Ants
Pest Control For Ants
Common Black Ants are also known as Garden Ants. Despite their generally harmless nature, these tiny insects can still wreak havoc in your home, especially in the kitchen where they nibble away at food and crawl over areas that may hold bacteria such as in bathrooms and under kitchen cupboards.
In every garden, they're the silent inhabitants, quietly residing in lawns or hidden beneath rocks and paving slabs. They are the very same Ants that venture indoors which is generally when they become a problem.
These Ants sometimes turn up ‘en-masse’ and in several areas of your home. We have seen as many as 15 or more different clumps of Ants clinging to stair bannisters, on skirting boards, window sills, radiators, in carpets etc. We have seen Ant infestations get to the point where residents have moved out of their home.
Although Black Ants, including the Flying Ants are often thought of as being low risk, they do often become an unacceptable visitor.
Fortunately, over the past 20 years we have gained a good understanding of Ants and developed some very successful control methods. We are now able to treat Ants very successfully and with long term results, usually gaining control in a day or two. Our tried and tested methods also enable us to provide a guaranteed period of cover giving you full peace of mind knowing that your problem has been sorted.
Facts About Ants
Ants thrive in bustling communities where several thousand may call a single nest home. Tasked with various roles, worker ants tirelessly build and expand their nests, care for the young, and scour for food. Meanwhile, the queen who is notably larger than her worker counterparts, remains nestled within, her primary duty being the prolific laying of eggs. With a sweet tooth to satisfy, Ants are drawn to sugary delights like plant nectar and the sticky secretions of aphids or greenfly and of course this penchant leads them straight to tempting treats such as jam and other sweet foodstuffs.
Generally late June or September sees the nest's production take flight, literally. Winged fertile males and females, known as Flying Ants, burst in swarms on hot and muggy afternoons. In a flurry of activity lasting two to three hours, males meet their end while females shed their wings, embarking on a quest for new nesting grounds.
Method Of Control for Ant Infestations
Locating and controlling ant nests can pose quite the challenge, often hidden from plain sight and tucked away in inaccessible spots. To track them down, keep an eye out for trails of diligent workers and trace them back to their source. Once found, it's time to act.
For outdoor nests, a strategic pour of boiling water can help but will not destroy the nests. Indoors flying insect sprays have a ‘knockdown effect’ killing Flying Ants, however they will not destroy the nests that are secreted away in cavities, skirting boards etc. As the effect of these products is very short term, sometimes as little as a few minutes they are also not something you should breathe in. Plus, they have the potential to stain upholstery and other surfaces. Ant killer aerosols will also taint foods. So, if you use an aerosol wear a mask, eye protection and cover all foods. Also often forgotten are pets, fish are extremely susceptible to chemical aerosols, cover their tanks fully whilst being treated and for an hour or two afterwards. Take extra care to not contaminate food, as stated the use of aerosols will not solve the infestation, but it will knock down the exposed insects.
We fully understand the stress that ants in and around your home can cause, which is why we provide such a comprehensive, guaranteed solution to your problem. Our fully trained and qualified pest control technicians can help you get rid of your problem quickly, efficiently and long term. The methods we use ensure that children, adults, and pets are safe.
Contact us today, to discuss how we can best serve you and help eliminate your Ant infestation. We are just one local call away!
