Ants
The Pharaoh's Ant (left) is smaller than the Garden Ant
There are two main species of Ants found in the United Kingdom,
the Garden Ant and the Pharaoh's Ant
The Garden Ant
The garden ant is black in colour and has a segmented body,
workers are 5mm in length and the queen 15mm long.
The garden ant is found mostly in gardens in the UK and will
forage from their nests, which are usually located in gardens in
the soil and lawns close to buildings. They can cause a nuisance by
entering kitchens in the search for sweet foods to take back to the
queen. Garden ants do not carry germs or spread disease but are
mainly a nuisance due to their foraging habits.
Garden ants will swarm in mid to late summer when the males mate
with the females whilst in flight. The males then die, the females
lose their wings and hibernate to create new colonies the following
year. Although the life cycle is complete in two months given
favourable conditions nests may persist in the same place for many
years.
Control
The control of garden ants can be achieved by seeking out and
destroying nests by using boiling water or an approved insecticide
dust or spray directly onto the nest. Follow Manufacturers' advice.
Dusting or spraying openings around building i.e. around windows
doors etc. can prevent ants from gaining access to buildings. Take
all precautions during the season to ensure that all sweet/sugary
foods kept indoors are in sealed containers and spillages cleared
up.
The Pharaoh's Ant
The Pharaoh's Ant is of tropical origins and is smaller in size
the workers being only 2mm long and the queen only 5mm long, both
are yellow in colour.
Because the Pharaoh's Ant is of tropical origins it requires
artificial heat to survive and reproduce. They tend to live mainly
in large heated buildings such as flats and hospitals and have
unpleasant diets such as decomposing foodstuffs. The Pharaoh's Ant
can carry harmful germs picked up when feeding. They are very
difficult to eradicate.
The Pharaoh's Ant develops many colonies within the same nest
which will have several queens. Once nests become overcrowded,
adults and workers will carry off eggs and larvae to new sites to
form new colonies. Although the life cycle is the same as the
garden ant the fact that they live in heated buildings means that
they are not affected by the seasons. They are extremely difficult
to control due to the large number of colonies formed.
Control
The control of Pharaoh's Ants is best left to Professional Pest
Control Contractors.
All Pesticides used in the control/treatment of insects pests
are selective and applied to ensure public safety. Our Pest Control
Technicians will also be pleased to give advice on the safety of
animals where pesticides/rodenticides have been used.
Contact Customer Services
Team Telephone: 01304 872428
E-mail: customerservices@dover.gov.uk
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