Black ants

Why control them?

Black ants or garden ants as they are more commonly known, can become a problem during spring and summer months when they nest in and around buildings and gardens. Large swarms of flying ants can sometimes emerge from early spring. These are mating ants. Swarms may last up to 3 hours. After mating the males die but the females shed their wings and dig a cell in the soil where they may start new nests.

Ants feed on a wide range of foods but are particularly attracted to sweet substances such as sugar or honey and will often invade homes, kitchens and cupboards in search for such food.

Although ants are not inherently 'dirty' insects, they may sometimes walk across unclean areas during their foraging. This leads to them being considered unacceptable.

When one foraging worker ant successfully locates a food source it is able to communicate this information to her co-workers which can lead to vast numbers of worker ants invading and contaminating human foods.

Prevention control

Control measures should only really be required where ants are invading or living in properties. To prevent invasion good hygiene is essential.

Always:

• Ensure all food waste and spillages are cleaned up immediately.
• Keep foods sealed in tight-fitting containers, especially sweet foods like sugar.
• Avoid leaving pet food out for long periods.
• Ensure that the rubbish bins are emptied regularly.

In cases of invasion:

All cracks and crevices and other faults in the building should be sealed with mortar/cement or mastic, as appropriate. These proofing measures should be supported with the application of a residual insecticide.

Successful ant control using insecticides takes a great deal of time and effort, as nests are frequently inaccessible and difficult to destroy. For this reason the best person to control the problem is often the occupier.

Using an insecticide:

• Apply a continuous band of insecticide around doors, windows, ventilators, ducts and drains to form a barrier both internally and externally. Re-apply any external insecticide washed away by rain.
• Wall/floor junctions, ant runs and harbourages should all be treated.
  Particular attention should be given to small insignificant cracks, which may be major points of entry for ants.
• Regular treatments will be required and should start when the first signs of activity are observed, normally in late spring.
• Treat flying ants with a suitable aerosol insecticide.
• Some 'delayed action' insecticide baits can be very effective in destroying ants' nests. The worker ants transport the poison back to the nest, which is then destroyed. The main active ingredients are sodium tetraborate and trichlorphon.
• Suitable insecticides can be bought from most supermarkets, DIY stores and chemists.

Safety first

Please remember that pesticides are dangerous. Always read the label before use and follow the manufacturers instructions at all times. Keep pesticides away from children and pets at all times.

Further advice or treatment

If you have any questions about this information or would like a professional treatment, please contact us