Ants

Although ants seem to be everywhere we look, New Zealand actually has very few species of ants compared with most countries - 11 native species and 29 introduced, mainly from Australia. Ants can be very beneficial in our environment, helping with natural decomposition and aeration of soil, but most people find them annoying and inconvenient when they invade our homes or workplaces. Ants in New Zealand don't generally pose a risk from bites or stings such as Fire Ants overseas, but they can contaminate food, undermine paving, cause electrical malfunctions and generally look unsightly. The most common species of ant found in New Zealand are:

• Argentine ants
• Black House ant
• Whitefooted house ant
• Southern Ant (native to New Zealand)

Ants can be a particular nuisance when they get into your home. Garden or Black ants aren’t thought to carry diseases, the trouble is you don’t know where they’ve been foraging outside, so you won’t want them marching through your food cupboards. Ants will travel in a wide range searching for food, following trails they have established and clustering around the source of food, becoming a nuisance in homes, organisations and businesses. Small piles of earth around holes in soil and at the base of exterior walls indicate their origin.

• Track down where they are coming in and seal off the entry point
• Clear up any sticky residues on worktops, because ants are attracted to sweet things
• Cover up any foodstuffs which could be a food source for ants

Call Rentokil on 0800 552 001 to talk to an expert about ant control or contact us online.

FACT: Some birds spread their wings on an ant’s nest to get ants in their feathers. It is thought that this is because the ants squirt formic acid that gets rid of bird parasites.

If you have a larger problem that your usual DIY product cannot resolve, you can rely on our expert pest controllers to clear it up.

Our Pest Control Technicians offer methods of ant control that are targeted to specific species. They can solve the problem quickly and, needless to say, they’re perfectly safe for your family and pets.