Ants in and Around Your Property

Black Ants

Common black ants are the species most people see in gardens, patios and kitchens.

Key facts

• Live in colonies in soil, lawns and under paving slabs.
• Enter buildings for shelter or food.
• Feed on many foods, especially sugary items and foods with protein.
• Leave scent trails so other ants can follow them to food sources.
• Often seen in long lines across floors, paths and worktops.

Black ants are social insects so you see them in large numbers once they find a food source. This can cause contamination of food and surfaces in kitchens and food areas.

Flying Ants

Flying ants are the winged males and young queens of the colony. You usually see them on one or two warm summer days each year.

What happens during a flying ant day

• On a hot, calm day hundreds or thousands of flying ants leave the nest.
• Queens mate in the air with males.
• Queens then land, lose their wings and start new colonies.

A few flying ants in the garden are normal. If large numbers appear from under floors or skirting boards inside your home, this can mean there are one or more nests under the building that may need professional treatment.

Ghost Ants

Ghost ants are also called black headed ants. They are small and can be hard to see at first.

Identification

• Size around 1.5 mm long.
• Dark head and thorax.
• Pale, almost see through abdomen and legs.
• Often look like tiny moving dots rather than clear ants.

Behaviour

• Like warm buildings such as houses, care homes and hospitals.
• Colonies can contain many thousands of workers and several queens.
• Prefer sweet foods like sugar, honey, jam and syrup.
• Outdoors they feed on honeydew from aphids.

Ghost ants spread by forming new nests from the main colony. You should use a professional pest control service if you suspect an infestation.

Red Ants

Red ants are more aggressive and can sting. They can quickly spoil time in the garden or on a picnic.

What you need to know

• Stings are painful but usually local.
• Nests are often in soil, lawns and flowerbeds.
• Children and pets may disturb nests by accident.

You can often control small nests with targeted treatments. For large or repeated problems, ask for professional advice.

Pharaoh Ants

Pharaoh ants are one of the most serious indoor ant pests. They are very small, active and can spread disease.

Where they are found

• Hospitals, nursing and care homes.
• Restaurants, school kitchens and food factories.
• Flats and apartment blocks.
• Any warm building with food and moisture.