Ants

Latin name: Formicidae (family)

Ants are among the most common insect pests found throughout Australia, occurring in homes, gardens, commercial buildings and landscaped areas. While most species are harmless, nuisance ants can contaminate food, invade buildings and protect sap-sucking insects such as aphids, scale and mealybugs by feeding on their honeydew. Some species, including coastal brown ants and meat ants, build extensive nests that can damage lawns, paving and garden beds.

Ant activity increases during warmer months, particularly from spring through autumn, when colonies expand and foraging workers search for food and water.

Lifecycle

Ants undergo complete metamorphosis and live in highly organised colonies.

Queens lay eggs within the nest.
Eggs hatch into larvae, which are cared for by worker ants.
Larvae develop into pupae before emerging as adult workers, queens or males.
Worker ants forage continuously while queens remain in the nest producing eggs.

Established colonies can survive for many years if the queen remains healthy.

Identification

Adults range from 2–15 mm depending on species.
Colours vary from black and brown to red or yellow.
Distinct narrow waist between the thorax and abdomen.
Elbowed antennae.
Workers travel in well-defined foraging trails.
Nests are commonly found in soil, lawns, under paving, wall cavities and garden beds.

Damage

Contamination of food and food preparation areas.
Nesting beneath paving can cause lifting and instability.
Soil mounds reduce lawn quality and create trip hazards.
Protection of aphids, scale insects and mealybugs, increasing plant damage.
Painful bites or stings from some species.

SOLUTIONS

Around homes, patios and building perimeters: Apply Apparent Surround to ant trails, entry points and nesting areas for rapid knockdown and residual control.

For large outdoor colonies in lawns and garden beds: Apply Apparent Antassassin directly to active nests and foraging areas to target the colony.

Around commercial buildings and landscaped areas: Apply ProForce Rumbler 100SC as a residual perimeter treatment to help prevent ants entering buildings.

Where heavy foraging activity is occurring: Apply Apparent Onslaught to active trails and nesting sites to quickly reduce ant populations as part of an integrated pest management program.