Our Firm Specializes in ant control for all ant species in the Sydney Region, NSW. We make use of only Non-Toxic and Low Toxicity procedures to kill ants and control any spiders cockroaches and other pests. As Well as specializing in Thermal Termite Inspections – which are proven to yield the most reliable termite reports.
A1 Pest Control Services the Sydney Metropolitan area. Our services range from distinguishing flying ant & carpenter ant species from termites as well as conducting termite inspections and termite treatments. We are also licensed to control all other forms of pests such as fleas, rodents, cockroaches, bed bugs and to conduct Pre-Purchase Inspections.
Phone: 0417 251 911
Email: [email protected]
Ant Control Tips For Homeowners
Are ants starting to become a nuisance in your home? Ants are the most common pest found in and around residential homes and properties, they also happen to be the most persistent once they settle in. Ants are a very invasive pest and they are known to cause structural damage due to constructing underground colonies (which shift pavers etc.) or due to digging into timbers when nesting. They are also infamous for contaminating food, whether it be in the kitchen or in the pantry.<
There are many different species of ants, some of which are able to sting repeatedly when aggravated (Such as the Red Fire Ant) and have been found to be the cause of allergic reactions in sensitive victims. This has on occasion resulted in anaphylactic shock.
General Ant Information
Ants are known to be a very social species of insect and live predominantly in nests. These will vary in size (determined by the age of the colony as well as their species). Nests are predominantly found under ground, inside timber or wood and underneath rocks however, they have been found in areas such as hearths or fireplaces, beneath garden paths and inside buildings. Their most active period of the year is October through March.
The Ant family has over 1200 species within Australia alone and are known as a very successful insect, often ants are identified as superorganisms due to their operations as a unified entity. Their species has also been identified as beneficial to the environment in some cases as they eat certain pests such as termites, their nests also improve the soil quality due to how quickly they recycle nutrients back into the soil. The Ant species also serves as a food source for a large portion of Australia’s native bird, reptile and small animal populations.
Ants are important for the environment but can also be classified as pests to some people. To see the ants and their nesting places might be a sight that wants to be avoided, ants may also cause damage to seeds or seedlings. They can even cause damage to some plants.
Even though ants are identified as environmentally beneficial they can also be identified as pests to people. Considered unsightly, ants and their nests are often removed from properties. Some ant species also destroy or damage seeds and seedlings which is very detrimental to some agricultural environments, as well as their tendency to damage house/nursery plants due to the cultivation of sap sucking insects like Aphids. The ants protect the sap sucking insects (e.g. Aphids) in exchange for the honeydew which these insects produce.
Species such as the Bull Ant and Fire Ant are known to bite or sting which can lead to anaphylactic shock in some cases.
Red Fire Ants
The Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) has recently been detected as a growing threat within Australia. The RIFA is known for causing serious damage to the environment and has the potential of becoming a huge threat to Australia’s Agricultural production network. The Red Ant is predominantly found in the South Eastern regions of Queensland as well as Gladstone within Central Queensland.
They are known for being an extremely aggressive species of ant and will drive out any other ant species within their foraging zone. As well as being omnivorous mound building ants they also tend to nest adjacent to devices or structures which emit an electric fields. Treatment for this ant species is to be carried out very strategically as inappropriate treatment will only cause the nests to “bud off” and invade neighbouring areas.
The Australian Government is taking action and has made available $1.4 million among the states and territories to fund surveillance proposals. This national program is being overseen by the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) in the Sydney region
As of November of 2011, no studies or investigations have found any Red Imported Fire Ant presences anywhere near the Sydney Metropolitan area. The RIFA has been identified as a pest according to the Plant Diseases Act of 1924 and thus anyone who becomes exposed to a RIFA presence or identifies the presence of Red Imported Fire Ants is required, under the terms of the Act, to alert the NSW Chief Plant Protection Officer of the RIFA presence within a day of identifying it.
Currently, Biosecruity NSW is unaware of any Red Imported Ant infestations or nests outside of the Biosecurity Queensland Restricted area in the South Eastern region of QLD. Any alerts or detection of a Red Imported Fire Ant in NSW will result in a containment and eradication protocol being enforced immediately in an effort to stem any spreading of this pest.
For further clarification contact Dr Satendra Kumar (details below)
Contact:
Dr Satendra Kumar| Director Plant Biosecurity | Chief Plant Protection Officer NSW | Biosecurity
Department of Primary Industries| 161 Kite Street | Locked bag 21 | Orange NSW 2800
T: 02 6391 3553 | F:02 6361 9976 | M:0419 437 676 | E: [email protected]
W: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au| www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity
The Australian national programme which is now in it’s eighth year is being regulated by the Federal Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries.
Fire Ants can be mistaken for ordinary garden ants, which makes identifying them properly very important.
Description:
Small, Reddish-brown colour, with a abdomen darker the the rest of the body, and they come in a various sizes, ranging from 2mm to 6 mm. They are often
distinguished by their two-segmented club on their antennae. Their mandibles also have
4-5 teeth and their legs, mesosoma and gaster are covered with numerous erect hairs.
The nest will look like a pile of mud about a foot and a half high. They are most likely to be seen in common open areas like the lawn and along the road.
Fire ants will cause a nasty sting, which can causes a small blister to form at the site of each sting after several hours.
If you have tried to kill ants without success, do not disturb or touch them. Email us at [email protected]