While most ant outbreaks can be easily treated, certain types of ants require more targeted or aggressive solutions as they behave differently.

For example, some ant species like Pharoah and Argentine ants can multiply fast andcreate several nests, so they require long-term treatment to prevent sustained attacks. On the other hand, bull ants are known for their painful bites and carpenter ants build their nests in wooden house frames, so you’ll want to prevente an outbreak fast.

However, without special training, it can certainly be challenging to try and identify which species of ant is causing problems around your home or business.

The earlier you figure out which species of ant is the culprit, the faster that the outbreak can be treated, and any potential damage and disruption can be minimised. That’s where professional pest control can make a big difference.

As aggressive defenders of their nests, fire ants aren’t afraid to sting to defend their colony if provoked. These painful stings can swell into welts within 24-48 hours and trigger allergic reactions.

They build distinct nest mounds which can stand over 40cm high above their underground chambers.

Fire ants have a characteristic antennae club, bright copper head and dark brown body. Workers grow between 3.18-6.15mm and queens are 1.59cm long.

Larvae take 16 days to mature.

They feast on dead insects, vertebrates and earthworms, as well as sweets, fatty food and proteins.

Producing a unique coconut smell when crushed, odorous house ants are attracted to places with moisture. However, you’ll also find them lurking around house plants and toilet lids.

They are usually brown or black in colour with 6 legs and antennae with 12 segments.

Odorous house ants grow between 1.59-3.18mm long and take 34-38 days to become adults.

They feed on pet food, sweet foods and fruits, particularly melon.

With their strong jaws, carpenter ants chew through wooden structures and objects, leaving behind wood shavings, also known as frass. They can cause significant structural damage to buildings and trees, and build satellite nests in different areas.

Carpenter ants are usually dark brown, orange or black coloured, with 6 legs and 2 antennae. They range from 3-12mm long, depending on their job classification within the colony.

Workers take 60 days to become adults.

They enjoy feeding on honeydew produced by aphids, dead insects and pantry food items.

If you’ve disturbed a bull ant nest, watch out! They can be very aggressive and secrete venom through their painful bites. With excellent eyesight, they prefer to hide away in areas with dense vegetation, nesting under logs and rocks.

They are red to black coloured and can grow up to 40mm in size. Eggs take 3-4 months hatch and mature into adults.

They collect plant nectar and other plant juices as well as animal prey.

At Allstate, our technicians are highly trained to identify different types of ant species that require specific treatment modalities. This means that you won’t need to worry about getting to the root cause of the outbreak yourself, and you can expect that it will be treated as quickly as possible.

We’re available 24/7 to all suburbs of Adelaide to treat infestations in residential, commercial and industrial settings. Using modern technology and innovative treatments that are safe for people, pets and the environment, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and competitive warranties on all our services.

With payment plans available, there is no need to delay having an ant extermination through Allstate.

As they are unable to regulate their own body temperatures, ants will slow down during winter to hibernate. They prefer to look for a place that is warm, such as your home, to take shelter during winter.

Once the mercury starts to rise in spring, ants will once again become active. They’ll be hungry and start foraging for food as they need to increase their energy levels to work, resume their reproductive cycle and scout for new areas to expand their colony.

This means that once the weather warms up, you may see many ants start to emerge around your home and yard, seemingly out of nowhere.

There are many reasons why you’d want to prevent an ant outbreak this spring. Here’s why:

Ants contaminate food and spread disease

As expert foragers, ants are no strangers to germs. Whether it’s rubbish, pet droppings or rotten food, ants encounter a wide range of germs such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. These can lead to illnesses such as salmonella and e.coli poisoning.

Ant bites

Besides a sharp pain, ant bites can also trigger allergies in some people which can appear as skin rashes, swelling and even anaphylaxis.

Ant outbreaks can happen quickly

A small trail of ants can multiply fast as they attract fellow ants to feeding sites through pheromones.

Carpenter ants can damage buildings

With the ability to chew through wood and build nests inside, carpenter ants can cause major structural damage to walls, panels, floorboards and beams.

Damage to electrical wiring

You may experience electricity disruptions due to ants crawling into wall sockets and chewing through wiring, resulting in a fire hazard.

Fire ants cause damage in the garden

With an appetite for vegetables such as corn, red potatoes and cucumber seedlings, fire ants will eat your food before it has a chance to make it to the dinner table.

Since ant outbreaks can escalate quickly, we recommend calling in an expert to minimise disruption to your home or business. Bear in mind that most treatments will require a period of time before you notice a visible reduction in the number of ants.

An Allstate pest control technician will begin with an initial assessment of the outbreak and locate all potential nesting sites indoors and outdoors.

We’ll then use one or more of the following treatment options, depending on the extent of the problem:

Ant control dust

This is sprinkled into hard-to-reach places such as wall cavities and roof voids.

Insecticide

We apply this to the perimeter of the buildings in treated zones.

Chemical baits

Positioned at feeding sites, the toxic compounds that are ingested by the ants are carried back to the nest to destroy the population.

We’ll replenish the treatment and review its progress as needed to make sure that the outbreak is well and truly under control.

Here are some ways you can tell that these pesky insects are invading your home or business:

Trails of ants

You have more frequent ant sightings than usual, particularly indoors, clustering around a food source. They tend to prefer moving around in large groups along defined trails, travelling between food sources and their nest.

If you want to spend an enjoyable summer outside, we suggest taking the following steps to safeguard your backyard from ants before the hot weather comes.

Remove access to all sources of food and water

• Wipe down surfaces including benchtops, tabletops, stoves and sinks
• Clean any spills immediately
• Cover food in tightly sealed containers
• Sweep, mop and vacuum floors regularly to remove crumbs and spills
• Clear away dirty dishes and throw food scraps away into secured bins
• Cover pet food

Regular yard maintenance

• Keep lawns tidy and rubbish secured
• Clear away debris including fallen fruit, branches, leaves
• Keep plants, bushes, shrubs and trees trimmed and away from your home to remove easy access points

Ants crawling around your kitchen and all over your belongings aren’t a pleasant sight. Thankfully, there are various ways to make sure that this doesn’t happen to you. Here are some natural ant control methods:

Water

Placing your pet’s food bowl within a shallow dish filled with water makes it hard to reach for ants.

Homemade sprays

You can mix essential oils (such as tea tree oil, citrus, clove and peppermint) into a pump bottle filled with water and vodka. Lemon juice and vinegar can also work well, depending on the type of surface. Spray this mixture liberally in areas where you notice ants regularly.

Powdery substances

Sprinkling chalk, baking powder or baby powder around entry points to your home provides an obstacle for ants to come inside. It clogs their pores and causes breathing difficulties.

Deter with overpowering smells

We recommend mixing cinnamon, garlic, mint or black pepper with vinegar. You probably already have many of these everyday pantry staples at home, and it’s as simple as putting them into a bowl and leaving them out. Doing this will leave a strong smell that is unpleasant and repulsive to ants.

Diatomaceous earth

A naturally occurring substance made of ground up tiny fossils, diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled onto heavily trafficked areas. This includes ant trails, ant mounds, along your driveway, the perimeter of your home and patio and your veranda.
It is so versatile that it can also be used indoors, in the kitchen and around doorways and windows.
Diatomaceous earth works by causing damage to the outer shell of ants upon contact, leading to dehydration and eventually death.

We have been helping customers across all suburbs of Adelaide to prevente ant outbreaks since 1986. We understand the disruption and concern that having ants can cause to you, your family and business, so we offer a 24/7 emergency callout service.

Our team of highly trained, licensed professional pest control technicians is fully equipped to assist you with any ant problems. Whether you’re in a commercial, residential or industrial setting, we have innovative, tailored solutions to meet your needs.

We have a thorough understanding of food regulations and Australian standards to ensure that your home or business remains ant-free and compliant.

Our treatments are non-toxic to people, pets and the environment and can be accessed with a payment plan if needed.

Backed by competitive warranties and a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee, we can help protect you and your family from ants in the long term. Speak to a friendly Allstate consultant today to learn more.