How to Identify Ants in Perth?

What Are The Most Common Pest Ants In Perth, WA?

Ant infestations in Perth, WA, are a significant problem. They are more severe than in other Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, or even Brisbane. While Brisbane first encountered the invasive Red Imported Fire Ants in 2001, Perth faces a unique challenge. The city’s sandy terrain provides an ideal habitat for many ant species. This environment allows these ants to thrive and cause issues for residents.

This is not just a simple nuisance. It is a major social, economic, and ecological challenge. Many introduced ant species are highly aggressive. They compete with and attack native ant populations, disrupting the local ecosystem. The threat of invasive species is not limited to ants. It affects various animals, plants, and insects throughout the region.

Below, we will explore some of the most common ant species causing problems for Perth residents and businesses. Understanding these ants is the first step. It helps in managing and reducing their impact on our lives and the environment.

Argentine Ants in Perth

Argentine ants, or Linepithema humile, are an introduced species. As their name suggests, they have established themselves throughout Perth WA. . These ants are commonly found in suburban areas, constantly searching for food sources. They are especially attracted to damp, moist environments. Locations like behind refrigerators provide the ideal conditions for these pests.

Their diet includes a wide variety of foods. They are drawn to meat, sweets, bread, pet food, and crumbs. If kitchen benches are not wiped down regularly, the risk of an ant infestation increases significantly.

What Do Argentine Ants Look Like?

Argentine ants primarily resemble your typical ant. They are dark brown in colour and measure about 2.6 to 3.3mm in length. Worker ants are often easy to spot. They form large trails that can sometimes be three ants wide. If you notice these trails, it is a clear sign of an infestation. At this point, it is advisable to contact A1 Pest Control Perth for professional assistance.

The good news is that Argentine ants do not have a stinger. Additionally, their bite is not painful.

Why Do I See So Many Argentine Ants?

Argentine ants are prolific breeders. Uniquely, their queens can live for several years, while worker ants have a lifespan of up to one year. A single colony may contain multiple queens. This characteristic allows them to multiply rapidly, leading to quick infestations in homes.

These ants also exhibit unusual behaviour. For instance, if you place your hand in front of a trail, they will run over it without hesitation. This behaviour is not common in other ant species and highlights their aggressive nature.

Argentine ants are highly adaptable and well-suited to urban environments. Originating from South America, they have also become widespread in regions such as South Africa and the USA. In Australia, they were first recorded in Albany in the early 1940s. From there, they quickly established themselves in Perth, WA.

Due to their rapid adaptation and prolific breeding, controlling these ants can be challenging. It is recommended to use a professional pest control service, like A1 Pest Control Perth, to manage infestations effectively.

What Impact Do Argentine Ants Have On The Perth Environment?

Unfortunately, Argentine ants have a significant impact on local ecology. They invade bird nests and attack eggs, disrupting native bird populations. Additionally, they destroy native fauna and are highly effective at eliminating rival ant species within their territory. This dominance is largely due to their overwhelming numbers.

Argentine ants also pose a threat to agriculture. They attack commercial beehives and damage orchards, affecting both honey production and fruit crops. Given these ecological and economic consequences, expert intervention is crucial. Book now with A1 Pest Control Perth, and we can help eliminate the problem effectively.

Coastal Browns Or Big-Headed Ants?

Coastal brown ants (Pheidole megacephala) are a major pest in Perth, WA. They are common in Perth suburbs, and most residents have likely encountered them. These ants are often seen on brickwork, where they can cause structural destabilisation, or on lawns. Coastal brown ants are an introduced species, originally from Africa.

One unique characteristic of these ants is their ability to form supercolonies. Interconnected nests join together, with each nest housing multiple queens. Coastal brown ants have been known to infest entire acres of land, sometimes affecting whole blocks of houses at once. If you suspect an infestation, call A1 Pest Control Perth for an effective solution.

What Do Coastal Brown Ants Look Like?

Coastal brown ants have two types of worker ants. The main workers are quite small, measuring around 2mm to 3mm in length. They are light brown or ginger in colour, with shiny abdomens.

The second type is the larger caste, which ranges from 3.5mm to 4.5mm in size. These ants make up only about 1% of the population. Unlike defence soldiers in other ant species, these larger workers are not specialised for protection. Instead, their primary role is to chop up larger food items into smaller pieces. This allows the smaller worker ants to carry the food back to the nest efficiently.

How Do I Know If Coastal Browns Are On My Property?

One way to identify a coastal brown ant infestation is by observing small holes in the ground or lawn. You may also notice small mounds of dirt. As previously mentioned, brickwork and paving can become destabilised. Another common sign is plants drying out. This can occur due to the ants disturbing the soil around the roots. Additionally, you may find pet food covered in ants. Coastal brown ants can be difficult to spot at first, as they are small and blend in with their surroundings.

Given these signs, the most effective solution is to call pest control experts. We can identify and manage the infestation quickly.

When Are Coastal Browns Most Active?

Coastal brown ants are most active from late summer through early winter and autumn. During this time, they primarily remain underground. However, as their population increases, they begin to invade properties. This can have a devastating impact. Coastal brown ants are known to consume meat and oil-based foods, making them a nuisance in homes.

These ants are well-adapted to urban environments. In fact, they thrive in areas with human development. Disturbed land, such as housing developments, provides ideal conditions for their colonies. This adaptability is one reason why coastal brown ants have become such a persistent problem in recent years.

Are Coastal Browns A Threat To The Perth WA Environment?

Yes, as an introduced species, they will eliminate native species also because multiple colonies can act as one colony. In many instances, no other ants will survive their invading areas. Fundamentally, they can secure large areas of land and dominate.

Browsing Ants

The Browsing Ant should not be confused with Australia’s native Black House Ant. The Browsing ant originates from southern Europe and thrives in Mediterranean climates. This makes Perth, WA, an ideal hunting ground, especially during the warmer months.

Browsing ants were first detected in Perth in 2013 at the Perth Airport. They later spread to a freight depot in Belmont, then to Kewdale, and have now been spotted in Bullsbrook. Due to their invasive nature, swift eradication is necessary to prevent further spread and ecological damage.

These ants have also been found in Darwin and Brisbane. If you are a resident of Brisbane, Darwin, or Perth, it is essential to contact local professional pest control services for effective management.

What Do Browsing Ants Look Like?

Why Is The Browsing Ant A threat To Western Australia?

As previously mentioned, Browsing ants multiply rapidly, spreading aggressively. They are a significant nuisance, both indoors and in gardens. These ants hunt and feast inside homes, causing problems for residents. Outdoors, they feed on plants and vegetation, which can lead to severe ecological damage.

Browsing ants are sap-suckers, and their feeding habits can kill native flora and destroy crops. This behaviour poses a direct threat to Western Australia’s multi-billion-dollar horticultural industry. The economic impact of these ants is substantial, as their destruction of crops and vegetation affects both agriculture and the natural environment.

Like many introduced species, Browsing ants disrupt Australia’s delicate ecological balance. Recognising the severity of this threat, the government has declared war on this invasive pest.

Black House Ants

Black House ants are native to Western Australia and are a common pest in Perth. If you live in Perth, you have likely encountered these insects. They frequently invade homes, especially in areas like kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and laundries. You may also find them in sheds and garages.

Black House ants have a strong preference for sweet foods. They feed on sugar, soft drinks, cordial, honeydew nectar, and even other insects. It is not uncommon to see them nesting in garbage bins or trash.

Unlike many ant species, Black House ants often build nests inside homes. You may find their nests in roofs, wall cavities, and even in pot plants. Unusually, they can also nest in appliances such as refrigerators, computers, microwaves, and other electrical items.

Can Black House Ants Cause Damage?

Black House ants pose a risk to human health due to their scavenging behaviour. As mentioned, these ants are known to travel between unsanitary areas and food storage spaces. For instance, if they crawl down the kitchen sink and then make their way back into kitchen drawers, they can contaminate cutlery and surfaces. This behaviour can spread bacteria such as salmonella, putting you and your family at risk.

These ants are often found in bathrooms and laundries. Similar to cockroaches, they can move between the kitchen and other unhygienic areas. This constant movement can create a serious health hazard, contaminating food and surfaces. In essence, Black House ants are as unsanitary as cockroaches.

While Black House ants do not cause direct structural damage to property, they are unpleasant to live with. If you discover a nest or multiple nests in your home, it is essential to seek expert pest control services.

What Do Black House Ants Look Like?

Black House ants (Ochetellus glaber) are small, shiny, and black. They measure between 2.5mm and 3mm in length. Fortunately, these ants do not have a sting or a harmful bite. They are commonly referred to as sweet ants or scavenger ants. As such, they are frequently found in areas where food is present in the home.

If you suspect a nest of Black House ants, it is best to call a local pest control service. While there are some DIY methods available, such as using Borax or applying fly spray directly onto the nest, these ants can be difficult to eliminate. They are persistent and will continue to return if they identify your home as a food source. The challenge becomes greater if multiple nests are established.

Red Imported Fire Ants

As their name suggests, Red Imported Fire Ants are not insects to be taken lightly. Globally, these ants are known to terrorise urban residents and farmers. They are an imported species, first detected in Brisbane, Australia, in 2001. In 2019, they were spotted at Fremantle ports, prompting a government-led eradication program.

Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) pose a serious threat to Perth and Western Australia on multiple levels. As mentioned, they have established themselves in South-East Queensland, particularly in Brisbane. It is suspected that they may have reached Western Australia through the transportation of pot plants, turf, shipping containers, or even beehives.

These ants are highly aggressive. They have the ability to produce multiple queens, allowing them to form supercolonies. This behaviour increases their population rapidly and makes them even more difficult to control. Understanding the capabilities of Red Imported Fire Ants highlights the serious threat they pose.

What to Know About Imported Fire Ants?

Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA) originate from Brazil, specifically the state of Mato Grosso. They are small ants, ranging from 2mm to 6mm in length. These ants are extremely dangerous and aggressive. If their nest is disturbed, they will attack in large numbers. In some cases, humans may experience severe allergic reactions to their stings.

The sting of a Red Imported Fire Ant is similar to that of a wasp. These ants are relentless in attack mode. The sting site often develops a pustule. To identify a RIFA nest, look for mounds of fluffed-up soil. These mounds are typically around 40cm high and 70cm wide. The nests are usually found on lawns, sports ovals, school grounds, paddocks, or golf courses. Uniquely, RIFA nests do not have distinct entry or exit holes.

If you notice these signs on your property, it is important to take action quickly.