Have you had your home checked for termites? See here for more details
Ants are one of the most frequent and persistent insect pests encountered in and around homes and buildings in Australia. In our day to day operations on the Gold Coast we are often asked,
“What’s the difference between an ant and a termite?”
There are a few key characteristics which, once examined, will help you determine the difference however, Ants are mostly robust insects that hunt and forage for food on the surface of the earth while termites (subterranean termites, the most common type of termite found on the Gold Coast) mostly live and travel within the earth, building intricate mud tunnels and tubing when they leave the safety of the ground, for this reason you mainly see the evidence of termites (mudding) before you see the insects themselves. But, to take your identification skills to the next level see the images below.
As there are many different types of ants and many different types of termites on the Gold Coast, characteristics will differ from species to species however, lets look at a few of the main differences.
- Ants have bent antennae and termites are straight.
- Ants have segmented body parts, more of a ‘thin waist’ look, while termites are almost straight sided with large waist areas.
- The wings of swarming (Alates) termites are almost twice the length of their body and both sets of wings are the same size, while ants have much shorter wings and the front wings are longer than the back wings.
Using these key defining characteristics it may now be easy for you to tell the difference next time you’re pottering around in the garden however, if you are ever in doubt it’s best to call a professional pest manager for correct identification or, you can always email us a photo of what you’ve found and will do our best to identify it for you. Click here “Termites” for more information on termites and what to do about them.
*Having large numbers of ants in and around your home does not reduce the risk of termite infestation; it is recommended that regular termite inspections are carried out by a qualified and licensed inspector.
An in-depth look at ants.
Ants are social insects, which live together in cooperative, intermingling colonies (nests). They can be found nesting in many different locations including, in gardens, trees, under rocks and paths, behind retaining walls and in tree stumps, as well as inside buildings in wall cavities around hot water pipes and heating, under floors and in roof voids. Their colonies may range in size from hundreds to millions of individuals, depending on the species. Within each colony are different types of individuals, each with a specific function. All ant colonies contain one or more queen whose primary role is to lay eggs. The eggs hatch into white grub like larvae that later transform into adult “worker” ants. The workers feed and care for the queen and the developing young, and are the ones seen foraging for food and water in and around homes and buildings, often at great distances from the colony.
How ants work?
Ants lay down invisible odor trails (pheromone secretions) when foraging for food, once a substantial food source has been located, worker ants will trace the pheromone trail back to the colony to alert more workers to the food. Ants will enter homes and buildings in search of food, water and sometimes shelter.
What ants eat?
In their feeding habits ants tend to be predators or scavengers, depending on the species. Some predatory species are very specific (e.g. preying only on termites*) while others are general predators of insects and other small animals. Some species of ants feed on the honeydew of certain plants while several species of ants are omnivorous scavengers, consuming a very wide range of animal or plant products. It is these scavengers that have most successfully exploited people’s dwellings.
Why ants are pests?
Ants are usually regarded as ‘nuisance’ pests in and around homes and buildings; however there are many reasons for their pest status:
- Diseases Transmission: Ants have been know to carry on their bodies or in their digestive tract, disease organisms causing dysentery, smallpox and a variety of pathogenic bacteria, including Salmonella.
- Bites & Stings: Some species of ants are very aggressive and can inflict a very painful bite or sting.
- Unsightly Excavations: Small mounds of dirt and nesting material, resulting from their excavations, may be considered unsightly along garden paths, on balconies, around doors, windows and skirting and architrave boards.
- Plant Damage: Where plants are grown, ants may attack and damage or consume seeds and seedlings.
What to do about ants?
These reasons alone justify the need for ant management in premises. The following good hygiene and housekeeping practices are likely to make your home/premises less suited to supporting an ant infestation and prolong the life of your treatment.
- Cracks and crevices around windows and doors, gaps and cracks around tiles, sinks and bench tops in kitchens and bathrooms and gaps around skirting and architraves should all be sealed and filled to limit the possibility of ant entry.
- Store attractive food items such as sugars, syrup, honey and other sweets in sealed containers that have been washed to remove residues from outer surfaces.
- Clean up after food preparation and handling should be immediate and thorough. Dishes and utensils should not be left unwashed overnight and all benches and sinks should be regularly washed down with disinfectant. Pets feeding bowls should not be left unwashed for long periods.
- Water availability should be reduced where possible. Unnecessary containers with water and accumulations of water from cleaning activities should be eliminated.
- Trim back shrubs and brushes that may be touching the building and make sure, on brick veneer homes, that the external brick weep-holes are clear and free from obstructions.
It is unrealistic and impractical to attempt to totally eliminate ants from an outdoor area. Where poor sanitation and hygiene practices exist, chemical treatments will be limited in their effectiveness.