Ants

With over 8000 species, Australian ants are a large and diverse group of insects and in most cases they are a nuisance to us.

Ants cause problems primarily when they forage in buildings for food or water and when they build nests in buildings and gardens.

When searching for food, they can be attracted to a wide range of products with different species preferring sweets, meats, fats or oils.

Ant nesting activity outdoors can result in excavated soil being deposited in gardens and on brickwork. In most cases this causes little property damage but some species can form large numbers of chambers close to the surface. These chambers can cause soil to become soft and uneven, causing damage and serious problems.

Several species of ants pose serious health threats to people who are sensitive to their stings. In extreme cases hospitalisation may be required.