There are many ants in the world, but only certain ants are considered major pests in and around your home. Controlling ants can be quite difficult for those not trained in the biology and habits of the ant they are trying to control. With most ants it is best to bait the active ant trail utilising high quality, food specific baits instead of spraying them directly with pesticides as this will only kill the ants in sight and likely make the problem worse by pushing them to make alternate pathways to their food source. There are chemicals available to professional pest managers that are extremely effective in ant control.
4 common ant types around your home
- Black House Ant
- The black house ant is a small, shiny black ant around 2.5-3mm long and is often found in large numbers scavenging around your kitchen or rubbish bins. Black house ants are sugar feeders and will prefer to feed on sugary sweet items in your house such as honey.
- Coastal Brown Ant
- The coastal brown ant is a small, brown ant around 1.5-2.5mm long and is found nesting or trailing around soil and paved areas in your garden. Coastal brown ants can reach a very large population very quickly and will feed on most food types from meats to sweet foods, most of which is readily available throughout your gardens, rubbish bins and other areas of your property. These ants have the potential to damage the root systems of plants and grass and can even displace pavers in extreme circumstances.
- White Footed Ant
- The white footed ant can reach up to 3mm long as an adult. The white footed ant gets its name due to the pale white/creamy colouration to its 'tarsi' (feet), this is quite distinguishable when viewed up close. Nesting often in hard to reach places of your home including void areas within walls and well covered areas of garden foliage. White footed ants are primarily sugar feeders.
- Carpenter Ant
- A large ant reaching potential size of 12mm long, the carpenter ant is often an ant of much concern by customers in the belief they actively destroy wood much like termites - this is false. Carpenter ants will "bore" into moist wood however as they do not eat cellulose like termites instead preferring to consume sugary foods such as honeydew and are known to protect plant destroying aphids to feed on their sugary secretions. Control of this ant is important before large numbers are reached as to minimise risk of damage to trees and further damage to decaying timbers.
For more information regarding these ants, other types of ants or for help controlling your ant issues contact us today on 0499 838 814 or contact us below.
(Ant photo source - ya-webdesign.com).
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