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The Ant

Common black ant, garden ant, Lasius niger

Key features

The queen ant lays a variable number of eggs. 3 to 4 weeks later legless grubs hatch. 3 weeks later larvae mature. 2 weeks after pupation adult ants emerge.  Late summer winged and mature males leave the nest and mate and then the males die whilst the females find new nest sites.

The Ant
Many thousands of ants live in a nest in a social hierarchy tending to various functions


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Where do they live?

Black Garden Ants nest mainly in dry soil and humus. Although their nests are most often noticed in gardens – in flower beds, lawns, and under paving stones – they are also common in dry grasslands and heaths.
From their nests, they forage widely for food along scent-marked trails across soil and ground vegetation, and – most noticeably – across paved surfaces and into houses, where they are attracted to sugar and crumbs.
Outside human habitation, they feed on many things: small live insects, dead insects, nectar, seeds, etc. They also feed on the sugary secretions produced by aphids, some other sap-feeding insects and certain caterpillars, and often tend them to protect the source of this food from predators.

Biology

The ant builds its nest in soil, under stones or in tree stumps and it frequently nests underneath paving stones. It may sometimes occupy the nests of other species of ants, colonies number around 5,000 individuals. Small black ants 'milk' aphids, collecting drops of sweet honeydew exuded by the aphids. An extensive range of food is eaten, including seeds, flies, flower nectar and other small insects, which are killed and taken back to the nest Aphids may even be taken into the nest. Winged reproductive males and females engage in a mass mating flight in hot, moist weather throughout July and August. Males die after mating, and females set up new colonies. Queens mate only once, storing adequate sperm inside her body to last her lifetime. The mating flight makes sure that the species disperses; also increasing the chance that males and females from different nests will mate, avoiding inbreeding, the winged reproductive adults of different colonies in one area fly at the same time. After finding a suitable site, the queen begins to produce eggs. The resulting workers are non reproductive females, who take over the care of the colony. After hatching, the larvae at the beginning feed on un-hatched eggs, they are then fed with regurgitated fluid.

Significance

Foraging worker ants cause a nuisance as they travel widely in search of food, following well-defined trails and clustering around the food source. Primarily a nuisance pest, the Black Ant does not pose a significant threat to public health, although they are obviously an unpleasant sight and may damage food used for human consumption.

Control

A careful inspection is necessary before any treatment is started. Ask the client if they have noticed where the ants seem to be coming from, look for all entry points in cracks and crevices in or around the kitchen, bathroom and laundry areas. Initially treat all cracks and crevices and entry points, Gel baits are available for black ants. These rely on the worker ants picking up the bait and carrying it back to the nest and feeding the queen, Place baits where the ants are foraging. Outside try to track the ants back to their nests and flood with a residual insecticide. Spray paved areas lightly, lift up and treat under pot plants. Be cautious with cracks in concrete and under paths. Inform the client to move rubbish bins and pet’s bowls away from the house.

The Ant

 

Pharaoh’s ant, Monomorium pharaonis

 

Key features

The Pharaoh Ant

Monomorium pharaonis, or pharaoh's ants as they are commonly known, are a common species of ant that can be found in urban environments around the globe.
Monomorium pharaonis originated in Central and West Africa though has managed to spread over the last century mainly due to the increase in international trade, because of this it is known as a tramp species. It has now established itself as one of the premier ant pests in urban environments; this is mainly due to its biology, aspects of which it shares with two other tramp species that are also considered major pests. The main concern with these species is their potential as a vector for disease when hospitals are infested as well as the general nuisance factor.
The workers of this species of ant are only around 2 mm in length, with the queen being larger between 3 and 4 mm long, while the males are around 3 mm. The colouration of the workers is light yellow with a darkish abdomen. The characteristic of the Pharaoh's ant appearance is the double 'waist' known as the pedicel, which in fact constitutes the first segments of the abdomen

Biology

Monomorium pharaonis is a highly polygynous species i.e. there are many queens within a single colony. Colonies are also polydomous (live in multiple nest sites) forming a network of trails between nests.
These two aspects of pharaoh's ant biology mean that colonies can reach mammoth proportions.Queens lay approximately 350 eggs. Larvae hatch after 2 weeks and are fed by workers.
After a number of skin changes pupation takes place. Full grown ants hatch soon afterwards depending on temperature. Colonies are 50,000 to 1000,000 strong with many queens, workers and male pharaoh ants that make it so aptly adapted to living in urban environments as well as enabling it to extend to almost every corner of the globe.
Despite being a tropical species they manage very well in colder climates through the advent of central heating.

Control

The Control of Pharaoh ants is hard owing to their nesting in difficult to get to areas. Treatment should be thorough and complete at all nesting sites, as well as there foraging areas. Treatment must include walls, floor voids, ceilings and electrical wall outlets. Baits are the favoured method of control for Pharaoh ants and several baits /insecticides are for indoor ant control. A Pharaoh ant infestation of a multi family building requires treatment of the whole building to control the infestation. Ants nesting on the outside may be controlled by using a perimeter barrier treatment. Baits cannot be placed in just any position and be expected to work. Pharaoh ant trails and their resources must be located for proper placement of baits and effective control.
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Operational Areas and Postcodes

Pest Control East London

E1 Whitechapel, Stepney, Mile End E2 Bethnal Green, Shoreditch,E3 Bow, Bromley-by-Bow, E4 Chingford, Highams Park, E5 Clapton, E6 East Ham, E7 Forest Gate, Upton Park, E8 Hackney, Dalston, E9 Hackney, Homerton, E10 Leyton, E11 Leytonstone, E12 Manor Park, E13 Plaistow, E14 Poplar, Millwall, Isle of Dogs, Docklands, E15 Stratford, West Ham, E16 Canning Town, North Woolwich, Docklands, E17 Walthamstow, E18 South Woodford, IG1 Ilford, IG2 Gants Hill, IG3 SevenKings, IG4 Redbridge, IG5 Clayhall, IG6 Barkingside, IG7 Hainault, IG8 Woodford Green, IG9 Buckhurst Hill, IG10 Loughton, IG11 Barking

Pest Control North London & Pest Control North West London

N1 Islington, Barnsbury, Canonbury, N2 East Finchley, N3 Finchley Central, N4 Finsbury Park, Manor House, N5 Highbury, N6 Highgate, N7 Holloway, N8 Hornsey, Crouch End, N9 Lower Edmonton, N10 Muswell Hill, N11 Friern Barnet, New Southgate, N12 North Finchley, Woodside Park, N13 Palmers Green, N14 Southgate, N15 Seven Sisters, N16 Stoke Newington, Stamford Hill, N17 Tottenham, N18 Upper Edmonton, N19 Archway, Tufnell Park, N20 Whetstone, Totteridge, N21 Winchmore Hill, N22 Wood Green, Alexandra Palace, NW1 Regent’s Park, Camden Town, NW2 Cricklewood, Neasden, NW3 Hampstead, Swiss Cottage, NW4 Hendon, Brent Cross, NW5 Kentish Town, NW6 West Hampstead, Kilburn, NW7 Mill Hill, NW8 St John’s Wood, NW9 Kinsbury, Colindale, NW10 Willesden, Harlesden, Kensal Green, NW11 Golders Green, Hampstead Gdn Suburb.

Pest Control South London, Pest Control South East London & Pest Control South West London

SE1 Waterloo, Bermondsey, Southwark, Borough, SE2 Abbey Wood, SE3 Blackheath, Westcombe Park, SE4 Brockley, Crofton Park, Honor Oak Park, SE5 Camberwell, SE6 Catford, Hither Green, Bellingham,SE7 Charlton,SE8 Deptford,SE9 Eltham, Mottingham
SE10 Greenwich ,SE11 Lambeth,SE12 Lee, Grove Park ,SE13 Lewisham, Hither Green,SE14 New Cross, New Cross Gate,SE15 Peckham, Nunhead,SE16 Rotherhithe, South Bermonsey , Surrey Docks,SE17 Walworth, Elephant & Castle,SE18 Woolwich, Plumstead
SE19 Upper Norwood, Crystal Palace,SE20 Penge, Anerley,SE21 Dulwich,SE22 East Dulwich,SE23 Forest Hill,SE24 Herne Hill,SE25 South Norwood,SE26 Sydenham,SE27 West Norwood, Tulse Hill,SE28 Thamesmead,SW1 Westminster, Belgravia, Pimlico,SW2 Brixton, Streatham Hill,SW3 Chelsea, Brompton,SW4 Clapham,SW5 Earl’s Court,SW6 Fulham, Parson’s Green,SW7 South Kensington,SW8 South Lambeth, Nine Elms,SW9 Stockwell, Brixton,SW10 West Brompton, World’s End,SW11 Battersea, Clapham Junction,SW12 Balham,SW13 Barnes, Castelnau,SW14 Mortlake, East Sheen,SW15 Putney, Roehampton,SW16 Streatham, Norbury,SW17 Tooting, Mitcham,SW18 Wandsworth, Southfields,SW19 Wimbldon, Colliers Wood, Southfields,SW20 West Wimbledon, Raynes Park,

Pest Control Central London, Pest Control City of London

WC1 Bloomsbury, Gray’s Inn,WC2 Covent Garden, Holborn, Strand,EC1 Clerkenwell, Finsbury, Barbican,EC2 Moorgate, Liverpool Street,EC3 Monument, Tower Hill, Aldgate, EC4 Fleet Street, St. Paul’s.  

Pest Control West London

W2 Padington,W3 Acton,W4 Chiswick,W5 Ealing,W6 Hammersmith W7 Hanwell,W8 Kensington,W9 Maida Vale,W10 North Kensington W11 Notting Hill,W12 Shephards Bush,W13 West Ealing,W14 West Kensington

Pest Control Essex

CM0 Southminster, Burnham-on-Crouch, Bradwell, Tillingham, Asheldham, Dengie,CM1 Chelmsford, Writtle,CM2 Chelmsford,CM3 South Woodham Ferrers, Boreham,CM4 Blackmore, Fryerning, Ingatestone, Stock,CM5 Chipping Ongar, Bobbingworth, Moreton, The Lavers, The Rodings,CM6 Great Dunmow, Felsted,CM7 Braintree,CM8 Witham,CM9 Maldon, Tollesbury, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Tolleshunt Knights,CM10 Bexleyheath,CM11 Billericay (East), Great Burstead,CM12 Billericay (West),CM13 Brentwood, East Horndon, Great Warley, Herongate, Hutton, Ingrave, Little Warley, West Horndon,CM14 Brentwood,CM15 Brentwood, Doddinghurst, Kelvedon Hatch, Mountnessing, Stondon Massey,CM16 Epping, Theydon Bois,CM17 Harlow,CM18 Harlow,CM19 Harlow, Roydon, Essex,CM20 Harlow,CM21 Sawbridgeworth,CM22 Bishop's Stortford
CM23 Bishop's Stortford,CM24 Stansted Mountfitchet,RM1 Romford,RM2 Gidea Park,RM2 Gidea Park,RM2 Gidea Park,RM3 Harold Wood,RM4 Havering-atte-Bower,RM5 Collier Row,RM5 Collier Row,RM6 Chadwell Heath,RM7 Rush Green,RM8 Becontree Heath,RM10 Dagenham,RM11 Emerson Park,RM12 Hornchurch ,RM13 Rainham,RM14 Upminster,RM15 South Ockendon, Aveley,RM16 Chafford Hundred, Chadwell St. Mary, North Stifford, Orsett,RM17 Grays, Badgers Dene,RM18 Tilbury, East Tilbury, West Tilbury,RM19 Purfleet,RM20 West Thurrock, South Stifford,IG1 Ilford,IG2 Gants Hill,IG3 Seven Kings,IG4 Redbridge,IG5 Clayhall,IG6 Barkingside,IG7 Hainault,IG8 Woodford Green,IG9 Buckhurst Hill,IG10 Loughton,IG11 Barking

Pest Control Hertfordshire & Pest Control Middlesex

EN1 Enfield,EN2 Enfield Town,EN3 Ponders End,EN4 Cockfosters,EN5 Barnet,EN6 Potters Bar, South Mimms, Cuffley, Northaw,EN7 Cheshunt,EN8 Waltham Cross,EN9 Waltham Abbey,EN10 Broxbourne, EN11 Hoddesdon,HA0 Wembley,HA9 Wembley,HA1 Harrow,HA1 Harrow,HA2 Harrow,HA3 Kenton,Wealdstone,HA4 Ruislip,HA5 Pinner,HA6 Northwood,HA7 Stanmore,HA8 Edgware, AL1 St Albans,AL2 St Albans, Bricket Wood, Colney Street, Frogmore, London Colney, Napsbury, Park Street, Potters Crouch,AL3 St Albans, Childwickbury, Flamstead, Gorhambury, Markyate, Porters Wood, Redbourne, Sandridge,AL4 St Albans, Colney Heath, London Colney, Marshalswick, Oaklands, Sandridge, Smallford, Tyttenhanger, Wheathampstead,AL5 Harpenden,AL6 Welwyn, Ayot St Peter, Ayot St Lawrence, Digswell, Rabley Heath, Tewin,AL7 Welwyn Garden City,AL8 Welwyn Garden City, Lemsford,AL9 Hatfield, Brookmans Park, Essendon, North Mymms, AL10 Hatfield,WD3 Batchworth Heath, Chandlers Cross, Chenies, Chorleywood, Croxley Green, Heronsgate, Loudwater, Maple Cross, Mill End, Rickmansworth, Sarratt, West Hyde,WD4 Bucks Hill, Chipperfield, Hunton Bridge, Kings Langley,WD5 Bedmond, Abbots Langley,WD6 Borehamwood, Elstree, Well End,WD7 Shenley, Radlett,WD17 Watford, Cassiobury, Nascot Wood, WD18 West Watford,WD19 Oxhey, South Oxhey,WD23 Bushey, Bushey Heath,WD24 North Watford,WD25 Garston, Aldenham, Leavesden, Letchmore Heath,UB1 Southall,UB2 Norwood Green,UB3 Hayes,UB4 Yeading,UB5 Northolt,UB6 Greenford,UB7 West Drayton,UB8 Uxbridge,UB9 Harefield,UB10 Hillingdon.

Pest Control Richmond, Pest Control Surrey & Pest Control Kingston upon Thames

SM1 Sutton,SM2 Belmont,SM3 Cheam,SM4 Morden,SM5 Carshalton,SM6 Wallington,TN14 Cudham,TN14 Cudham,TN16 Biggin Hill,TW1 Twickenham,TW2 Whitton,TW3 Hounslow,TW4 Hounslow West,TW5 Heston,TW6 Heathrow,TW7 Isleworth,TW8 Brentford,TW8 Brentford,TW9 Richmond,TW10 Ham,TW11 Teddington,TW12 Hampton,TW13 Feltham,TW14 Hatton,TW15 Ashford,TW16 Sunbury-on-Thames,TW17 Shepperton,TW18 Staines, Egham Hythe,TW19 Stanwell, Wraysbury,TW20 Egham, Englefield Green,KT1 Kingston,KT2 Norbiton,KT2 Norbiton,KT3 New Malden,KT4 Worcester ParkKT5 Berrylands,KT6 Surbiton,KT9 Chessington,CR0 Croydon,CR9 Croydon,CR2 South Croydon,CR4 Mitcham,CR5 Coulsdon,CR7 Thornton Heath,CR8 Purley.

Pest Control Kent

BR1 Bromley,BR2 Bromley, Keston,BR3 Beckenham,BR4 West Wickham,BR5 St Mary Cray,BR6 Orpington,BR7 Chislehurst,DA1 Crayford,DA5 Bexley,DA6 Bexleyheath,DA7 Bexleyheath,DA8 Erith,DA14 Sidcup,DA15 Sidcup,DA16 Welling,DA17 Belvedere.

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