Ants

Apart from being pests, ants can be a bain of our life, they are everywhere. They can transmit disease organisms and infest and contaminate your food. Ants cannot be eradicated, only controlled. Often more than one treatment is required, especially where there is a recurring problem.

The ants we see are only two percent of the total number in the nests. Their nests can be found in many places for example, inside the walls of your home, outside in rotting wood or soil, in rockeries or crevices. There are several different types of ants; workers, which are sterile females; drones, which are fertile males and queens. The ants usually seen are the workers.

There are around 40 established species of ant in New Zealand. The ants mainly found in Auckland are:-

• The White Footed House Ant, a black ant commonly found behind kitchen cupboards, wall cavities and outdoors. They are general feeders eating meats and sweets.
• The Argentine Ant, a light brown ant which bites, generally found in exposed soil or in rotting logs and plant cavities. This ant often moves inside in wet weather.
• The Coastal Brown Ant - light yellow brown found in brickwork, wall cavities. Prefers dead insects, meat and fat
• " The Forceps Ant, a large greyish ant found outside in paths, rockeries and under stones. This ant is responsible for excavations and piles of dirt between pavers.