Ant Control Tshwane

Don’t Be Controlled by Invasive Ants in Tshwane

In many ways, ants appear to be opportunistic. You don’t have to spill sugar onto the floor or the surface of your kitchen cabinet, or leave exposed sweet (or even savoury) foodstuffs out overnight to attract ants into your home in Tshwane or elsewhere in South Africa. They find their own way in, sooner or later, and it’s not easy to get rid of them, unless you’re an expert, equipped with professional pesticides and specialised knowledge on precise species identification, behaviour, habitat and appropriate, safe yet effective treatment products.

The entire African continent is home to some 550 ant species, but not all appear in the Tshwane area or invade homes and buildings.

Ant Pests

The size of colonies can vary greatly, from relatively few members to 300 000; their lifecycle spans 4 stages – egg, larvae, pupa and adult. In the latter, mature stage, there are workers and soldiers, who take care of the colony and the queen.

Most are attracted to food establishments, especially kitchen areas, homes, offices and outdoor areas, particularly in gardens, under paving, in lawns and wall cavities, where they may cause structural damage.

Most aren’t dangerous, although they may carry bacteria and up to 20 disease organisms. It’s not easy to rid one’s property or home of these busy, tiny creatures and because nests are well hidden and inaccessible to humans, specialist treatment is required to control populations and remove them from homes.

Ants, Their Habits and Preferred Foods

The most commonplace types of ants found in the Tshwane region are the following:

  • Black house ants – about 3 - 4mm in length, form huge colonies, enter homes and kitchens in search of sweet foodstuffs, leftovers, garbage and also consume dog excrement, which presents an obvious danger to human beings
  • Carpenter – may grow up to 12mm long, and destroy wood
  • Red – often occur in lawns; they give a painful, stinging bite if threatened, can be a major invasive pest, eat proteins, sweet foods and fats
  • Argentine – about 1.6mm long, follow food trails once the workers have discovered a source, often far distant from nests, and they oust other ant species. They have a preference for sweet foods, eat live and dead insects, meats and open fruit
  • Garden ants – found under paving and in the ground, preferably where it’s sunny, also follow food trails, consisting mainly of sweet items and proteins
  • Pavement ants – like to establish nests near water source, in lawns, below stones/paving, or wood, form mounds on pavements or adjacent to foundations of buildings or outer walls. This species invades homes in search of food, sometimes via wiring or pipes and consume almost anything, also pet food which has been left out
  • Sugar ant – follows laid down trails, prefers humid conditions, feeding on proteins and dead insects, nests deep underground, especially in wall cavities

Control Measures

Bugman Pest Control Services is registered with the Department of Agriculture and uses only SABS approved insecticides and pesticides, residual sprays, gel baits and dusts, ensuring your, your family’s and pet’s safety.

More than one control treatment is normally required, because of ants’ 4 stage lifecycle and deeply hidden nests. Bugman Pest Control in Tshwane provides free quotes, fairly priced, effective treatments and qualified, excellent service. So contact us today for more details.