Ants
SOLUTIONS TAILORED TO TACKLE ALL ANT VARIETIES
Ants are considered to be a ‘nuisance’ pest and rightly so. They are often seen tracking across the kitchen bench looking for snacks and setting up home in wall cavities and the ceilings, leaving behind tell- tale mounds from their excavations. Ants have also been known to invade and cause extensive damage to electrical equipment such as printers and meter boxes and even short out electrical power points.
Ants are social creatures and live in colonies in elaborately structured nests and their sole purpose appears to be to feed the Queen (or Queens). Ants (workers/soldiers) leave the ant site to look for food and then return to the nest to feed the Queen and the colony. Ants, depending on the species, have their preferred food type, be it sweet or meat and fats. But this can change, depending on food availability, temperature and the season.
Look closely at almost any Australian yard and you will see ants. Each species has its own unique behaviour and appetite that influence the ways in which they can cause trouble for you. Whatever the species, we can adapt our approach to match. Listed below are just some of the key ‘nuisance’ ants to watch out for:
What we can do
Inspection is carried out to the house and surrounding area, following ant trails to locate nesting sites and determine where ants are entering and feeding.
Identification of the species of ant is critical to determining the most appropriate control measures.
If possible, we treat the nest directly as this usually provides the most effective control. Alternatively, we treat the surfaces where ants are most active, using either sprays or dusts. Sprays are used to treat the full external perimeter of the home as well as inside. Dusts may be used in cracks and crevices as well as in the roof space. Ant baits are used where other forms of pesticide cannot be used but as baiting is a numbers game, we ask that you don’t spray any active ant trails as the more ants, the quicker the control.
What can you expect from the treatment
It can take up to 2 weeks to eradicate an ant infestation. At Frontline Pest Management we use Termidor, it is a non-repellent and it works by using the ‘transfer effect’. This means that ants which track across the treated area and hence come in contact with the chemical will not die straightaway; instead they will transfer the chemical to other ants as they track back to the nest and this will eventually kill off the nest.
If you are still having a problem after the treatment, contact our office within your Free Service Period to organise for a technician to return and re-treat free of charge.
Specialist ant control from the experts
Frontline Pest Management are ant specialists and offer a range of ant control treatments to get rid of even the most persistent ant problems.
Ants are annoying and difficult to control. Spraying ants with supermarket products such as Mortein will only give temporary relief, with the ants returning after a while, often in greater numbers. To get lasting control of ants you need to kill the colony by targeting the queen.
This is where ant experts can help. To achieve lasting control of ants you need to be able to identify the species, understand its behaviour and know which are the best products to use, most of which are not available to purchase in supermarkets or hardware stores.
Here at Frontline Pest Management, we are confident in our ant expertise – we guarantee all of our ant treatments. If ants are driving you crazy, don’t hesitate, just give us a call.
General pest control
General ant control (keeping ants outside of the house) is included in our general pest control treatment, which comes with a 12 months Free Service Period. if you have a major infestation or have an outside ant problem, then perhaps one of our specialist ant treatments may be a better option.
Specialist ant control treatments
How we deal with ant problems
Broadly speaking, ants cause problems around the home in three different areas: inside the home, around the perimeter of the home, and in the lawn.
Indoor ant treatment
Targets ant infestations inside the house.
Ants found inside the house may be coming in from outside, but often they are nesting inside the house. Ants love roof voids and wall cavities where they can be warm, dry and safe! When investigating an indoor ant problem we spend time trying to locate the nest, as this can impact on our ant control measures.
Our indoor ant treatment will also include a preventative ant treatment around the outside perimeter of the home, to prevent new ants entering.
Outdoor ant treatments
We have a range of outdoor ant control treatments depending on the species present and the location of the problem, such as:
• Ants around the building perimeter
• Ants undermining paths and pavers
• Lawn ants.
For more information about the ant control treatments we provide and tips on how to prevent ants becoming a problem in the first place, read on…
Ants outside
Ants around the perimeter of buildings will often find their way inside looking for food and moisture. Some can be particularly annoying as they build their nests under paths and driveways, undermining pavers.
Control of outdoor ants often requires treatment with special non-repellant sprays designed for maximum ant control. The non-repellent nature means that ants walk across treated areas without realising the insecticide is there. Not only does it kill the ants that come into direct contact (within a few hours), but it also gets transferred from one ant to another, maximising its effect and potentially killing the whole colony.
Our outdoor ant treatments come with a 3-6 month free service period.
Lawn Ants
Green Ant Treatments
Green ants (or Green-headed ants) can deliver a very painful sting, that can itch for days afterwards. More seriously, some people suffer life-threatening allergic reactions that require immediate medical attention. If you have Green-headed ants in your lawn, you should certainly take action, especially if children or pets are around.
Our Green-headed ant control programs involve treating the affected area with a non-repellant spray, which is very effective in controlling the colony. Once your property is clear of Green-headed ants, it should remain clear for a number of months. Frontline Pest Management are pleased to offer a <strong>3 months free service period</strong>.
However, with the likelihood that neighbouring properties also have Green-headed ant infestations, treatments once or twice a year may be required to keep your property ant-free.
Funnel Ant Treatments
Although funnel ants are rarely seen, they build their extensive nests underground, where they feed on aphids attached to the grass roots. The results of their excavations can be seen in their unsightly funnels on the soil surface, often appearing overnight after rain.
Underground they are undermining the whole soil structure, making the ground uneven, which can result in damage to lawn mowers and injuries (twisted ankles and more). Badly effected lawns will detract from the value or your home and so it’s best to have the lawn treated as soon as they start to appear.
Our funnel ant treatments require treatment of the whole lawn. This kills the colonies and leaves some residual insecticide in the soil, to prevent new ants moving in. This is a very effective treatment and we provide a 3-6 month warranty (but can last much longer).
Lawn treatments for Green-headed ants and funnel ants are based on the area of lawn to be treated, so when you phone for a quote, please have an estimate of the area to be treated (m²).
Tips for keeping ants out of your house
To reduce the need for an ant control treatment, there are some easy housekeeping tips that will make your home less attractive to ants:
• Trim back any vegetation in contact with the building, in particular the roof
• Clear out gutters of leaf litter
• Fill any holes around doors and windows
• Use weephole guards to prevent ants entry through weepholes in brickwork
• Don’t leave pet food outside
• Clean up food particles from kitchen benchtops, drawers, floors, tables, etc
• Keep food in sealed plastic containers.