About ants
Ants are social insects related to wasps and bees. Each ant belongs to a colony with workers and one or more queens, and a colony can forage over a wide area. The black garden ant is the most common ant in Britain and is the one most often found trailing into kitchens in spring and summer.
Black garden ants do not pose a major health risk, but they are a real nuisance in homes and workplaces. They also farm aphids, which can damage fruit and flowers in the garden.
Signs of ants
- Trails of ants along skirting boards, worktops and window sills
- Small piles of fine soil at the edge of patios and paths
- Flying ants appearing on warm, humid summer days
- Ants gathering around sweet food, pet food and bins
How we treat ants
We trace the trail back to where the ants are entering, treat the nest and entry points, and recommend sealing gaps at wall and floor junctions. Small problems can sometimes be handled with shop-bought products. Larger or recurring infestations need a professional treatment with the right product for the job.
Tiny yellowish Pharaoh ants are found in heated buildings such as hospitals, flats and food premises. Spraying them can cause the colony to split and spread, so they need a specialist baiting programme. Call us before treating them yourself.
