Why Ants Are Considered Pests

Australia is home to over 4,000 ant species, but only a handful are considered pests. These pest ants often invade buildings in search of food and water, build nests in structures or gardens, and can potentially spread diseases.

Ants are attracted to a variety of foods, including sugars, proteins, fats, and oils. During dry periods, they may also search for water. Once an ant discovers a desirable food source, it recruits nestmates to help gather it, leading to large numbers of ants appearing around the food.

Some ants build nests in walls, foundations, potted plants, and other small spaces.

While they generally don’t cause structural damage, some species may occasionally attack electrical wiring, leading to potential fire hazards.

Outdoors, ant nests can cause unsightly mounds in gardens, around pots, and between tiles and brickwork. In severe cases, ant nests can undermine retaining walls and interfere with drainage systems. Additionally, some seed-harvesting ants can be a nuisance to gardeners.

Ants are social insects that live in colonies ranging from a few dozen to over a million individuals. They feed on a wide variety of food sources and can be predators or scavengers. Colonies typically have one or more fertile queens and numerous sterile workers.

Species 

Argentine Ants

Argentine ants are slender, brown ants that are typically 1.5-3 millimetres long. They are an invasive species that travel in slow-moving trails and often nest outdoors around buildings or in trees and shrubs. These ants are attracted to sweet foods, but may also eat meat and dead insects. They can form large colonies with multiple queens and can be difficult to control.

Black House Ants

Black house ants are 2.5-3 millimetres long and are intensely black in colour. They are stockier than white-footed house ants and produce a strong odour when crushed. While they can be a nuisance pest, they are not typically known to cause significant damage. Black house ants prefer sweet foods but will also eat a variety of food. They often nest outdoors around buildings but may also enter homes in search of food or water.

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are one of the most common and widespread groups of ants in Australia. They vary greatly in size and colour, ranging from 2.5-14 millimetres long. Carpenter ants are known for their ability to excavate nests in wood, although they prefer moist, decaying wood. While they can cause structural damage, they rarely tunnel into dry, sound wood. Carpenter ants are usually nocturnal and will often travel long distances for food, eating live and dead insects as well as sweet foods and household waste.

Coastal Brown Ants

Coastal brown ants are shiny and light to dark brown in colour. They are typically 1.5-3 millimetres long, but soldiers can be larger, reaching 3.5-4.5 millimetres. These ants are known for their painful sting and are often found nesting outdoors around paths and rockeries. They may also enter homes and nest in walls or behind skirtings. Coastal brown ants prefer food of animal origin, including dead insects, meat particles, fat, and grease.

Pharaoh’s Ants

Pharaoh’s ants are small, light yellow-brown to darker brown ants that are typically 1.5-3 millimetres long. They are an invasive species that form large colonies with multiple queens. These ants are often found in hospitals and nursing homes and can be difficult to control. They prefer high-protein foods such as meat and blood but may also eat fatty foods and vegetables.

Singapore Ants

Singapore ants are light brown ants that are 1.5-3 millimetres long. They are known for their painful sting and their attraction to plastics in electrical equipment. These ants can cause electrical damage by nesting in power sockets and chewing on wiring, and they can also be a nuisance pest. They form slow-moving trails and feed on a variety of foodstuffs, but they are particularly attracted to animal-based materials.

White-Footed House Ants

White-footed house ants are shiny black ants that are 2.8-3.5 millimetres long. They are often found in moist, forested habitats and are more active at night. These ants can enter homes through small cracks and may nest indoors near a well-maintained food supply. They prefer sweet foods but will also eat meat. White-footed house ants can be a nuisance pest, but they rarely cause significant damage.

Signs of an Ant Infestation

• Trails of ants
• Ants foraging for food
• Ant nests
• Damaged wood (for carpenter ants)
• Piles of soil (for some ant species)

Problems Caused by Ants

• Nuisance: Ants can be a nuisance, especially when they invade homes or businesses.

• Damage: Some ants, such as carpenter ants, can cause structural damage to buildings.

• Contamination: Ants can contaminate food and spread diseases.

• Electrical damage: Certain ant species can damage electrical equipment.

Solutions

To effectively manage an ant infestation, a combination of strategies is often necessary.

Sanitation

Sanitation plays a crucial role in preventing ants from being attracted to your home. Regularly clean up food crumbs and spills, and store food in airtight containers to eliminate potential food sources.

Exclusion

Exclusion is another important step. Seal cracks and crevices in your home, install door sweeps, and repair damaged screens to prevent ants from entering.

Baiting

Baiting can be an effective method for eliminating ant colonies. Place ant baits strategically around your home and follow the instructions on the product. Regularly monitor bait stations and replace bait as needed.

Targeted Treatments

For severe infestations or persistent problems, targeted treatments from a professional pest control service may be necessary. Follow the recommendations of the pest control professional to ensure effective treatment.

How BUGZOFF Can Manage Ants

At BUGZOFF, we offer comprehensive ant control solutions tailored to your specific needs. Our experienced technicians will conduct a thorough inspection of your property to identify the type of ants and the source of the infestation. We’ll then develop a customised treatment plan to eliminate the problem and prevent future infestations. Our services include:

• Inspection and assessment
• Customised treatment plans
• Effective pest control methods
• Ongoing monitoring and maintenance