One of the commonest insects that invade houses is the Garden Ant. The ant is an active insect and nests outside in grass, walls and under paving. It enters buildings in search of food.

Appearance

The Garden Ant is a relatively large ant 3-5mm in length and dark brown to black in colour.

Life cycle

Ants have developed different individual groups to carry out specific tasks i.e. workers (sterile females); fertile males and queens (fertile females). The worker ants build and extend the nest, look after the young and find food, whereby they become pests. They are attracted to sweet foodstuffs, which they take back to the nest and feed to the larvae and queen. Flying ants are the reproductive males and females. These mating ants are winged and have a nuptial swarming flight during a few days in July or August. Mating takes place in the air and females then seeks out a nest site where she stays for the winter. The following spring (April) she lays her eggs, the larvae hatch in 3-4 weeks and are fed by the queen until they pupate. The first worker ants then emerge.

How can ant infestations be controlled?

Although frequently inaccessible and difficult to destroy, ants nests must be eradicated if infestations are to be successfully controlled. The nests of the Garden Ants can be located by following their trails and by observing small piles of fine earth brought up from under flagstones, for example.

• Boiling water poured on the nest will control the infestation for a short time at least.
  
• This should be followed up by puffing a residual insecticidal powder product into the hole. Select a powder product which lists ants on its label.
  
• Potential food sources should be protected from attack.
  
• Flying ants should be controlled by using an appropriate insecticidal aerosol for flying insects.
  
• A residual insecticidal lacquer can be applied around door thresholds, wall/floor junctions, windows, ventilators, ducts and drains; in fact anywhere you see ants run. Attention should be given to small cracks. If you regularly experience problems with ants it is recommended the above treatment commences during the late spring.
  
• Some products cause the workers to destroy their own nest,  for example sugar based liquid bait containing borax. The workers are attracted to the bait and carry the insecticide back to the nest.

Will the treatments affect other animals/pets?

Some products on the market are not harmful to pets whereas some are. You are advised to read the label on whichever product you use and follow the instructions carefully, taking the necessary precautions when applying the product.