| Latin Name | Formicidae |
| Length | Less than 5.4mm |
| Colour | Red, black |
| Common Sighting | Wall edges, crevices |
| Latin Name | Formicidae |
| Length | Less than 5.4mm |
| Colour | Red, black |
| Common Sighting | Wall edges, crevices |
Table of Contents
Quick Facts on Ants
As one of the most common pests in the household, ant control services are often called when signs of an ant infestation are present – and for a good reason. Ants strive in large colonies wherein each ant has its own specific role to fulfil, making ant pest control services in Singapore all the more imperative to get rid of these ants in large quantities. Worker ants work hard to protect the eggs, build and expand their nest and hunt, whilst the queen ant produces eggs to multiply the population. Contrary to popular belief, one colony is not limited to one queen – there can be more than one queen ant at any one time, and these queens can leave to produce more colonies.
Similar to other insects, they use their chemical sensing system, otherwise known as chemosense, to detect certain chemicals present in the air (even at low concentrations). If these chemicals hint at sugar and other foods, the nearby ants will head towards it whilst releasing a pheromone to alert the other ants in the colony to give their assistance. As such, if you have unsealed foods left out in the open or food crumbs lying on the ground, expect to see a handful of ants trying to move it in the next few hours.
Signs of Ants Infestation
It’s never fun to discover your house infested by these tiny creatures. After all, once their numbers get big enough, it’s hard to control and curb the situation, especially when you’re doing it alone.
There are a few signs you might pick up when your house has been invaded by ants, namely:
- A large number of live ants: You might have an ant infestation on your hands if you notice a lot of live ants. Should you discover them in areas where food is prepared, such as the kitchen, we recommend engaging the help of ant control services.
- Ant pathways: Another obvious indicator of a potential ant problem is ant trails entering and leaving your property or residence. Some ant species have been seen to leave a pheromone trail that directs fellow ants from the colony to a food source.
- Nest sites: A nest site may resemble a little mound of dirt or soil found around such sites. You may also find a long trail of worker ants moving around the edges of walls or other parts of the home, in addition to entering tiny cracks in walls. These areas are usually harder to spot.
How to Get Rid of Ants?
When you’ve come across an ant infestation, the first thing you’ll want to do is to remove any foods that may be lying around, unsealed. You can also do the following:
- Ants Gel Baits
The gel in gel baits is specially formulated with an insecticide and food items like sugar to eliminate ants and their nests. Typically, the sweet flavour of the bait attracts foraging worker ants. Intended for usage inside and around your house, the gel baits are first applied along the trail you have identified. Afterwards, the worker ants will locate the bait and carry it back to their nest, where they will, in turn, feed to the queen. The bait will effectively eliminate her and thus put an end to future populations. - Insecticide Residual Spray
Insecticide residual spray is a water-based spray that is intended for indoor and outdoor use. The optimum place to apply this spray to provide long-lasting insecticidal protection is in cracks and crevices where insect activity has been observed. In addition, it can be used as a general spray to quickly knock down and destroy crawling insects like ants.
That said, this is simply not enough when dealing with an infestation. Apart from their large numbers, the problem will continue to persist if the root cause is not addressed. As such, you will want to employ the help of experts and their pest control services to effectively rid these pests from your home once and for all.
As one of Singapore’s leading pest exterminator, our experts are equipped with the technical knowledge and know-how to deal with such situations. You can finally bid such pesky pests goodbye with our quality services!
How to Prevent Ants in the Home?
Ants search for food sources mostly throughout their foraging periods. The most likely reason for an unexpected ant infestation is that there is food for them someplace in your home. The majority of ants are opportunistic eaters; they will consume nearly anything. However, they typically favour sweets.
You can take proactive steps to prevent ant infestations if you are concerned that you may be in danger from one. It is imperative to keep in mind the following to reduce the possibility of an ant infestation in your home:
- When possible, keep your food in airtight containers.
- Clean up any food crumbs from beneath your kitchen units and appliances.
- Ensure that there are no entrance points by caulking all cracks and gaps around your window frames and doors.
- For pet owners, throw away any leftover food immediately. Spillages, whether food or liquid, should be cleaned up right away.
Common Ants in Singapore
1. Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants nest in wood structures and trees, which is often the reason why they are mistaken for termites. These ants, which may grow up to 17 mm in length, typically feed on honeydew and dead insects. While they do not consume the wood, carpenter ants will attack and bite wooden sculptures and landscapes in order to hollow out the wood. As carpenter ants are drawn to high moisture areas, you can expect to see them near a leaking pipe.
2. Crazy Ants
The irregular crawling pattern that these long-legged ants exhibit when startled gives them their name: Crazy ants. Although they prefer sugar-based food, crazy ants eat a wide variety of food, whether it be fruits or insects. They can nest indoors or outdoors in both dry and moist environments. Typically discovered in ponds, gardens, and walkway pavements, these ants can also nest underneath flower pots. Since they are so widespread in Singapore, it can be difficult to keep them out if they find any sources of food in your abode.
3. Ghost Ants
Also known as sugar ants, ghost ants are dark in the head and translucent in the back. These ants are an enormous sweet tooth – they are attracted to sweet beverages, cookie crumbs, sweets, and the like. If spills are not cleaned up, it allows them to quickly create an ant trail within your house. Last but not least, keep an eye out for them underneath kitchen cabinets and sinks.
4. Pharaoh’s Ants
Pharaoh’s ants are yellowish-brown ants that feed on oil-based food as well as protein, like dead insects, fats, and meat. They forage vigorously, primarily after dark. Although these ants bite, they rarely sting. Nearly anywhere indoors, including beneath a stack of newspapers, is where you can find their nests. If you have food containers that are not firmly sealed, these ants have a lot of opportunities to get inside.
PestClinic – Professional and Trusted Ant Control Services in Singapore
While you may have a clean home, an ant infestation may persist. Given that ants are often in large numbers and can expand their colony rather quickly, what can you do if the signs of an ant infestation are present in your home? It is important to move swiftly at the first indication of a potential infestation to contain the ants and prevent further infestation.
At PestClinic, our team of experts possess the skills and experience to successfully remove these ants from your abode.
