Garden Ants
Scientific name: LASIUS NIGER
Garden Ants usually nest outdoors in lawns, flower beds, beneath
paving flags and at the base of walls.
During summer, winged females (Queens) and males leave the nest on
one or two warm afternoons and take flight. During this flight the
ants mate. Sometimes, during this flight which lasts for two to
three hours, the ants may fly inside buildings. In this event the
problem may be overcome by using a flying insect aerosol
spray.
Houses are usually invaded by worker ants foraging for food,
especially sweet foods. When food is found by one ant, there will
soon be others and a trail of worker ants take food back to the
nest.
Control
If possible, trace the trail of worker ants to the nest. The
openings to the nest can often be distinguished by small piles of
fine earth being brought up from underground. If the nest can be
exposed, pour boiling water into it. If it is not possible to trace
the nest, use an insecticidal dust or spray labelled for the
control of crawling insects to treat outside the building and the
ground around. Special attention should be paid to likely entry
points such as door frames, air bricks and waste pipes to create an
insecticidal barrier.
Pesticides that contain BENDIOCARB are usually found to be most
effective. The same insecticide may be used indoors where ants have
been found wandering. Application should form a continuous band
around skirtings etc. taking care not to contaminate food with
insecticide.
If a householder elects to treat the ants themselves, use a
bendiocarb powder currently cleared for use in and around the home.
Care must be taken to follow the instructions on the label.
Houses are usually invaded by
worker ants foraging for food, especially sweet foods. When food is
found by one ant, there will soon be others.
