Ant Control

 

There are over 3000 species of ants in Australia. They are a social insect that have a developed caste system where individuals are responsible for specialised duties.

Ant colonies can be found almost anywhere including-kitchens, roof voids, lawns, gardens,timber,rockeries etc.

Ants are fussy feeders but can feed on almost anything consumed by humans. Different ants like different foods – preferring fats & oils, proteins or sugars.

When ants find food, they leave an invisible chemical trail, called 'pheromone', so that other ants can find their way from the nest to the food source. These 'trails' of ants are very persistent even in extended periods of wet weather. Simply killing the ants you see still leaves this scent trail for the others in the nest to follow.

Ants can damage furnishings, curtains and carpets. They are not only an unpleasant sight but can also damage food used for human consumption. 

Outdoors they can cause problems by undermining concrete/paved area. Some species have a nasty bite that may need medical attention and/or cause allergic reactions.

What you can do:

• Stored foods that are attractive to ants should be kept in tightly sealed containers

• Floor, cupboard and pantry areas should be kept free of crumbs

• Transfer wastes from the preparation and cleanup of food to a garbage bin

• Store garbage bins in dry places (not under sinks), empty them often and keep them clean

• Correct moisture problems

• Correct ventilation problems 

• Seal possible entry spots, such as small gaps around doors and windows, along skirting boards, cracks in walls, and gaps around plumbing fixtures

• Inspect plants or equipment for ants before bringing indoors

How we can help.

Ants are one of if not the most difficult pest to control.

Treating the nest directly is the best way to stop the problem.

But how do you find all the nests?

And what about the nests in your neighbours yard?

Customers try all sorts of 'over the counter' treatments-dusts, powders or even petrol!

Nothing seems to work.

Professional Pest Controllers have been faced with the same predicament for years.

Nothing has been effective at treating ants at the source i.e. their nest.

Most treatments are repellant by nature and form a barrier around the treated structure.

Trouble with this approach is that it really only provides temporary relief. Soon enough the ants are back!

So whats the solution?

In a word-Termidor.

Termidor has been offering effective termite control in Australia since it was first introduced in 2002.

The two main reasons for this are:

1. Termidor is non-repellent. This means that termites don’t realize Termidor is present.

2.’The Transfer Effect’. Termites that come into contact with Termidor collect it on their bodies and then become carriers that spread Termidor to others within the nest.

These key characteristics  make Termidor an ideal choice for treating ants.

Like termites ants are social insects. They live in large colonies and groom and feed each other-effectively passing the active ingredient-fipronil amongst their nestmates.

Additionally ants remove the dead ants from the nest.This process effectively transfers the active ingredient from the dead to the living.

Eventually as more and more individuals become infected and die the nest is destroyed.

Game over!

Outside Use Only
 
Termidor can only be used externally to treat a variety of ants including:

• Funnel ants
  
• Greenhead ants
  
• Meat ants
  
• Red Imported fire ants
  
• Yellow Crazy ants
  
• Argentine ants
  
• Black house ants
  
• Pharaoh’s ants
  
• Whitefooted ants
  

Termidor will give up to 3 months control of ants and is best applied as ant activity increases in early spring. A follow up application during summer may be required.

Internal Ant Control
 
So if Termidor can only be used externally what about inside the home?

Phantom Insecticide

Phantom is a liquid formulation for the internal control of ants and contains the active ingredient chlorfenapyr.

Just like Termidor Phantom is undetectable to ants.

This means they will not avoid the treatment and will travel through the treated areas, unknowingly picking up the active ingredient.

Phantom is a water-based formulation and has virtually no odour making it ideal for sensitive situations.

Phantom has a unique mode of action. The active ingredient is converted to its active form inside the insect. This active form targets the mitochondria within cells throughout the insect’s body, preventing it from generating energy. Without this energy, cells cease functioning and the insect dies.

This process is not instantaneous giving Phantom a delayed-action mortality which is an important feature, as it ensures pests gain maximum exposure to the treated surfaces thus improving efficacy.

They continue to behave normally and go about their regular routines for a short time before dying.

Phantom has a long residual life on all internal surfaces. One of the reasons for this is the fact that it has very low water solubility which means it will not be easily wiped or washed off surfaces. 

Price Guide

A Termidor external perimeter treatment to your house and a Phantom internal treatment will cost around $220 for a lowset 3/4 bedroom home.

For more information fill in the online enquiry form or call Ross on 0416 096 725 (email preferred as many times we are stuck in ceiling voids or in subfloors....:-) Emails usually answered within 60 minutes.