Ants belong to the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera. This order also includes bees and wasps. Ants are of ecological importance for their roles as predators and scavengers, in seed and pollen dispersal, and in soil structure.
In Australia there are over 4000 known species of ants. Only a handful of these (mostly introduced species) are considered pests. Pest ants often nest in and around buildings, congregate in food preparation are as and have the potential to spread disease.
Ants feed on a wide variety of foodstuffs and can be predators or scavengers. They are social insects that usually live in permanent nests. In adverse conditions a change of nest site is not uncommon.
Colony sizes vary; nests can range from a few dozen, to millions of individuals. Larger colonies consist mostly of sterile wingless females which form castes of ‘workers’. Workers may be specialised, for example into minor and major (or soldier) castes. These perform specific tasks, such as feeding and caring for the immature forms, and appear physically different. Nearly all ant colonies have fertile males called ‘drones’ and one or more fertile female called ‘queens’.
Contrary to common belief ants are not related to termites, and cannot damage sound timber.
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Do Ants Bite?
Ants, no matter the species, should never be allowed to live in our yards or homes. Any species of ant can find their way into our homes to forage for food, contaminating surfaces with bacteria. The only ants you need to worry about in Victoria when it comes to ants are fire ants. Fortunately, fire ants usually prefer living outside around yards and landscapes and aren't the most common ants to get inside of area homes.
That said, as you likely know, fire ant bites hurt. Fire ants actually have venom that is strong enough to elicit an allergic reaction that varies from mild to severe, depending on the person.
How Do I Get Rid Of Ants?
At Probest Pest Control we understand the annoyance that ghost ants and other species of ants cause within your home. If you believe that you have an ant infestation, please don't hesitate to contact us today to get started with our fire ant control or general pest control services.
Ants are known to be very persistent, creating multiple colonies within your home, and being difficult to eliminate. We look forward to providing our local pet-safe ant control at your home. If you find ghost ants or any other ants or pests in your home, be sure to contact the professionals today at Probest Pest Control to schedule your free pest control inspection!
As residents of Melbourne, odds are you've seen a fair number of ants around your home. While people usually think ants are after sugary foods, they are actually mainly entering our homes in search of water. The most common areas ants first appear in are in kitchens and bathrooms. Even a spotless home can easily have sugar ants due to the presence of moisture.
Before calling us, many people try over-the-counter products such as Advion or Home Defense spray. While baits like Advion are fine to try, we highly discourage using any type of spray-on ants. Most sprays give the illusion they are working since the ants will die on contact, but these products have no residual so that the ants will be back the next day.
