The Ultimate Guide to Ant Control in Perth

What Makes Ants Pests

You may not know this, but ants are also considered pests. In fact, they are the most frequent and persistent pests you’ll see around buildings.

Like termites, cockroaches, rats, bees and spiders, ants pose health and safety risks to your home and family. They have the ability to contaminate food, short circuit electricity, and damage structures. Certain species of ants, such as fire ants, inflict painful stings, which can be life-threatening to animals and some individuals.

With their colony-dwelling nature, it’s only a matter of time before getting rid of a significant ant infestation can end up becoming time-intensive and expensive.

So what do you need to do when you spot a colony of ants in your home? It’s best to not ignore them, but you also don’t need to panic because there are safe ways to remove them. If you want the most effective way to get rid of ants congregating around your residential or commercial property, don’t hesitate to give your local pest controllers a call.

How to Spot an Ant Infestation

Ants are a very social pest and like living in large colonies. While they don’t make noise when they go marching, it’s typically easy to spot them. Their trail usually leads from a crack or gap in your wall or floor and areas where there are food and moisture. You will get hints for a possible nest nearby if you notice these 4 common signs.

1. Ant Pathways

Wherever ants travel, they lay down a pheromone trail to communicate with any ants that may follow. When other ants from the same colony find the scent marked by their scouts, they will follow the pathway that leads straight to the food source.

2. Live Ants Sightings

Ants have a colony-dwelling nature, which means they move around in large groups. If you see a large number of live ants in your home or office, it can be an indication that you have an ant problem. Remember that while ants are often found in areas where food is prepared, some species make their nest in walls and other dark places.

3. Disturbed Soil or Dirt

A nest site of ants can look like a small mound of soil or dirt and can be a sign of an ant infestation. When ants build a nest mound, it is more susceptible to disturbance. So if you see disturbed soil or dirt with a swarm of ants, you might want to distance yourself because ants are very defensive of their nests.

4. Wood Shavings

When an infestation of carpenter ants goes unnoticed for a while and has become severe, piles of discarded wood shavings and debris can usually be found. Carpenter ants carve space into the wood to create nests for their colony, often leaving small piles of sawdust-like wood shavings at the bottom of the infested wood structure.

Different Types of Ants and The Problems They Cause

You likely have seen at least one of these common ants but didn't know what type it was. We have listed down their names, where they can be encountered, and the damage they cause, so the next time you spot them in your area, you’ll already have an idea of what they look like and what to do to prevent them.

Type: Pavement Ants
Damage: Nuisance

Pavement ants are the most common species of ants. They are primarily outdoors, and they get their name from the most common place they are seen—on the pavement. While pavement ants don’t nest in or eat wood and cause structural damage, they also get into your trash cans and building slabs and can make you feel overwhelmed because of their sheer numbers.

Their bites may not be strong enough to break your skin, they excrete a nasty odour when crushed or threatened. These ants can cause a nuisance as they like to displace the dirt around them. When the nests of pavement ants are disturbed, they scatter and create small colonies too.

Type: Odorous House Ants
Damage: Food Contamination

Most ants are attracted to food, but the odorous house ants that are especially known for being fond of sweets and honeydew. When these ants see any opening into your home, they like to forage for food and water and contaminate them with germs and possibly other food-borne diseases.

Ants in general are also known for their opportunistic nesting habits, which means odorous house ants will nest almost anywhere in your home where there's food, such as in your kitchen or pantry.

Type: Carpenter Ants
Damage: Property Damage

Carpenter ants live both indoors and outdoors, but they prefer to nest in smooth tunnels inside the wood. They get their name from their nest building, which means they are commonly seen excavating and crawling along your windows, decks, floor panels and wall cavities.

Carpenter ants take advantage of wooden structures damaged by your leaking roof or any moist areas in your home. When you see these ants on your property, it is best to deal with the problem quickly before they can cause costly damage.

Type: Fire Ants
Damage: Agricultural and Structural Damages

The red fire ants are hard-biting ants and are considered one of the world's worst invasive ants as they can sting their target repeatedly. Their stings are painful and can cause burning or itching, which can be deadly to small animals.

Fire ants can form super colonies and can be very destructive, including agricultural problems directly damaging many plants and structural problems damaging your electrical equipment at home. These ants are threatening and like excavating the ground to create space where they can hide and build their nest.

There’s nothing better than prevention to solve an ant problem at home or in the office. But it is crucial to know that a DIY solution does not always work because there are appropriate methods of control, which depend on the species of ant present on your property.

On top of always making sure your home or office is clean, seeking help from a trusted & reliable pest controller like 5 Star Termite & Pest Control will ensure that you get the best service in preventing, controlling and treating ant infestations. Our licensed pest controllers have the right tools and experience in Pest Control in Perth, including dealing with ant infestations.

Ant Prevention in Perth

We are proud to be the trusted residential and commercial pest controllers that Perth locals turn to for their ant problems. Whether you want to prevent ants from visiting your home or control and treat an existing ant infestation, we have tips and provide the right solution for you.

Since most ant infestations start due to a food source, there are a few things you can do to reduce ant infestations from happening.

• Find and seal any gaps and cracks in outer walls where ants may be entering
• Store fruit in the fridge instead of displaying them on the dining table
• Keep your food items sealed tightly
• Sweep and vacuum the floors regularly
• Immediately wipe away any spills of drink or food
• Check underneath and behind furniture
• Inspect and fix any leaks as moisture attracts ants

Ant Treatment in Perth

If you have an ant infestation or find any pests in your home or business, we’ll help get rid of them quickly. Our reliable ant control services include effective and efficient pest removal and extermination solutions such as the following:

• 24/7 emergency pest service
• Routine pest prevention programs
• Pre-purchase timber inspections
• Inspection, treatment, documentation and review
• Integrated pest management programs for businesses and property managers

Can pest controllers get rid of ants?

Yes, pest controllers have the knowledge and the tools to get rid of ants. A DIY solution doesn’t always solve the problem, and in most cases, it will only make the problem worse. At 5 Star Termite & Pest Control, we accurately identify ant species to treat the colony directly with the best treatment.

How much does pest control cost for ants?

It always depends on the severity, and it's different for every home. However, for most homes in Perth, the cost for a one-time treatment is between $150 and $300. If you want to know more, don't hesitate to consult our experts and get a free quote.

What do exterminators use to get rid of ants?

As licensed exterminators, we have access to the safest and most effective treatments. Disinfectants, granules, dust, and liquid sprays can all be used to treat your ant problem. A good exterminator will ensure that the treatment gets into all the hard-to-reach areas, like air vents and crawlspaces.

Should I hire an exterminator for ants?

If you’ve tried to spray pesticides and ants are coming back, then hiring a pest exterminator for ant control is the next step. We can find where the ants are coming from to treat the problem directly and usually find more colonies that may infest later.