Infobreaks Newsletter

Before You Sign a Contract For Pest Control Services: Be sure you fully understand the nature of the pest to be exterminated. Find out of the company has liability insurance to cover any damage to your home. If a guarantee is given, know what it covers. Don't expect a treatment to last indefinitely. Get bids from several different companies in order to compare prices. Discover what goes on behind the closed doors of your local pest control company. Pest Control Facts Revealed

Although the following article comes from Australia, most of it can be applied in the US also. This is a great article on ants. Ant Control


Ant Control For Homeowners
So those pesky ants are starting to be a problem? Ants are the most frequent and persistent pests encountered around homes and buildings. Besides being a nuisance, ants contaminate food, build unsightly mounds on our property, and cause structural damage by hollowing out wood for nesting. Species such as fire ants inflict painful stings, which can be life threatening to hypersensitive individuals.

Red Fire Ants - A Brisbane pest -A potential pest for Sydney Recently a serious new pest that has been detected in Sydney- the Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA).

These nasty pests are destructive to the environment and have the potential to destroy agricultural production.

The national program which is in its second year is being overseen by the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries. 1.4 million dollars has been made available for allocation among the states and territories to fund approved surveillance proposals.

Fire ants look very much like ordinary house or garden ants. They are:

Small; Reddish-brown in colour on the head and body, with a darker abdomen; and Come in a variety of sizes within one nest, ranging from 2mm to 6 mm. This is a distinguishing feature of fire ants.

Their nests look like dome-shaped mounds up to 40cm high. Mounds will not always be evident, but are usually found in open areas such as lawns, pastures and along roadsides. Fire ants will cause a nasty sting, which can causes a small blister to form at the site of each sting after several hours. If you think that you have seen one of these ants or ants nests, do not disturb or touch them. Contact me at Best Pest Control at angela@bestpest.com.au

Ants are social insects which live in nests. The nests vary in size depending on their age and the species of ant. They are generally found in the ground, in wood or under rocks, although ants can also nest in walls, fireplaces, under paths and in buildings. They are most active from October to March.( in Australia )

Ants are a very successful insect group with over 1200 species occurring in Australia. All species can be beneficial to the environment. Some eat insect pests such as termites, their nests improve the soil, they quickly recycle nutrients back into the soil and they are food for a wide range of native birds, reptiles and other small animals.

Although ants are environmentally important, some can also be pests to people. Their nests and the ants themselves may be considered unsightly and they may kill or damage seeds or seedlings. Some ants bite or sting, eg. the bull ant. Ants can also cause damage to houseplants, nursery plants and crops by the cultivation of sap sucking insects such as scale and aphids. Ants use the honeydew produced by these pests as a food source and in turn protect the sucking insect from attack by predators.

Ant species in Sydney
The Black House Ant ( Iridomyrmex glaber) and White Footed House Ant ( Technomyrmex albipes) are small black ants 2.5-3mm long. They nest in rockeries, near or under paths, in wall cavities and in potted plants. They eat a variety of foods and are attracted to sweet substances. They give an annoying bite but do not sting.

Meat Ants ( Iridomyrex purpureus) are 12-14mm long and are red/purple and black. They like sunny areas and often build large gravelly mounds. They feed mainly on animal material, and honeydew. They can bite but do not sting and rarely enter houses.

Sugar or Carpenter Ants ( Camponotus species) are 5-15mm long, they have orange/brown bodies, black abdomens with an orange/brown band and black heads. They nest in decayed moist wood or sometimes in the soil. They feed on dead and live insects, honeydew, household waste and are attracted by sweet food. These ants do not sting and rarely enter houses.

Bulldog or Bull Ants ( Myrmecia species) have red bodies and black abdomens. They are about 20mm long. These ants can cause a painful sting. They rarely enter houses and are usually found in the garden or bushland areas.

Argentine Ants ( Iridomyrmex humilis) Are about 3mm long and are light to dark brown in colour. They do not have the formic acid smell ants usually have and they are very active in their movements.

Control
Sanitation Sanitation is important in preventing infestations by ants. Inside the house, pet food bowls, dirty dishes, food crumbs on the floor, benches or tables and sap sucking insects on indoor plants can all attract ants. Outside the house, unemptied rubbish bins, food and old drink cans also encourage ants. Keeping these areas clean and controlling sap sucking insects indoors will greatly reduce the chance of ants becoming a problem around the house. Placing pet food bowls in a tray of water may lessen the problem.

Chemical Control Chemical control may be warranted if a persistent infestation of ants causes a problem/nuisance. See our web-site for useful tips at http://www.bestpest.com.au

Types of ants To most householders, all ants look pretty much alike. Dozens of different species occur around homes and buildings, each having unique characteristics, which may influence the method of control. In Sydney, the most common house-invading ants include black ants, white-footed ants, carpenter ants, pharaoh ants, fire ants and odorous house ants. The latter species has become a particular nuisance in recent years, and will be discussed later in detail. Knowing which ant(s) you have often requires the help of an entomologist or knowledgeable pest control firm. Collecting a few of the non-winged worker ants in a plastic bag or vial will help with subsequent identification. Dealing with ants can be very frustrating.

Ant Characteristics Ants are social insects, which live together in cooperative, intermingling colonies. The colonies may range in size from hundreds to millions of individuals, depending on the species. Within each colony are different types of individuals, each with a specific function. All ant colonies contain one or more queens, whose primary role is to lay eggs. The eggs hatch into white, grub-like larvae that later transform into adult "worker" ants. The workers feed and care for the queens and developing brood, and are the ones seen foraging for food and water, often at great distances from the colony. Ants lay down invisible odour trails, which the workers follow between food and the nest. In many species, the trail of ants is distinct enough to be followed back to the nesting location, or to where the ants are entering from outdoors.

At certain times of the year, ant colonies produce large numbers of winged individuals known as swarmers. These winged ants emerge from the nest to mate and establish new colonies. When a swarm of ants emerges inside a home, it's an indication that a nest is present within the structure. Fortunately, the success rate for swarmers establishing new colonies inside buildings is low. Nonetheless, an exodus of winged ants emerging indoors can be disturbing and often mistaken for termites.

The Difference between Ants and Termites Winged ants can be distinguished from termites by comparing certain features. Ants have a narrow (pinched) waist similar to wasps, whereas termites are virtually the same width from end to end. Ants and termites each have four wings; however, on ants the front wings are longer than the hind wings while on termites all four wings are of equal size and length. Finally, the antennae of ants are bent or "elbowed" whereas termite antennae are straight.

Ants build their nests in many different locations both inside and outside of buildings. Species nesting inside, or foraging indoors for food or moisture, tend to be the most challenging to control.

Ant Control.. The mistake most people make when attempting to control ants is only spraying the ones they see. This approach usually fails because the ants seen foraging over exposed surfaces is only a small portion of the colony. Typically, there will be thousands of additional ants including one or more egg-laying queens hidden somewhere in a nest. Eliminating queens and other colony members within nests is often the key to effective ant control.

Ants Nesting Indoors.. Buildings contain many favourable hiding and nesting sites for ants. Preferred sites include spaces behind walls, cabinets, and appliances; behind window and door-frames; and beneath floors and concrete slabs. Most of these areas are hidden, making it difficult to determine their precise location. When the location of the nest cannot be determined or is inaccessible, insecticide baits often are a good option, especially for homeowners.

Consider Using Ant Baits.. The advantage in using baits is that foraging ants take the insecticide back to the nest and feed it to the queen(s) and other colony members. As a result, the entire colony often is destroyed. Most baits sold to homeowners come pre-packaged with the insecticide and food attractant confined within a plastic, child-resistant container. Baits are easy to use and often effective. Place the baits next to wherever ants are seen, preferably beside ant "trails" (invisible odour trails which worker ants follow between food and the nest). Do not spray other insecticides or cleaning agents around the bait stations, as this will deter ants from feeding on the bait. Initially, you should see an increase in the number of ants around the bait station -- DO NOT SPRAY THEM. This indicates that the ants are feeding on the bait and transporting the insecticide back to the nest. Ant activity often will subside in a matter of days as the number of ants in the colony declines. Continue to place additional baits wherever ants are seen. Ants are rather finicky in their food preferences and may alter them throughout the year. If one bait product isn't attractive or doesn't seem to be working, try another. Optimal results usually require a sustained period of feeding, not just a brief visitation by a few ants. Professional pest control firms have a wider selection of bait products to choose from.

Ants Nesting Outdoors.. Ants noticed inside the home may actually be nesting outdoors in the yard. Try to trace the ants back to the point where they are entering from outside. This may be along a window sill, beneath an entrance door, or where the exterior siding meets the foundation wall. Ants usually prefer to trail along lines and edges. When tracing ant trails indoors or outdoors, pay particular attention to cracks, seams, and edges created by baseboards, the tack strip beneath perimeter edges of carpeting, mortar joints, the foundation- siding interface, etc. Nests often will be located in the ground, marked by a mound or anthill. Other times, the nests will be concealed under mulch, gravel, stones, landscaping timbers, pavement, or beneath the grass edge adjoining the foundation wall of the building. Some kinds of ants prefer to nest behind exterior siding or wood trim that has been damaged by moisture. While it takes patience to locate an ant colony outdoors, results will be more rapid and permanent than if you only spray where ants are seen trailing. One way to entice ants to reveal the location of their hidden nest(s) outdoors or indoors, is to place small dabs of honey or jelly on an index card, etc., next to where ants are observed. After the ants have fed, they will head back to the nest.

When a below-ground nest is discovered, the colony often can be eliminated by spraying or drenching the nest location with a liquid insecticide. Large colonies will require greater amounts of liquid to move the insecticide throughout the network of underground galleries within the nest (using a bucket to apply the diluted insecticide concentrate is an effective method). Follow label directions for treating ant mounds, paying attention to precautions for mixing and application. Another effective and convenient way to control some species of outdoor and indoor-nesting ants is with a granular bait product. Sprinkle the bait in small amounts beside outdoor ant mounds, along pavement cracks, and other areas where ants are nesting or trailing.

Physical Ant Control.. Caulking around door thresholds, windows, and openings where utility pipes and wires enter buildings can reduce ant entry into homes. A Brisbane pest control company http://www.scientificpest.com.au , specialises in this physical control.

Treating under doors and along foundations can reduce ant entry from outdoors.

Spraying or applying granular insecticides to the entire yard is not recommended, and will seldom, if ever, solve an ant infestation indoors. Whole-yard treatments also eliminate beneficial ants, which help to keep other damaging pests of lawns and gardens in check.

Odorous House Ants.. The odorous house ant has become the most common and difficult ant species to control in Sydney, and throughout much of Australia. The ant is small, darkish, and forms distinct trails along outdoor and indoor surfaces.

It is often mistaken for the pavement ant, which can readily be controlled with most baits. The most accurate diagnostic difference, visible under magnification, is the absence of a noticeable node or "bump" along the constricted area between thorax and abdomen of the odorous house ant. Odorous house ants emit what's been described as a rotten coconut or pine scent when crushed with a finger and sniffed.

Odorous house ants will nest in virtually every imaginable location. They commonly nest outdoors under pavement, stones, mulch, woodpiles, flowerpots, and house siding, foraging indoors for food and moisture. Nests also occur indoors within wall cavities, appliances, potted plants, etc., especially near sources of moisture. The nests tend to be mobile; colonies relocate fast, and often in response to changes in weather and disturbance.

Ants forage indoors for food and moisture. Odorous house ant colonies tend to have numerous, egg-laying queens and the primary colonies may split into smaller ones for no apparent reason. Ants foraging indoors feed on all manner of foods, ranging from the rubbish bin to the cereal bowl.

This particular ant is difficult to control, especially by householders. As with all ants, activity indoors can sometimes be reduced by removing ready access to food and moisture (water leaks, spillage, trash cans, pet food dishes, etc). Wiping away the invisible odor trails with a kitchen cleanser or mild detergent can sometimes have temporary relief. Do not disturb foraging trails, however, if you are using bait. Caulking obvious ant entry points also may be helpful, along with trimming back shrubs and limbs touching the building. In nature, this ant feeds extensively on plant nectar and honeydew excreted by plant-sucking insects such as aphids. When odorous house ants are the problem, homeowners may be better off calling a professional, although this ant, too, challenges them. Some products used by can be effective, but are not available to the general public.

CAUTION! Pesticide recommendations in this article are registered for use in Sydney Australia only! The use of some products may not be legal in your state or country. Please check with your local county agent, Brisbane pest control firm or regulatory official before using any pesticide mentioned in this publication. This article taken with permission from http://www.ant.org.au