The black garden ant is the ant most homes and businesses in the UK end up dealing with. A single colony can hold as many as 10,000 ants, which gives you some idea of how quickly an infestation gets out of hand. Each colony has just one queen, but she can live for up to 15 years, so the problem has real staying power.
You will usually spot ants outdoors first, around flower pots, in the corners of the garden and in the gaps between patio stones. They rarely stay put, though. Sooner or later they come indoors looking for food, and they are not fussy. Leftovers, a bowl of fruit, even other insects will do nicely. That is exactly why food should never be left sitting out, and why anything that does stay out belongs in a tightly sealed container.
Leave food on the side and you invite more ants in. Keep it stored away properly and they will give up and find somewhere else to forage.
Spotting the nest
If ants have moved into your home, remember that they will travel a fair distance for food, so the source might not be where you expect. Your job is to track down the nest. A small mound of pushed-up soil is the classic giveaway.
From there, look for the points where ants are getting indoors and treat them. Ant powder works well, and plain salt does the job too if you would rather avoid powder. Cinnamon is another effective deterrent, but it can be harmful to some pets, so salt or a pet friendly ant powder is the safer bet in homes with animals.
Keeping ants out for good
Cleanliness is half the battle. Keep your kitchen and any food preparation areas spotless, because the smallest sticky residue is enough to draw ants in, and once one finds it, the rest of the colony soon follows the trail. Do not stop at the kitchen either. Crumbs down the back of the sofa and sweets dropped on the carpet are just as tempting elsewhere in the house.
It helps to deal with any ant you see and to vacuum your floors regularly, which breaks up the scent trails they leave between the nest and their food.
The trouble with ants is simply that there are so many of them, they are everywhere, and they get indoors with ease. Good housekeeping goes a long way, but a full infestation usually needs more than that. If ants have taken hold, call in the experts. As pest control specialists we can clear them from your home or business and keep them from coming back. Get in touch to find out more.