ANT CONTROL
COMMON BLACK ANT
The most common ant found in the UK. It has the tendency to enter houses in search of a variety of food – other insects and sugary substances – to take back to the colony. Colonies start in mid-late summer initiated by the Queen, during the winter they hibernate in places such as garages and sheds.
Control: Black ants can be controlled by insecticide and bait formations or organic products.
PHARAOH ANT
Found in highly heated buildings across the country, such as hospitals, food service areas and in lawns during hot weather. The Pharaoh Ant is yellow – light brown in colour, it can be seen as almost transparent. They eat all sorts, especially sweet foods. They vary in length, workers being approximately 1.5-2mm long and queens being around 4mm and slightly darker in colour than the workers. Colonies are usually large but can vary from a few dozen to several hundred thousand.
Pharaoh ants can transmit over a dozen pathogens, such as Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp.
Control: Pharaoh ant control is difficult but can be controlled by formations and organic products.
WASPS
There are seven species of wasp in the UK. The most common are the ‘common wasp’ and the ‘German wasp’. Both species nest underground and in cavities in trees, walls and buildings. They also have the tendency to nest in loft spaces. If left alone, wasps are not normally aggressive – however temperature and overcrowding can be triggers for aggressive behaviour.
Unlike the bee sting, the wasp sting has no barbs and can be used over and over. At the base of the sting is a sac containing venom. When squeezed by the wasp it delivers the venom under the skin. The pain felt with a wasp sting is caused by a complex protein when the skin is penetrated through injection. Reactions to the wasp sting can vary from being hardly affected to serious allergic reactions which could result in death from anaphylactic shock.
Control: These wasps can be controlled with dust formation and organic products. They can also be removed at night if the area is accessible.