If you see a few ants wandering around on the floor, they might be just having a look around, helping themselves to whatever is lying about. However, they might be the sign of a larger ant infestation. If you have a large number in your kitchen then it is advisable to treat them. They don’t wipe their feet as they wander about and can spread bacteria. Always keep food areas clean and debris free, that will stop ants being attracted to you kitchen.
Ants have been around for many millions of years and follow each other with a pheromone trail to a food source. This chemical attracts other ants to find the food. They will all then follow the trail and keep collecting until that food source is gone. They collect small particles of food and take it back to the nest where it is prepared for feeding to the young ants.
A nest site can look like a small pile of soil or dirt. Some species of ant like to make their home in walls or other quiet, dark places, which are more difficult to spot. Some like heated places like offices and hospitals. Most have very complicated nest tunnels many chambers and often several queens.
Dealing with an infestation can often be dealt with DIY products, like Ant Killer Gel or ant powders they may help you get rid of small garden ant infestations. But for other species, or larger problems, you should get in touch with our experts. All our treatments are safe for your family and your pets.
Ants belong to the insect order Hymenoptera. They are close relatives of bees and wasps. Each colony can hold up to half a million ants. Worker ants can live for up to seven years, while a queen can live for up to 15 years. Ants swarm once every year in August. The young queens fly away and set up their own, new colonies. If you hear people talking about flying ants, this is the ants they are talking about. The queens have wings until they mate then the wings drop off and they can be seen walking around looking for a new nest site. The male ants are very much smaller and also have wings. We get most calls during this time as people can get alarmed by the number of flying insects, there is no easy treatment as the ants leaving the nests are not eating. This event usually only lasts a day or so and then peace returns to the colony.
The main four UK species are Garden Ant, Roger’s Ant, Pharaoh’s Ant, Ghost Ant, Pavement Ant, unfortunately I don’t have the space in this article to expand on their habits.
IN the pest control business ants can be dealt with using a high powered gel insecticide, but for certain locations special sprays and powders are also used. If you are considering using a pest control technician always check their qualifications, insurance and are a member of a recognised association. If you treat pests yourself always use the correct protection and read the label of anything you use.
Have a Happy Christmas and a pest free New Year.
Andy - First Choice Pest Control Limited
