Description
Information and Treatment Advice for Common, Garden or Black Ants, and for Tropical Species such as Pharaoh's Ants and Ghost Ants
Common, Garden or Black Ants 
Description:
Typical worker ants are 3-4mm long, of a brown/black colour
with elbowed antennae and biting mouthparts. The queen tends
to be much larger at about 10mm in length.
Biology:
Garden Ants usually nest outdoors in
lawns, flower beds, beneath paving flags and at the base of
walls. Premises are usually invaded by worker ants foraging
for food, especially sweet foods. During summer, winged females
(Queens) and males leave the nest on one or two warm afternoons
and take flight. During this flight, which may only last for
2-3 hours, the ants mate. The formation of a new colony starts
with a mated winged female digging into the earth for the winter,
where the new colony will start in the spring.
Control:
If possible, trace the trail of worker ants
to the nest. If the nest can be exposed, and it is safe to
do so, apply an insect powder directly to the source. If the
nest cannot be traced, use an insecticidal lacquer to act as a lasting barrier at points of ingress, or other residual insecticide spray to treat outside the building.
Special attention should be paid to likely entry points, such
as door frames, air bricks and waste pipes to create an insecticidal
barrier. In addition, use of gel baits can help with longer term control, although
baiting and insecticide should not be carried out simultaneously,
as the baits require the ants to be attracted to the bait,
while insecticides repel. Re-treat after 15-20 days in the
case of established infestation. One-off incidental appearances
between full treatments can be dealt with using Protector
C, or Oa2ki.
Pharaoh's Ants and other Tropical Species
Description: Worker
ants are 1.5-2mm long and yellow-brown in colour, occasionally with a
brown abdomen. The antennae have 12 segments and have a 'club' at the
end with 3 segments.
Biology:
Worker
ants are a nuisance as they forage widely for food and water, following
scent-marked trails. Although omnivorous, they tend to prefer
proteinaceous foods. They will feed on meat, cheese, fats, sugar,
honey, jam, chocolate, etc. Pharaoh's Ants pose a risk to health.
Pathogenic
Control:
Treatment for Tropical Ants is completely different
to common, garden or black ants. The use of regular insecticidal sprays
can splinter colonies, making the problem worse. The only product
currently available to consumers (non-professional), which is effective
against Tropical Ants is the Gourmet Ant Gel
bait system. This product comes in a gel, which can be safely
administered in minute quantities. Worker ants are attracted by its
content of food proteins and sweeteners.
The workers then carry the poison bait back to the nest. It is
advisable to re-treat the premises 4-6 weeks later to ensure successful
eradication of a single colony.
Professional
pest control services tend to charge in excess of £250 for treatment
programmes, so a thorough application of this product could save ££!
Please note, regular insecticides should not be used to treat Tropical Ant infestations - they can make the problem worse!
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