Ant Control is important as ants are incredibly resilient insects and the most common pest that infiltrates buildings. They thrive in various environments and often invade our homes, competing with us for food and shelter. Their primary goal is to expand the colony and feed its members. These insects are carriers of diseases and often scavenge for rotting food in garbage bins, pet food bowls, animal carcasses and even dog excrement. They can track bacteria into our homes, contaminating benchtops and our food. Ant colonies can vary in size, ranging from a few hundred individuals in outdoor gardens to highly organized armies living within the walls of our homes, numbering in the millions. The sighting of a single ant inside the house typically signals that a more significant invasion is imminent. Ant colonies constantly send out scouts to locate new food sources, leaving an invisible pheromone trail that guides others to follow and invade. In Australia alone, over 4000 ant species are known, and all of them can bite, causing allergic reactions in children and adults and even death in some cases. Therefore, removing ants from kitchens and food storage areas is crucial as quickly as possible, as even small numbers can rapidly increase.
Ant Species
Ant species are fascinating. Some live in colonies with a single queen, while others thrive with multiple queens. Australia alone is home to about 1200 ant species, each with its unique characteristics, and only a handful of them are considered pests.
Argentine Ants
Argentine Ants measure approximately 1.5mm long and appear to be light to darker brown. They do not swarm and do not sting but may bite. Argentine ants have numerous queens and may nest in various spots throughout the garden, making it hard to control them.
Bull Ants
Bull Ants are known for their intimidating appearance, as their name suggests. They can grow up to 17 to 21mm long and come in black or red colours. Their nests are underground, and the entrance holes are easily visible. Bull ants forage for nectar and insects and don’t damage to or nest in buildings. However, they have aggressive and territorial behaviour and can deliver a painful sting.
Coastal Brown Ants
Coastal Brown Ants also known as Big-headed Ants, are indeed common pests in suburban areas, in Melbourne, despite their “coastal” name. These ants are light to dark brown in colour and are known for building nests in gardens, under rocks, pavements, and building foundations. They can become a nuisance due to their ability to enter homes in search of food and their aggressive displacement of native ant species. Additionally, they may damage structures by undermining foundations and disturbing soil.
House Ants
House Ants are shiny black. They invade your kitchen and appear out of nowhere they can grow to be about 2 – 3mm in length. They are commonly found in homes and gardens, where they forage for sugary substances and other food. These ants can sometimes be a nuisance due to their attraction to sweet foods, but they play an essential role in ecosystems by helping to recycle organic material.
Ghost Ants
Ghost Ants are aptly named for their unusual, almost translucent appearance. Their pale abdomen and legs, combined with a dark head and thorax, give them a striking and ghostly look. Measuring only about 1.5 mm in length, these ants are tiny and can be challenging to spot, especially on light surfaces. Ghost ants are known for their preference for sugary foods and can often be found in kitchens or near water sources. They are capable of forming large colonies, which can spread across multiple locations.
Green Ants
Green Ants also known as Metallic Green Ants, are indeed distinctive due to their appearance and odour. These ants are typically 5-6mm long and have a dark body with a shiny, metallic green head, which makes them stand out among other ant species. They are known to emit a sharp, distinctive odour when disturbed. Green ants are often found in gardens, forests, and urban areas, nesting in soil, under rocks, or in decaying wood. Unlike some other ant species, they are less likely to invade homes but can sting if provoked, which can be painful.
Odorous House Ant
The Odorous House Ant is a small ant species known for its distinctive rotten, coconut-like smell when crushed, which gives it its name. These ants are typically black or brown, measure about 2.0–3.5 mm in length, and have six legs. Their antennae have 12 segments, and unlike some other ants, their antennae do not end in a club. Odorous house ants are common indoor pests, particularly attracted to sugary foods. They often nest in wall voids, under floors, or outdoors under rocks and logs. While they don’t sting, their presence in large numbers can be a nuisance.
Pavement Ants
Pavement Ants are small ants, typically blackish or dark brown in colour, and grow to about 3mm in length. They have six legs and can sometimes have winged individuals which are often mistaken for termites during their swarming season. However, unlike termites, pavement ants have a pinched waist and bent antennae, distinguishing them from their straight-bodied termite counterparts. These ants are commonly found nesting in cracks in sidewalks, driveways, and building foundations, hence the name “pavement ants.” Indoors, they are attracted to sweets, grease, and other food particles.
Pharaoh Ants
Pharaoh Ants are tiny ants known for their distinct features and complex colony structure.
- Workers: They are 1–2 mm long, with brown abdomens and a yellow-brown body, and they have black eyes. The pedicel (the narrow waist) has two small segments.
- Males: Slightly larger at 2–3 mm, they are black, winged, and primarily serve a reproductive role.
- Queens: The largest members of the colony, ranging from 3–6 mm long, with a dark red body and wings (though they lose wings after mating).
Pharaoh’s ants are notorious indoor pests, forming large colonies with multiple queens. They prefer warm, humid environments and are drawn to sweet and greasy foods. Their colonies can spread quickly if disturbed.
Singapore Ants
Singapore Ants are small ants, measuring 2–3mm in length, and are easily recognized by their light brown body with a darker abdomen. Their head has a somewhat flattened appearance, which is another distinctive feature. These ants are known for their destructive habits, particularly their tendency to chew on materials like plastic, rubber, and even electrical wiring, leading to damage in homes and buildings. Singapore ants are also a nuisance pest because they often invade kitchens in search of sweet or greasy foods.
Sugar Ants
Sugar Ants also commonly referred to as banded sugar ants, are a diverse group of ants with significant variations in shape, size, and colour. Their size can range from 2 to 15 mm, depending on the species and caste within the colony. They are often recognized by their bright and distinctive coloration, which may include orange, brown, or black patterns. Sugar ants are well-known for their attraction to sweet substances like nectar, honeydew, and sugary food scraps, making them frequent visitors to homes. They typically nest outdoors in soil, wood, or under rocks but can venture indoors in search of food.
White-footed House Ants
The White-footed House Ant is a small ant species measuring about 3mm in length. They are predominantly dark brown or black, with their most distinctive feature being their yellowish-white feet, which make them easily recognisable. These ants are commonly found in homes, forming trails along walls and ceilings as they forage for sugary foods. They often nest indoors in wall voids, roof spaces, or outdoors in decaying wood and soil. While they don’t sting or bite, their large colonies can become a nuisance if left unchecked.
