Posts Tagged ‘the best way to get rid of ants outdoors’
March 26th, 2009 | 
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How To Get Rid Of Ants In The Home Safely
How To Get Rid Of Ants In The Home Safely (Ken Chadwick)
How To Get Rid Of Ants In The Home Safely – Black or Garden Ants (Lasius niger)
Ants in your home can be a horrible experience but they can be cured permanently with professional help
Black ants are commonly found throughout the UK, and although they nest outdoors, they are often found inside houses, causing a nuisance more than anything.
They are social creatures, and live in colonies containing workers (infertile females), males, queens and grubs (larvae). Ants mate on the wing, so the “flying ants” are either males or immature queens.
Where do they come from?
You will find ants nests in dry earth around plant roots, with sandy soil in particular attracting colonies.
The sand used in house foundations, garden paths and patios forms a good site for the queen ant to start a colony. Nests are increasingly being found inside the walls of properties (cavity walls, for example). Once a colony develops it can be difficult to get rid of.
Why do ants come indoors?
The ants found indoors are usually worker ants, which are foraging for food for the queen and the grubs. They have found that buildings inhabited by humans are a good source of provision, particularly sweet or sugary items, and a good dry harbourage.
Do black ants just live on human food?
No, the worker ants are scavengers and collect seeds, nectar, and even dead insects as well to take back to the nest. They also prey on greenfly, blackfly and other small insects, so cannot be considered to be all bad.
Do black ants do any harm?
