August 2011

ANTS are coming. Be clever in stopping them.

Agrovating Ant Treatment

So often the services of a PCO (Pest Control Officer) are required to treat for ants, mostly a huge irritation to so many house owners and home executives.

It is also common knowledge that some insecticides can be purchased from your local hardware store around the corner, with the wonderful promises that it will terminate whatever insect you need to terminate. This is far removed from reality.

The one insect that really get under our skins is the ant. There are a vast number of ant species and they can become a real nuisance as well as a health tread. Worker ants foraging for food and water become a concern when they infest food or other items in the home. Although most ants consume a wide variety of foods (they are omnivorous), certain species prefer some types of foods and some even change their preference over time.

There are two species of ants that is of concern in and around our homes in South Africa namely, the Pharaoh ant (Monomorium pharaonis), which are the small little red or orange coloured ants we find in and around our homes. These ants live on 80% protein and 20% carbohydrates. They are the once that will eat leftovers after a braai, pet food or some or other meaty substance which were not properly cleaned after a meal.

The other species is the Odorous house ant (Tapinoma sessile), which are a small little black ant we find mostly in the kitchen. These ants live on 90% carbohydrates and 10% protein. They go for unprotected sugar and sweet foods.

Both these species when treated with insecticides in an incorrect manner will perform "DUBBING". Dubbing is splitting up of the ant nest when the ants suspect danger or become irritated. What actually happen is that the nest split up and form a second or even a third nest. By treating the ants in an incorrect manner, and with the wrong insecticide one causes the ants to start dubbing. So the problem become worse than before starting the treatment, and you created more ant nests than you originally had.

That is where Mostert Pest Control can assist you with the correct treatment for the specific ant problem at your home. Let the professionals assist you.

Paul van Dijker
Mostert Pest Control Richards Bay