Ants

    Ant Control Services In Gold Coast

    Ants are the insects that belong to the order Hymenoptera. They are found in fossil records all over the globe. Their colonies range from a few dozen ants to highly organized territories that consist of millions of individuals. They are truly fascinating creatures. They can carry up to 50 times their body weight, some species don’t have lungs and have been on the planet Earth for about 280 million years. The life cycle of an ant consists of four stages: Egg, Larva, Pupa and Adult. The development from egg to the adult stage can take up to six weeks to a very long time, depending on the species, food availability and season of the year. Book your ant control services Gold Coast today!

    Ants communicate with each other using chemical signals known as pheromones. They use pheromones to leave trails to their food sources, to signal alarm signals for help, or to give directions about a location. Other ants in the colony use their antennas to detect these pheromones and respond accordingly.

    With over 1300 species found in Australia, only a few are considered pests. They are:

    Sugar Ant: They vary greatly in size ranging from 2.5mm to 15mm. They have blackheads and are normally rusty in color. Their life-cycle consists of eggs, larva, pupa and adult phases. They mainly nest outside in wood, plants, twigs of trees, between rocks, or in the soil.

    Black House Ant:   They are native Australian ants. They are oval-shaped, shiny black in color and about 2.5 to 3mm long. They are considered domestic pests as they nest around the outside areas in cracks or gaps, pathways, roof voids, or wall cavities.

     Coastal Brown Ant:  They are also known as bigheaded ants. It is golden brown to brown in color and their size varies from 1.5mm to 2.5mm. They are quite invasive in nature and forage on oil and protein-based food sources. They are common in urban dwellings and their colonies can go beyond the normal property boundaries.

    Fire Ant:  They are a major pest invading both Agricultural and residential areas both indoors and outdoors. They are copper brown to brown in color and work are3.18mm to 6.3mm. They attack small animals and can kill them as well. They nest in moist areas such as rivers, parks, and ponds. Their mounds can be found in outdoor areas as they can feed on young plants and seeds. Their nests are found in outside areas under timber, wooden logs, or bricks.

    Ghost Ant: It is a small ant with workers ranging from 1.3-2mm. It has pale and translucent legs and abdomen.  They are difficult to see because of their size and color. They are found inside the high moisture areas such as the Bathroom, Kitchen and Laundry cabinets.

    Process

    Unless otherwise specified, the following steps provides a general protocol for treating ant infestations;

    Inspect

    Inspect the house and the surrounding area to find the ant trails that can help in locating nesting sites or colony. This procedure can help in determining entry and feeding points of ants. Our technicians use innovative techniques to identify the species of ant and to determine the most appropriate control measures.

    Prevent

    Ants are expert at finding even the smallest cracks and crevices in walls, windows and foundations to enter a home. Sealing of any potential entry points using caulk and other appropriate products can be useful in preventing infestations.

    Treat

    This process involves treating the nests/colony if possible. Alternatively, the surfaces where ants are most active, can be treated using sprays or dusts. Baits can be used where other forms of pesticide are not helpful.

    Maintain

    After the treatment is done and entry points are sealed, it is important to maintain the cleanliness in or around the house. Attractants such as sugar or greasy food are the main reasons ants enter a house. Food items must be stored in sealed containers, etc.