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Ants
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Identify
the ant pest species and learn about
the safer and effective ant control
methods |
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. |
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Identification & Pest Control
Methods |
Identification of the particular
species of ant is vital to
implementing a control program.
Some do-it-yourself products may
provide short term relief, but may
in fact, make a problem worse. Ants
are easily repelled by some common
residual remedies and, without
finding the colony, their repeated
use can often cause a colony to move
or even split into multiple
colonies. And simply killing
foraging ants will not eliminate the
colony since the queen remains in
the colony and her sole purpose is
to lay more eggs to ensure the
survivability of the colony.
Pest Management Professionals (PMP’s)
have at their access a variety of
baits, insect growth regulators, and
non-repellant materials, which can
be used together in an integrated
approach to solving any ant
infestation.
Ants are now the number one pest
problem for which homeowners rely on
professional advice and
remediation, Since an interior
infestation is likely to have
resulted from outdoor populations,
you should expect your pest
management professional to perform a
thorough inspection of the
surrounding environment and develop
a strategy to prevent reinfestation
of the building. |
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
preference 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, that 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.
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Pharaoh
ant |
Identification: The workers are all
the same size about 1/16 inch long.
They are yellow or honey-colored.
They have 12-segmented antennae with
3-segmented club.
Nesting sites: They build their
nests in wall and cabinet voids,
behind baseboards, inside hollow
curtain rods and in folds of sheets,
clothes or paper.
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Carpenter ant |
Identification: Carpenter ants vary
in color from black to dark brown to
an brownish 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.
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Argentine ant |
Identification: They are uniformly
dull brown colored. Workers are all
the same size, about 1/8-inch long.
Thorax uneven in shape when viewed
from side. They emit musty odor when
crushed.
Nesting sites: Outdoors in soil,
under wood, slabs, debris, mulch or
in cavities of trees and shrubs.
Shallow, 1-2 inch deep mounds in
open, often distributed habitats,
either moist or dry. |
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