The Ant

Pharaohs Ant Monomorium Pharaonis

Key features

The worker ant, the smallest of the species grow to around 2mm in length. The worker ants are the backbone of the colony and most commonly visible. The queen is the larger of the species being between 3mm and 4mm in length while the males are generally smaller growing to a full adult size of 3mm.

The worker ants are easily recognizable due to their yellow colour and darker abdomen. The main characteristic that sets the Pharaoh ant apart from the rest is the double waist or otherwise known as the pedicel. It is the section of the ant that joins the abdomen, of which it is a part to the main body.

Biology

Pharaoh ants have numerous nests, which each colony occupies. The colonies may also contain many queen ants. During each laying spell a queen can produce between 300 and 400 eggs with egg taking around a week to hatch. Each queen tenders her first batch of larva while the many worker ants care for later generations. Through their various network of tunnels it is the worker ants that lead to the cause of infestation. Developing broods are moved by the worker ant to create a new nest elsewhere. The worker ants feed and tender the brood and are also capable of producing worker ants, males and even queens when the need is required. Full-grown adult pharaoh ants are fully winged; these wings aid in the mobility of the colony but are rarely used.

Distribution

Pharaoh ants originate from tropical climates, but will survive in warm areas such as centrally heated locations. Exotic ants such as these are known as a tramp species. Changing climates in the uk have seen these ants becoming more common. The Pharaoh ants are found mostly in domestic properties, subsequently these ants are finding their way into hospitals, prisons, zoos and food manufacturing premises.

Significance

With Pharaohs ants having a large number of tunnels and nesting locations, the likely hood of more than one area of the building been infested is great. The ideal place for access would be where both the temperature and humidity are high. The Pharaohs ants will always be in the vicinity of human food products such as sugar based substances, eg jam or fruit. Because of this, food preparation areas are a common target for the Pharaohs ant. Recent studies show that this may be the reason for the spread of disease causing agents.

Control

The common mistake when treating for the Pharaohs ant is using common insecticides. These insecticides will cause the ants to move around through the network of the tunnels, spreading the infestation deeper into the property. Baits for the control of the Pharaohs ants are available in gel or granular form. The baits should be distributed where the ants are actively foraging. A further survey of surrounding properties may be advisable as the infestation could easily spread.

Common Black ant, Garden ant - Lasius Niger

Key features

As with all social insects, there are a number of different castes, which comprises a mass community within the ant’s nests. The caste that is most visible is the worker ants. As with other species of ant the males and queens are produced at certain times of the year when needed. The males and queens are produced with wings and are rarely seen apart from when moisture and humidity come together to produce thunder days.

The workers of the colony are about 2-5mm in length with a black or dark brown body, with the leg joints been of a yellowish shade. In contrast the males and queens are of a much larger size. Males can grow from 3.5mm up to 4.7mm and the queens can range between 6.6mm and 10mm. The male and queen ants are black in colour but produce wings that are lost during the mating season by the female; the male ants die shortly after mating.

Biology

The ant colonies are centered upon a complex nest, which arises when the queen has mated and established herself in a smaller nest just beneath the soil. The queen tenders to her first brood of larvae, lack of food means the larvae need to feed on the saliva of the queen. These first broods of larvae pupate to form worker ants. The colony then grows rapidly with the queen continuing to lay eggs, which are tendered to by the many worker ants. The ants feed on nectar, honeydew, small insects, aphid etc. The colony and nest can stay viable for a number of years.

The periods during late summer, particularly August when the climate is changing males and females exploit the warm air currents to mate in mid air. Very few of the females that successfully mate will survive to set up their own colonies.

Distribution

These ants originate from South America and both southern and northern regions of Africa. Recent years have seen them invade across Europe.

Significance

This is the only species of ant, which is commonly found in houses with the Black Ant also the most common in Britain. Soil is the preferred material to build a nest but nests can also be found under paving stones and concrete. When ants nest indoors the infestation can pose a problem at any time of the year. Where all year round problems occur the nests are usually found in insulation below the property.

The garden ant can pose as a real problem pest. During the hunt for food both domestic and industrial premises can be invaded by swarms of ants. In late summer the mating swarms can cause a short-term problem.

Control

Accessibility to the nest may be restricted and yet is the key feature that allows you to bring the infestation under control. Worker ants create a trail, following this trail should lead you back to the nest. Once the nest has been located, gel bait is available for black garden ants. These baits rely on the worker ants taking them back to the nest to feed the queen. Placing the baits in the correct locations can help speed up the efficiency of the control procedure. Baits should be placed in and around nest entrances, cracks and crevices between paving slabs. Alternative residual insecticide treatments can be applied in and around the nest. Using barriers of insecticide at strategic points on a property can stop the infestation gaining access.

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