidiary colonies. Ants from different colonies are not aggressive toward each other.

Nesting sites: their nests are commonly found include outdoors in the soil, under the base of trees, and indoors. Nests in the soil are usually shallow, situated under a stone, pavers or other flat object. They commonly nest under buildings and inside wall cavities, particularly if there is a regular moisture source available, say from leaking plumbing, shower recess, broken guttering and roof tiles.

Coastal brown ant

Identification: The Common coastal brown ant is often confused for the Argentine Ant. The workers 2 to 3 mm in length.

Nesting sites: They build their nests in wall cavities, garden beds and sub-floor areas.

Carpenter ant

Identification: Carpenter ants vary in colour from black to dark brown to an browish orange. The workers are 6 to 12 mm in length.

Biology: Carpenter ants often enter buildings to nest and forage. They excavate their nests in wood (hence the name "carpenter" ants), creating smooth tunnels and galleries. The colonies of some species of Carpenter ants, may exceed 100,000 workers, with multiple queens and satellite nesting sites. Most species are smaller and require many years to reach maturity. They can travel long distances in search of food.

Nesting sites: they most often build their nests outside, in moist wood, soil, wigs and branches, but some species will readily infest timbers in buildings.

Bulldog ants