Ants are one of the most common pests found in Australian homes. While many ants are harmless, others can cause significant damage or become a nuisance, especially when they invade food supplies. At Pest Control Services NSW, we help you identify and manage different types of ants effectively. Understanding which species you’re dealing with is the first step in effective ant control.
Here are some of the most common types of ants found in Australian homes and businesses:
1. Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile)
- Appearance: Small, light brown to dark brown ants.
- Size: Approximately 2-3 mm in length.
- Habitat: Found in a variety of environments, including homes, gardens, and paved areas.
- Behavior: Argentine ants are highly aggressive and tend to form large colonies that can easily spread across vast areas. They are attracted to sweet food sources and often invade kitchens and pantries.
2. Coastal Brown Ant (Pheidole megacephala)
- Appearance: Workers are light to medium brown, with larger-headed soldiers that are darker.
- Size: Workers are around 3-4 mm, while soldiers can be up to 5 mm in length.
- Habitat: Often found in moist environments, including gardens, under rocks, and inside homes.
- Behavior: Coastal brown ants can form very large colonies and are attracted to both sweet and greasy foods. They are also known to be aggressive towards other ant species.
3. Bull Ant (Myrmecia species)
- Appearance: Large, aggressive ants with powerful mandibles and a distinct appearance featuring large eyes and long legs.
- Size: 10-40 mm in length.
- Habitat: Found in forests, woodlands, and sometimes in gardens or grassy areas near homes.
- Behavior: Bull ants are known for their painful sting, which can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. They are not typically interested in food and are more likely to defend their nest aggressively. Their nests are often found in the ground.
4. Sugar Ant (Camponotus consobrinus)
- Appearance: Black or reddish-brown, with a shiny appearance.
- Size: Workers can range from 5 to 10 mm.
- Habitat: Found in trees, wood, and around the home in dark corners.
- Behavior: Sugar ants are attracted to sweet substances, especially during summer. They often invade kitchens, leaving trails to food sources. They are less aggressive than other species and generally harmless.
5. Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta)
- Appearance: Reddish-brown ants with a shiny appearance.
- Size: About 3-6 mm long.
- Habitat: Typically found in warm, outdoor environments such as lawns, gardens, and fields.
- Behavior: Known for their painful sting, which can lead to severe allergic reactions. Fire ants build large mounds and can attack in large numbers if their nest is disturbed. They are an invasive species and pose a significant threat to native wildlife and humans.
6. Black House Ant (Ochetellus glaber)
- Appearance: Shiny, black, and small.
- Size: Around 2.5 mm in length.
- Habitat: Commonly found in homes, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Behavior: Black house ants are attracted to sugary foods, particularly in warm weather. They form trails leading to food sources and can be persistent in searching for food. They are one of the most common household ant species.
7. Pharaoh Ant (Monomorium pharaonis)
- Appearance: Small, yellowish to reddish-brown ants with black markings on their abdomen.
- Size: About 2 mm in length.
- Habitat: These ants prefer indoor environments, particularly in warm, humid areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and hospitals.
- Behavior: Pharaoh ants can be a significant problem in hospitals and other sensitive environments due to their ability to contaminate food and transmit diseases. They are difficult to control due to their ability to split colonies when disturbed.
8. Weaver Ant (Oecophylla smaragdina)
- Appearance: Green or reddish-brown ants with large mandibles and a distinctive appearance.
- Size: Approximately 6-7 mm in length.
- Habitat: Typically found in trees, where they build large hanging nests by weaving leaves together.
- Behavior: Weaver ants are highly territorial and can be aggressive. They use their large mandibles to attack other ants and animals. While they rarely enter homes, they can be a nuisance in outdoor spaces and gardens.
9. Pyramid Ant (Dorymyrmex insanus)
- Appearance: Small and dark brown, with a characteristic pyramid-like projection on their thorax.
- Size: Approximately 3-4 mm in length.
- Habitat: Commonly found in open areas, including gardens and lawns.
- Behavior: Pyramid ants are less likely to invade homes, but they can be a nuisance in gardens and outdoor spaces. They are attracted to a variety of food sources, particularly sweet substances.
10. Garden Ant (Lasius niger)
- Appearance: Small, black ants with a shiny, smooth body.
- Size: About 3-5 mm in length.
- Habitat: Found in lawns, gardens, and other outdoor spaces.
- Behavior: Garden ants are common around homes and gardens, especially in the spring and summer months. They often build their nests in the ground and can occasionally invade homes in search of food.
How to Control Ants:
If you’re dealing with ants, taking prompt action is important to prevent an infestation. Here’s how to manage ants in and around your home:
- Seal Entry Points: Ants can enter your home through the smallest cracks. Ensure windows, doors, and cracks are sealed properly to reduce their access.
- Remove Food Sources: Keep food sealed, clean up crumbs, and store food in airtight containers to discourage ants from foraging.
- Baiting and Traps: Using ant bait and traps is an effective way to target and eliminate ants by attracting them to poison that they take back to their colony.
- Professional Pest Control: For persistent infestations or for dealing with invasive species like red imported fire ants, it’s best to consult professional pest control services to handle the situation safely and effectively.
At Pest Control Services NSW, we provide tailored ant control services to help you keep your home free from ants. Whether you’re dealing with common household ants or more aggressive species, our team has the expertise to handle your ant problems.
