Ant Treatment Guide

About Ants

Ants are the most populous organism on the planet and there are various species in Australia.  There are 2 types of feeders one preferring sugar and the other protein.  Knowing which ants you are dealing with helps with their control.  Use the information below to determine the pest ant species invading your home.

BLACK HOUSE ANT The Black house ant is the most common ant in Australia as they will be attracted to any food left out in your house.

BULL ANT These ants are usually found in grass and around paths and rockeries.  They are a lot larger than the other ants and are a ruby to black in colour. They are the smartest ant in the world and are very dangerous to humans and livestock and can cause death.  They are super aggressive and will even jump to attack.

CARPENTER ANT Carpenter ants bore into wooden structures like your house or fence and can be as damaging as termites.  They also prefer nesting in wooden structures.

COASTAL BROWN ANT This ant lives in the crevices of brick and concrete and can cause damage to these structures while making nests.  They are also known as the big headed ant as they have a large head in relation to their thorax.

FIRE ANT The fire ant is very dangerous and aggressive and should never be provoked as they can cause death.  They have a relatively small presence in Australia and the only current incursions are in Brisbane, Queensland .  The Fire ant builds a nest from underground with a tunnel to the nest further away.  If you notice a nest with no exit or entry holes it could be a fire ant nest.  Unlike other ants, fire ants are not uniform in size.  If you think you have a fire ant nest in your yard call the government FIRE ANT HOTLINE immediately on 13 25 23 to report.

FUNNEL ANT The funnel is aptly named after the appearance of the entry to its nest- a mound of dirt with a funnel shaped entry. This ant can be very aggressive when defending its nest and often causes unsightly damage to turf due.

GHOST ANT These ants will usually be found in and around your pantry.  They do not sting but due to their movements they can be disease transmitters.

GREEN HEADED ANT Green ants are as large as bull ants and are a metallic green colour. They live around rocks and gravel in your back yard and have a very painful sting which can cause an allergic reaction in some humans.

ODOROUS ANT This ant is similar in habits to the sugar ant and usually enters your home after rain.

PHARAOH ANTS This ant is a sugar feeder and they are the most pervasive species of ant.  They feed in litter and this makes them dangerous for carrying disease.  You will notice them trailing under your sink and around your bin.

WHITE FOOTED HOUSE ANTS The white footed ant will have numerous nests in and around your home.  They nest in tree branches, wall voids and leaf litter and mulch, they have very large colonies and can be difficult to control. They prefer sweet food but will also live on insect carcasses.  If you have an infestation they will feed on fruits in your garden which make the white footed ant a problem.

Why are Ants a problem?

Although ants play their part in our ecosystem and are very important, invasive ants can cause a variety of problems, not only to humans but also livestock.  Ants can cause health issues by disease transmission, cause discomfort and sometimes even kill with their stings.  Houses, gardens, and lawns can also be damaged by their nests. 

UDOO's Treatment Guide Will Tell You How to Get Rid Of Ants in a Few Simple Steps!

Inspecting for Ants

When inspecting for ants look for ant trails, nests and frass (small wood shavings) around timber structures. Cracks around concrete paths and pillars are also a sign.  Even if you only see a small number of ants you may still have an infestation as ant colonies often send out scouts to find food sources.  Check around your pantry and toaster where there may be crumbs, around your bin and underneath sinks.  In order to find the nest follow the trail of ants. 

Outside check under leaf litter and pot plants, and tree trunks and branches, also check around your pets water bowls.  Some ants nests will be very visible as mounds in your backyard or paddock.  Ants nests usually have exit and entry holes in this mound.  If you locate a mound with no exit holes it may well be a fire ant nest so do not disturb it as they are very aggressive.

Pre-Treatment Measures

• Remove food sources from around your home and yard. This can include food debris such as toast crumbs and sugar granules and dead insects on window sills. Food sources outside can include pet food, dog bones and insects
• Where possible move pets food and water bowls away from the home so they do not attract ants to the home
• Seal potential entry points around your home
• Maintain a healthy hot compost with equal measures of green and fruit so as not to attract ants to your garden and plants

How to Get Rid of Ants?

Step 1- Inside

If you find an ant infestation within your home or building it is more likely it is caused by a sugar feeding ant species however there are some oil/protein feeding species such as the pharaoh ant and Singapore ant that nest indoors. Pay particular attention to what it is in the home the ants are attracted to. For example, if they are found around the top of your honey bottle they will be attracted to sugar based baits.

Sugar Feeders Where evidence of Ant activity has been found within the home place Antmaster Liquid Ant Bait in a receptacle, station or in an undisturbed position at intervals along ant trails and/or where ants are seen. Place in areas where they will not be disturbed or contaminated by cleaning or work activities. Do not place bait on surfaces that are regularly washed or where an insecticide surface spray has been applied. Once feeding is established maintain sufficient bait levels until feeding has ceased. It is recommended that bait levels are monitored at least daily for the first 2 days or longer depending on level of infestation.

Baiting Tips

• Bait effectiveness will be optimised if other possible sources of food (e.g. food spillages and debris) are eliminated.
• Ants are highly attracted to this bait and a great numbers of ants will be seen around the bait for some time after placement. These ants should be allowed to continue to feed and bait replenished when necessary.
• The bait may thicken when exposed for long periods in air-conditioning. Bait stations placed in air-conditioned areas may need to be replaced on a more regular basis. These hardened baits will re-liquefy if warmed in the sun and can then be re-used.
• Any bait remaining on indoor surfaces after the infestation has been controlled can be washed off with soap and water.

Oil Feeders

Place Synergy Pro Ant Bait in a receptacle or bait station at intervals along ant trails and/or where ants are seen. Place in areas where the bait will not be disturbed or contaminated by cleaning or work activities. Do not place bait on surfaces that are regularly washed or where an insecticide surface spray has been applied. Once feeding is established maintain sufficient bait levels until feeding has ceased.

Step 2- Treat Outside

Option 1. Bait Ants for complete colony control 

Protein/Oil Feeders Where the nest cannot be located Broadcast Synergy Pro Ant Bait over infested areas at a rate of 20-40gm per 100m2. Individual mound treatments can be carried out by spreading bait over visible nest / mound area at the same rate.

Baiting Tips

• Apply bait in the early spring or summer at the first sign of ant activity
• Avoid application if rain is expected within 6 hours
• DO NOT water treated areas for at least 24 hours after application
• A second application may be required 4-8 weeks following the initial application to ensure all colonies receive an adequate dose

Sugar Feeders Where evidence of Ant activity has been found within the home place Antmaster Liquid Ant Bait in a receptacle, station or in an undisturbed position at intervals along ant trails and/or where ants are seen. Place in areas where they will not be disturbed or contaminated by cleaning or work activities. Do not place bait on surfaces that are regularly washed or where an insecticide surface spray has been applied. Once feeding is established maintain sufficient bait levels until feeding has ceased. It is recommended that bait levels are monitored at least daily for the first 2 days or longer depending on level of infestation.

Option 2. Insecticide Spray Apply Termidor Residual Termiticide & Insecticide at a rate of 6mL per 1L to buildings and structures such as retaining walls, sheds, fences and garden beds. Treat 300mm up and 300mm out from where the building/structure touches the ground. 1 Litre of solution will treat 25 lineal metres. Spray should also be applied to ant trails.

Option 3. Immediate control of sprayed insects on fruit, vegetables and ornamentals Mix 2mL of Pyrate Natural Insecticide Concentrate Into 1L of water and apply as a fine mist to pest infested areas. Pest must be contacted with spray. Monitor plants for surviving pests and reapply if necessary.

Always read product label prior to use.