Ant Treatment and Pest Control Service in North Essex
With the largest brain of any insect, ants can remember rigorous routes to foraging grounds, using sight and smell to navigate effortlessly. They’re also the world’s longest living insects, with many queen ants known to have lived up to 30 years. Though there are 12,000 species worldwide (with the majority of these inhabiting tropical rainforests) there are just 50 species in the UK. During the chilly winter months ants sleep in the nest, but as the weather warms up they become active, leaving the nest searching for food. As interesting as these little creatures are, we understand how frustrating it can be when troops of ants start ravaging your home or garden. Our professional team is experienced in treating and preventing major ant infestations, with an excellent understanding on each and every ant species, but these are the most common types in the UK:
Lasius Niger (the common Black Garden Ant)
With the ability to handle harsh environments, Black Garden Ants are one of Europe’s most common species, with workers living for 1-2 years. They will consume other insects as well as nectar, whilst they will not hesitate to feast on fellow ants. They are also very fond of sugary substances like rotting fruit.
Lasius Flavus (Yellow Meadow Ant)
Though recognised as a lover of grassland and downland habitats, they can also be drawn to gardens, especially if the grass is not frequently mowed. During summer months, the winged adults pair and mate, whilst the females leave to form new colonies.
Formica Rufa (Red Wood Ant)
Being very well-organised predators, Red Wood Ants will defend their colony ferociously, making use of their large biting jaws, whilst they can also spray formic acid. They are often found in open sunlit areas where they build large nests out of soil, twigs, leaves and pine needles.
Monomorium pharaonis (Pharoah Ant)
Pharaoh Ants are tropical species but they’re found throughout the UK, and they are actually rather notorious for being an indoor nuisance! To make matters worse they’re tiny and almost transparent, whilst they were brought into Great Britain due to international trade links. If you believe these ants have found their way into your building structure, North Essex Pest Control can deliver a fast, affordable and reliable solution.
Solenopsis invicta (Red Fire Ant or RIFA)
With the ability to inflict painful bites and stings, RIFAs can be identified by their dark reddish-brown colour. Though they live in relatively small colonies with several hundred ants, they can have many egg laying queens in one colony.
Preventing an ant invasion!
Firstly, its important to remember that not all ants are dangerous, however, even the most tame species can spread harmful bacteria in our homes and gardens. So it’s important they are dealt with quickly and efficiently if you do not wish to compromise your family’s health and safety. Being very social creatures, ants can form colonies up to 15,000 workers, including soldiers, drones and queens.
Whether they have found superior conditions in your home, such as food, shelter or favourable temperatures, these little creatures can spread the word quickly around the colony, so you do have to act fast to effectively eliminate the problem. We offer an Ants Control Service in Colchester, covering all corners of North Essex, including Tiptree, Lexden, Mersea, Marks Tey, Rowhedge, Fingringhoe, Peldon, Langinghoe, Fordham and Copford among other surrounding towns and villages. So if you’d like to learn more about our pest control services in Essex, please call our friendly team today on 01206 700 644 or 07487 351 351.
Fun facts about ants
- Known for being incredibly strong and nimble, ants can carry up to fifty times their own weight, making them the strongest creatures across the globe in relation to their size.
- There are over 12,000 ant species worldwide, but don’t worry, you won’t meet many of them as the most common species account for just one percent.
- Ants do not have ears yet they can still “listen” to some extent, feeling the various vibrations from the ground.
- Astonishingly, the largest ant’s nest ever found was over 3,700 miles wide with the supercolony including billions of workers.
