Ant Control
Fast & Effective Pest Control
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About Ants
As a heat-tolerant species, ants have adapted to urban living and are now one of the most common pests encountered around homes and businesses. Ants can be beneficial to your garden as they aerate the soil, redistribute nutrients, and eliminate other insect pests. Despite these advantages, ants can also pose detrimental risks. They can contaminate living areas and cause structural damage to properties, making them a homeowner’s friend and foe.
Ants are social insects who live in complex social societies consisting of three castes – workers, drones, and queens. Each caste is governed by the division of labour as responsibilities are divided within the colony. The queen is solely responsible for egg-laying and is dependent on the worker ants, who ensure the survival of the entire colony. Workers are responsible for foraging, nest construction and maintenance and tending to the eggs, larvae and pupae. Drones, on the other hand, are reproductive male winged ants who are responsible for fertilising queens.
Workers build and maintain nests near water and food sources. Nests are commonly found in soil, wood, under rocks and in buildings. They work to protect ants from enemies and poor weather. The size of a nest will vary according to the species its inhabitants belong to.
Nests are difficult to control due to the advanced social structure of ant colonies. Ants release pheromone trails from their nests to promising food sources, triggering hunter mode. Ant nests pose a problem for homeowners when poor weather conditions such as rain, snow and humidity disturb their nests and they seek shelter indoors.
VermEx is a family run pest control company with over 30 years of experience in providing a professional pest control service to commercial clients across the North of England, including Manchester, York and Leeds. At VermEx, we have extensive experience in eradicating ant infestations. We can successfully prevent infestations from manifesting around your property by utilising extremely powerful insecticides available only at industry level.
Contact VermEx today to discuss your pest problem and request a free ant control quotation.
Ants flourish in warm temperatures. While there are more than 12,000 types of ants around the world, there are currently only 50 species in the UK. As a consequence of their gravitation towards foods high in protein and sugar, few ant species are considered problematic. This includes the black garden ant, red ants, pharaoh ants, carpenter ants and flying ants.
The level of aggression displayed by ants is dependent on their species. That’s why identifying which species is invading your home and garden is important. If you are having difficulty doing so, then please do not hesitate to get in touch and we will be more than happy to assist you further.
Black Garden Ants
The black garden ant, also known as lasius niger, can survive and thrive in moist environments and is thus the most common species known to invade homes. Their queens are 15mm in length whilst workers are around 3-5mm.
Black garden ant colonies can contain as many as 15,000 ants who are commonly found nesting under pavements and in soil. These invasive garden ants are highly attracted to foods high in sugar which they take back to the nest to feed to the queen and larvae. Other popular foods include insects, nectar, and ants from alternative colonies.
Red Ants UK
Red ants (myrmica rubra) are commonly referred to as fire ants due to their reddish-brown colour. Red ant colonies are commonly found hiding beneath stones, logs and soil. Red ants, if provoked, can be very aggressive. Upon sensing a threat, they will not hesitate to administer repetitive attacks and inject a toxic alkaloid venom called solenopsin.
Towards the end of summer, flying ants belonging to this species embark on mating flights, aspiring to form new colonies.
Pharaoh Ants
The pharaoh ant (monomorium pharaonic) is a tropical ant species that commonly builds its nests indoors. Pharaoh ant nests can be found in inaccessible areas of heated buildings. Sightings have been reported around bakeries, hospitals and environments around heat-emitting machinery. With a breeding of 30 degrees, the colony size of a pharaoh ant society can increase rapidly as they can support several queens.
This species of ant craves fatty, greasy and sugary foods in addition to other dead insects. It can also gain entry into sealed packages, rendering it a particularly problematic pest for home and business owners.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are attracted to outdoor structures such as trees, damp wood and garden furniture, causing concern for homeowners. They possess incredible strength and can cut through the wood using their mandibles.
Carpenter ants are particularly difficult to exterminate and should be treated as soon as possible. Avoid the physical and financial damage carpenter ants can cause to your home by giving our professional team a call to see how we can help you.
Preventing ants from migrating indoors can be achieved by eliminating colony workers and queens. Keeping your home clean is the most effective method of pest control. Be sure to dispose of any human and/pet food wastage and store any consumables into highly sealable containers. Vacuum and mop floors regularly to remove any pheromone scent trails.
Identify and seal any access points, including any cracks and exposed crevices surrounding doors and windows. For additional protection, diffuse ant spray around these areas. Please note, however, that this is only a temporary solution as ants are known to recover and recolonise.
The most efficient way to terminate ants and their antics are to call in a professional. Our certified technicians are skilled in distinguishing ant species and selecting the right tools to eliminate them.
At VermEX, our ant control process involved identifying the infestation’s location. Using our extensive knowledge and expertise, we will then select the best course of action. After some time, we will go on to assess and re-treat if necessary.
For ant control that is tailored to your situation, give us a call now.
Ant Control FAQ
The black garden ant does not bite. Red ants and flying are, however, capable of biting, stinging and injecting formic acid. Most bites are harmless and will often leave the affected area feeling itchy and swollen. If swelling persists, apply a cold compress or creams containing hydrocortisone.
Allergic reactions may cause sweating, headaches, nausea, chest pain and shortness of breath.
Please note that our information surrounding ants bites is only provisional. As a commercial service, we cannot offer expert medical advice. If you experience any of these symptoms, we highly recommend you seek medical help immediately.
Ants have two stomachs. The first is for personal consumption and the second is for feeding other members of their colony.
Worker ants collect nectar, seeds, greenflies, caterpillars and dead insects. They then take them back to their nest to feed the other members of their colony.
Flying ant days take place over particularly hot and humid days over July and August. It refers to a period where drones and new queens embark on mating flights, aspiring to birth new colonies.
Fast & Effective Pest Control
If you are worried that you may have an ant infestation around your home or business, then please do not hesitate to contact us for professional ant removal services. Our British Pest Control Association (BPCA) certified Technicians provide safe, effective solutions to manage and eliminate ants. By using a combination of insect proofing measures and insecticides, we can provide an effective ant control service that will leave you pest free.
We offer a free site survey for all commercial clients to identify nesting sites, entry points or other problem areas. In addition, we offer a free quote for any work that we would recommend.
Get in touch with VermEx on 01904 798676, by emailing info@vermex.co.uk or by using our contact form for all of your pest control requirements and call in the professionals for fast and effective insect control.