Sydney Ant Control and Eradication


Sydney & Northern Beaches Ant Control and Treatments.

Why are ants considers pest?

Ants are of vital importance to the environment as they help aerate soil by there daily behaviours, which in turn allows water and oxygen to reach plant roots helping  plants grow.

But why are they considered pest? Ants typically only become a issue when they enter buildings and residential homes in search of food and water or when they create nests in homes or gardens.

Ants look for food and water in homes

Ants are attracted to a wide variety of foods and liquids with different ant  species having different preferences for which are mainly put into 2 different categories sugar and protein feeders.which both require different treatment options.

Ants are also attracted to water sources and often  will search for water which can also lead them into a property even if a food source isn’t present. In most species scout ants will locate a food source and place a pheromone trail leading other ants back to it to help transport it to the colony .This often leads to  large numbers of ants quickly appearing around the food item of interest.

Ants are also know to infest electrical circuits board , hot water heaters as well as power points and light fittings where they can cost thousands in repairs and increase the potential risk of electrical fires.

Ants destroying a expensive irrigation pump

Where do ants make nests in homes?

Ants typically create nest outside however when heavy rain  or extreme heat occurs they can move there nests into homes to escape the elements

When ants find there way inside the majority of pest ant species will often create nests within walls cavity and foundations as well as within indoor plants, and between fittings. Ants typically do not cause structural damage to buildings and structures .

Ants typically nest in outside gardens largely unnoticed by property owners however nesting can some times result in soil being dug up on lawns and gardens, around pots and between pavers resulting in a unpleasant look and can make surfaces uneven and unsafe . Some species can form nests with large  tunnels systems underneath the soil surface which can  Undermining the strength of retaining walls and interference with drainage systems as well.

Ant infestation inside a cupboard
Ant nest outside

Professional Ant control Sydney

Most homeowners don’t often realise that “do-it-yourself” ant eradication treatment can actually make things worse in a variety of different ways . Most pest sprays which are often purchased in hardware stores over the counter such as Bunnings are repellent which means the ants can detect it and Avoid it. While it may kill of some ants When they track over the product it doesn’t not transfer back to the ant colony itself meaning the treatments often fails and the problem isn’t resolved.

At clean and green pest managers we use a variety of non-repellent products these differ to repellent products as Ants  cannot detect these ant control products as they are invisible to them and, therefore them simply crawl  through them without noticing until it’s to late  . As these ants return to there colony , they are without knowing tracking the product with them and transferring it to the rest of their colony. Eventually , this eliminates all of the ants and most importantly  the queen. While this method is slower then repellent products , it nearly always results in the complete destruction  of the ant colony.

Professional ant baiting

Our 5 Steps process for controlling ants.

At Clean & Green Pest Managers the job of controlling ants that invade property’s is a five-step process:

Inspection

The first step is a thorough inspection to locate foraging trails, ant nesting areas and conditions conducive to ant infestations. Typically more than one species may be found in and around a structure. When inspecting for foraging workers ants,we  pay close attention to ‘lines’ where ants like to travel, such as expansion cracks in driveways and footpaths and along foundation walls, fence lines, etc.

Identification

By identifying the ant species our technician can use their in-depth knowledge of the species, habits and biology to locate and develop the most cost-effective control strategies for that particular species of ant.

Recommendation

While chemicals treatment are important part of any treatment plan we first start with a integrated pest management (IPM) program that addresses the current problem and identifies conditions that may contribute to the infestation. Correcting these conditions helps prevent future infestations and reduces the overuse of treatment products.

Treatment

In most cases, effective control includes a pesticide application such as residual liquid sprays, dusts and baits in combination with non-chemical control procedures that eliminate conditions conducive to ant infestations, such as exclusion, trimming vegetation away from the structure, eliminating moisture problems, removing dead wood, and so on.

Evaluation

We continue to monitor or success of the program and are able to adjust our tactics if required.All our ant treatments also include a lengthy free service period meaning if the ants return so do we free of charge.

What you can do to prevent ant infestations?

  • Clean Up : Ants love to feed of crumbs or food often left in kitchen and dinning areas over night by ensuring all food is placed in bin and food in sealed containers this can help prevent ants being attracted into you house in the first place
  • Vacuum Often: By regularly vacuuming around your kitchen and dinning room floors you can help prevent a ant infestation as these are areas scout ants often look for crumbs and left over food scraps.
  • Wiping Down Surfaces: When ants find residue such as spilled juice etc on benches and floors. They inform other ants with there pheromone trails to help direct them to  food source. By cleaning surfaces you can help get rid of the potential food and trails.
  • Seal cracks and crevices: Sealing entry point where ants enter the property such as gaps around doors and windows frames can help prevent ants coming inside.
  • Trim branches: ensue all tree branches over hanging above your property are cut back as any with use these to gain entry into your property.

Common ants found in Australia

Argentine ant (Lineepithema humile)

Argentine ant colonies usually live in damp areas in close proximity to their food sources.. their Colony numbers usually fluctuate depending on the season , there nest sizes sometimes vary from 100 to many hundred thousand worker ants and plenty of queens. once their outdoor conditions are too wet or dry, Argentine ants can sometimes enter  buildings by trailing on tree and ligneous plant branches, utility lines like power and phone lines.


Argentine ant identification
·     One node section with sharp, pointed peak.
·     Brown; some brownness.
·     Uneven thorax.
·     12-segmented antennae, no club.
·     Sparse body hairs.
·     No stinger.
·     Monomorphic workers (one sort, identical form), 3.5 mm long.
 
Big-headed or coastal brown ant (Pheidole megacephala)

The big-headed or coastal brown ant (also known as the tramp ant) is one of a group of species that are notorious for their ability to spread worldwide and cause mayhem in their new surroundings. Big-headed ants enter buildings occasionally, preferring to nest in protected soil (such as under stones, leaf litter, mulch, patio blocks, slabs, firewood and landscape timbers). Some nest in open areas where they make small mounds.

Big-headed or coastal brown ant identification
• Light brown to dark reddish brown.
• Two node segments.
• Uneven thorax.
• One pair of spines on thorax.
• Front half of head is sculptured; back is half-smooth and shiny.
• Several species make sounds when alarmed.
Black house ant (Ochetellus glaber)

Black house ants are tiny and black in color. The males have wings. Females don’t have wings till once mating, once she becomes the reproductive queen hymenopter. worker ants are sterile and their role is to keep up the nest, gather food and feed the larvae. Another sign for locating nests is that the mess of black fecal matter on floors, window sills and benches, that indicate nests above or close to the fecal matter.

Black house ant identification
• Black in Color.
• Single two-dimensional node.
• Chewing mouthparts.
• Average 5–3.0 mm long.
Pavement ant (Tetramorium caespitum)

Colonies average 3000–4000 ants with many queens. Pavement ants commonly nest in soil; but, they sometimes nest inside in walls, insulation and beneath floors. Colonies can move close to a heat supply in winter

Pavement ant identification
• Light brown to black with paler legs and antennae.
• Two node segments.
• Uneven thorax has combine of little spines on higher back.
• 12-segmented antennae, three-segmented club.
Carpenter ant (Camponotus spp.)

Moderately sized ant colony’s usually contain around 3000 workers or more with one queen per colony (colonies sometime contain satellite nests that typically consist of workers, larvae and pupae; in conjunction with the main colony, the full population might exceed 15,000). Nests sometimes originate in damp, decayed wood and voids and will later expand into sound wood.

Carpenter ant identification
• Black (other Camponotus species could also be dark brown, redness or a mix of those colours).
• One node phase.
• Circular ring of hairs at finish of abdomen (visible with hand lens).
• Spineless thorax, profile equally rounded on side.
• Top of gaster coated with long, yellow or white hairs.
• 12-segmented antennae, no club.
• No stinger.
Pharaoh ant (Monomorium pharaonis)

Pharaoh ant colonies range in size from many hundred thousand workers and a number of other hundred reproductive females to very tiny colonies with a hundred workers and one or 2 females. These ants nest almost anywhere however Hot heat, wet areas close to sources of food and water – in wall voids, behind baseboards, in piece of furniture, below floors and between linens.

Pharaoh ant identification
• Pale yellow to red body with black shading on the highest, rear portion of the abdomen
• 12-segmented antennae,
• three-segmented club
• Two node segments
• Uneven thorax with no spines.
Ghost ant (Tapinoma melanocephalum)

Ghost ant nests are moderate to giant with thousands of workers and lots of queens. inside nests are typically situated within wall voids, behind baseboards, between cupboards and walls or in potted plant soil.Ghost ants readily enter buildings, typically by trailing from nests along Areas, like foundations or via branches. Ghost ants can enter structures from ground to roof levels. workers run rapidly and unpredictably, trailing on edges and corners.

Ghost ant identification
• Dark head and thorax; pale abdomen and legs.
• One node section, hidden from read.
• Uneven thorax; no spines.
• 12-segmented antennae; segments bit by bit thicken towards tip.
Red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta)

The red imported ant causes serious medical, agricultural and property harm. fire ants are terribly aggressive and can sting repeatedly, particularly once their colony/mound is disturbed.
The first detection in Australia of red imported ant occurred in Brisbane in 2001 and triggered a national cost-shared obliteration program Lead by the Australian state Department of Primary Industries.

Red imported ant identification
•Stinger present; stings are painful.
•Reddish brown with darker abdomen.
•10-segmented antennae, two-segmented club.
•Two node segments.
Hairy or crazy ant (Paratrechina longicornis)

Hairy ants are noted for their erratic movements. They appear to be lost and confused. Colonies tend to be small, with up to 2000 workers and eight to 40 queens. Workers follow trails of up to 30 metres to forage for food. Outside, nests are shallow and in soil under objects or in plant cavities, trees, rubbish, refuse, mulch and potted plants. Hairy ants enter homes in autumn or after rain when honeydew supplies are reduced.

Hairy or crazy ant identification
•Very long antennae and legs compared to body.
•First antennal segment about twice as long as head.
•Slender, dark brown to black body with grey sheen/luster.
•One node segment.
•Uneven thorax.
Bull ant (Myrmeciaspp.)

People who have been stung by a bull ant never forget the experience.
Bull ants are large, alert ants that can grow up to 30–40 mm. They have characteristic large eyes and superior vision, long, slender mandibles and a potent venom-loaded sting. Many species of bull ant have bright red or orange colours on the head or abdomen.

Bull ant identification
•Many species, generally red or orange/brown head and thorax but the bulbous part of the abdomen (gaster) is dark or black.
•Some species can be dark all over.also the jumper ant, Myrmecia nigrocincta (length 12–17 mm) is a distinctive black and reddish-brown
Odorous house (Tapinoma sessile)

Odorous house colonies might contain up to one hundred thousands ants with severalqueens. Super colonies might exist wherever food, water and brood are changed between satellite locations. Indoors, odorous house ants nest in wall voids, particularly around hot-water pipes and heaters, and in crevices around sinks and cabinets. Odorous house ants ar possibly to enter buildings oncecolonies become terribly giant and natural food and water sources become scarce and once climate conditions ar extreme (drought or flood).

Odorous house ant identification
•Workers emit a rotten, coconut-like odour once crushed.
•Uniform brown to black color.
•One flat node phase, hidden by abdomen.
•Uneven thorax; no spines.
Green-head ant (Rhytidoponera metallica)

Green-head ants – also called green ants or sometimes metallic pony ants – are dark coloured with a metallic sheen that varies from blue-green to purple-green. Green-head ants are common throughout Australia and colonise disturbed areas quickly. They are very common in urban areas such as yards, gardens and parks, and are usually seen on the ground or on low vegetation.

Green-head ant identification
•Stings are painful.
•Dark coloured, metallic sheen – blue-green to purple-green.
•Size range 5–7 mm long.
White-footed ant (Technomyrmex albipes)

White-footed house ants nest in an exceedingly form of locations and colonies will contain 1,000,000 or a lot of adults. These ants wish to nest in dead wood however also will invade and short out air conditioners. They nest in piles of timber, firewood, stones, bricks, refuse and serious vegetation at foundations or in trees
Foragers typically get in buildings from trees and shrubs touching walls or roofs. Once within, staff forage on baseboards on top of-and below carpet edges.

White-footed ant identification
•Dark body, sometimes black; yellownesstarsi at finish of legs.
•One node phase, planate and hidden underneath abdomen.
•Uneven thorax.
•12-segmented antennae, no club.

Meat ant (Iridomyrmex spp.)

The genus Iridomyrex, which is one of the most abundant, conspicuous and ecologically important group of ants in Australia, which includes meat ants. Meat ants live in sandy or gravel soils in urban areas, forests and woodlands.although they do not sting they can give a painful bite. They also are known to smear defensive secretions on enemies.

Meat ant identification
• Main colours are red and black.
• Average length about 1 cm.

Commonly Asked Questions About Ants

How do I get rid of ants in Sydney?

There are a few things you can do to get rid of ants in your Sydney home. One is to call an exterminator and have them come out and spray for ants. Another option is to try some DIY methods like using boric acid or setting out ant traps. You can also try to keep your house clean and free of food scraps and crumbs that might attract ants. Whatever method you choose, make sure you follow the directions carefully and take precautions to avoid harming yourself or your family.

How much does it cost to get someone to get rid of ants?


The cost of getting rid of ants will vary depending on the severity of the infestation and the size of your home. If you have a small problem, you may be able to get rid of ants yourself with some DIY methods. However, if you have a large infestation or your home is difficult to treat, you may need to hire an exterminator. The average cost for an exterminator to come out and spray for ants is about $300

How can I prevent ants from coming into my house?


There are a few things you can do to prevent ants from entering your home. Make sure there are no cracks or crevices around your doors or windows where they could get in. Keep food scraps and crumbs cleaned up so they don’t attract ants. And, if you have an ant problem, make sure to get rid of the source of the problem so they don’t come back.

Is it worth getting an exterminator for ants?

If you have a small problem with ants, you may be able to get rid of them yourself with some DIY methods. However, if you have a large infestation or your home is difficult to treat, you may need to hire an exterminator.

What is the best ant killer in Australia?

There is no one “best” ant killer in Australia. However, there are a few things you can do to help discourage ants from coming into your home. Make sure there are no cracks or crevices around your doors or windows where they could get in. Keep food scraps and crumbs cleaned up so they don’t attract ants. And, if you have an ant problem, make sure to get rid of the source of the problem so they don’t come back. You may also want to consider hiring an exterminator if you have a severe infestation.

Why is my house full of ants?

There could be a few reasons why your house is full of ants. One possibility is that you have an ant problem. Another possibility is that you have food scraps or crumbs around that are attracting ants. Or, it could be that there are cracks or crevices around your doors or windows where they could be getting in. Whatever the reason, there are a few things you can do to help get rid of the ants. One is to call an exterminator and have them come out and spray for ants. Another option is to try some DIY methods like using boric acid or setting out ant traps. You can also try to keep your house clean and free of food scraps and crumbs that might attract ants. Whatever method you choose, make sure to follow the directions carefully and take precautions to avoid harming yourself or your family.

Is there a natural ant repellent?

There are a few natural ant repellents that you can try. One is to mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spritz it around your doors and windows. Another is to mix together 1 part baking soda and 3 parts sugar and set it out in a dish where you’ve seen ants. The ants will be attracted to the sugar but the baking soda will kill them. You can also try using boric acid, which is a natural insecticide. However, it can be harmful to pets and children if not used properly, so make sure to follow the directions carefully.

What is the difference between black ants and carpenter ants?

Carpenter ants are a type of black ant. They get their name because they like to build their nests in wood. They can cause damage to your home if they build their nests inside the walls or in the framing of your house. Black ants are a general term for a variety of different species of ants that are black in color. Some species of black ants can bite, but most are not harmful to humans.

How do you find a black ant nest?

One way to find a black ant nest is to look for where the ants are coming from. If you see a line of ants marching into your home, follow them back to their nest. Another way to find a black ant nest is to look for small piles of dirt or sand near where you’ve seen ants. This is where the ants have excavated their nests. If you can’t find the nest, you can also try using a store-bought ant bait and following the directions on the package. The bait will attract the ants and they will take it back to their nest, which will help you find it.

Do ants come out at night?

Some species of ants are more active at night, while others are more active during the day. If you have an ant problem, you may want to set out ant baits or traps near where you’ve seen them so you can catch them when they’re most active.

Book an ant control treatment : call 0477 688 496 or complete our enquiry form »

 


Sydney & Northern Beaches ant and pest control services

If you have any questions about removing ants from your home or business premises, contact the team at Clean and Green Pest Management for obligation free advice.  We are your local Northern Beaches pest controllers specialising in both traditional and the green pest control methods that are safe for your family and pets. Our licensed pest controllers can advise you on the safest and most sustainable ways to control pests including cockroaches, fleas, silverfish, fleas, rodents, spiders, ticks, wasps and bed bug eradication.  We can also assist with possum removal and bird control methods. We strive to give you the best experience possible in terms of value for money, explanation and clear communication about how we plan to implement our services and pest control treatments.  Click here for a pest removal quote or click the buttons below to get in touch.

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