Tailored Pest Control for Ants – Canberra
Whether it’s ants in the home or ants on a business premises, Canberra Pest Control Group has you covered for ant pest control in Canberra. We use the latest targeted treatments to eradicate different types of ants in Canberra. Although ants are generally more active in spring and summer, they can still be a problem in the colder months – particularly if the colony is located in a building.
Signs of an ant infestation
Ants are more likely to reveal themselves during the twilight hours (just before sunrise or sunset); however, colonies don’t always behave predictably. When it comes to ants in Canberra, you should be on the lookout for the following signs
- Ants in stored food – a tell-tale sign that ants are out of control. Always dispose of ant-ridden food to avoid potential bacteria, such as salmonella, streptococcus, e. coli, staphylococcus and shigella.
- A dirt or soil mound with an entry point – these can appear both indoors and outdoors.
- Ants on the move – a long line of ants heading in the same direction is a sure sign of a nearby colony.
- Ants on the move – a long line of ants heading in the same direction is a sure sign of a nearby colony.
- Droppings – ants in large numbers leave what is called “frass” (poop).
- A light rustling noise coming from behind a wall or beneath the floor.
Common ants found in Canberra
Canberra is home to many of Australia’s 1,200+ ant species. As local pest controllers, we regularly encounter the following ant species in Canberra.
Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile)
The Argentine ant is an invasive ant species that originates from South America. Argentine ants are aggressive, particularly towards other ant species. Argentine ants will invade homes in search of food and water, and can be difficult to treat (colonies have numerous queens and certain insecticides are ineffective).
Banded Sugar Ant (Camponotus consobrinus)
Banded sugar ants are native to Australia, and can grow up to 15mm in length. As their name suggests, banded sugar ants like sugar and sweet foods. They also have a distinctive orange/brown band around their abdomens. Banded sugar ants tend not to enter buildings – preferring to live outside near moist timber or in the soil.
Black House Ant (Ochetellus glaber)
The black house ant is a familiar sight in Canberra. It’s a small native ant that breeds quickly and grows up to 3mm in length. The black house ant is often found on ceilings, beams and exposed joists – following other ants in trail formation. Although it likes to climb trees in search of honeydew and insects, it isn’t shy in entering buildings for food.
Bull Ant(Myrmecia spp.)
There are over 90 species of bull ant in Australia. These large, aggressive ants can grow up to 40mm in length. Bull ants are usually found in the garden (as opposed to inside a building), and are known to sting humans if manhandled. A bull ant sting has the potential to cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) in some people.
Carpenter Ant(Camponotus spp.)
Carpenter ants are fairly large (up to 12mm in length) and colonise in moist wood environments, such as rotting logs and tree stumps. They also like to colonise in “susceptible” structural timbers within the home, such as damaged wooden joists. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t actually eat timber, but carve it out with their mandibles (to create galleries for the colony).
Meat ant(Iridomyrex purpureus)
Meat ants prefer to live outdoors in large mounds made from soil and gravel. Meat ants don’t usually enter buildings, unless they’re desperate for food and water. A typical meat ant is purplish in colour and approximately 6-12mm in length. Meat ants become problematic when they build a nest close to where children play, as they become aggressive when disturbed.
For further information on how to treat ants in Canberra, or to schedule a pest control treatment, please call the helpful team at Canberra Pest Control Group on 1300 022 122.