Ants are social insects that live in nests.  They have several cases with specific duties for the survival of the colony.  For this reason they are often confused with termites (white ants), but the two groups have very little in common - apart from their size and social behaviour.

Ants feed on a wide range of foods, from those found in homes to the sugary excretions from plant bugs.  They are the most frequently encountered insects in and around the average home.

Ants are considered nuisance pests in the house as they enter from outside in the garden and make their way to the food handling facilities.  Depending on the species of ant, their nests are made under paths and cavities.  Ants can also carry disease organisms.  Certain species are attracted to dog faecal droppings, and to other waste products in garbage, particularly those containing organisms causing dysentery or pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella.

 

                                          

Coastal Brown Ant (Pheidole Magecephala)

These are light-brown, about 2-3mm long.  They are often located in walls of houses and behind skirting.  They prefer meat and fats rather than sweet foods.
 

 

Whitefooted House Ant (Technomyrmex Albipes)

These are black ants about 2.5-3.0mm long with pale feet.  They nest in cavity walls, rockeries and behind kitchen cupboards.
 

Greenhead Ants (Rhytidopeners spp.)

These are black ants with metallic green heads.  They are about 5-6mm long.  They have a characteristic odour and painful sting.  They nest under paths and feed mainly on vegetable materials.
 

Meat Ants (Iridomyrmex spp.)

Meat ants are red and black and about 13-14 mm long.  Their nests are low mounds of soil with gravel on the surface.  They eat mainly animal products and some sweet materials.  These ants do not sting.

 
 

Bulldog ants (Myrmecia spp.)

These species are either black or red and range in length from 12-15mm.  Their nests are low mounds.  All bulldog ants can sting.

Chemical measures

Insecticides may be used as sprays applied to the nest or when this cannot be found, to the areas when the ants gain access to various parts of the house.  When the nest is located, the eradication of the colony is usually achieved.  Some of the insecticides approved for this use are the organophosphates clorphrifos and diazinon, carbamates bendiocarb and propoxur and the synthetic pyrethroids deltamethrin and cypermethrin.

Some sprays of dichlorvos or pyrethrins can be applied to the sites of activity, but better results are obtained if the nest is located.  Chlorpyrifos, when formulated as a lacquer, has a long-term residual effect when applied to particular surfaces.

Temporary control is usually achieved by the use of insecticidal dusts such as permethrin or bendiocarb.  Dusts may also be used as a special application in enclosed spaces such as electric power boxes and roof cavities.

Ant baits can be used successfully where insecticides cannot be used or when the nest cannot be located.  The bait is collected at feeding sites, taken back to the colony by the workers, and fed to others including the queen and developing larvae.  This usually results in the demise of the whole colony.  The bait must be a formulation that is attractive to the particular species.  Hydramethylnon has proved successful in the eradication of the colony of certain species.  Boron is also used in the preparation of baits for particular species.  Baiting procedures are usually on the label.  Granular formulations of ant baits are being used more in homes because of their ability to eliminate entire ant colonies.

ANTS – WHAT TO DO

When ants occur inside a house, the following procedure is suggested:

1. Inspect the house and the area outside to locate the nest or the area from which most of the infestation originates.
2. Identify the species of ant and determine the appropriate control measures. (Identification also often assists in the location of the nest.)
3. Treat the nest or surfaces where ants are active, using either sprays or dusts.
4. Baits may be used where appropriate, or where insecticides are not to be applied.
5. Eliminate food particles by vacuuming and other methods of hygiene, both inside and outside the house