Ants Infestation Facts

What Do Ants Look Like?

• Black Garden Ant (Lasius niger) the most common species in Europe. The garden ant workers are 3 to 5mm long with glossy black bodies.
• Pharaoh Ant (Monomorium pharaonis) – famous for being a major indoor nuisance, especially in hospitals. These ants are winged, small (2mm), yellow or light brown in colour, seeming almost transparent.
• Roger’s Ant (Hypoponera punctatissima) these ants are similar to Pharaoh ants in appearance. Workers are 2mm in length, light reddish brown in colour. Wingless.
• Ghost Ant (Tapinoma melanocephalum) the smallest of the list, Ghost ants grow only 1.6mm long at best with semi-translucent bodies.

What are the Signs of Ant Infestation?

Ants, unlike most pests, don’t hide from humans, which makes their detection much easier. A good test is leaving pet food, sugar or grains to see if ants will come to gather it. However, a single specimen of these insects is not evidence of an infestation. In the case of Pharaoh ant infestation, detection might be easier due to the transparent trail of pheromones that the species leave behind. These trails are similar to the ones left by snails.

Ant nests are harder to spot, especially if they are not in the soil where they just look like piles of dirt. Ant species in the UK occasionally nest inside homes. Usually in an old wooden pillar or in a crack in the wall. The black ant is known for nesting in the very foundation of buildings.

Where Do Ants Live?

Ants build complex nests where they store their food and ant larvae develop. These nests are usually outdoors but may be indoors too. Nests may be found in:

How many ants in a pound

The notorious castles that ants build are often being called pounds by humans. If you find one of those and you garden and observe the mass of black bodies crawling on top, you might ask yourself, “How many ants live in a pound?”. Well, in the case of the “Black Garden Ant”, which is most common, 5,000 to 7,000 on average. This number can go to the astonishing 40,000.

How long does an ant infestation last?

An ant infestation can last from a few weeks to several months if left untreated. The exact duration depends on factors such as the ant species, size and location of the nest, and conditions within the home. Common black ant infestations are usually easier to eliminate, while species like carpenter ants are more persistent. With proper treatment, including baiting and sealing entry points, infestations are typically resolved within 1 to 3 weeks. Poor hygiene and food availability can prolong or cause recurring infestations. Long-term prevention requires addressing both access points and attractants.

What Do Ants Eat?

The ant diet varies according to the specific species, but common home intruders typically look for:

• sugar
• starches
• fats
• meats
• pet food

Many ants also feed to honeydew, a sweet substance produced by aphids and scale insects. Ants don’t go after packed goods, they eat spilt, left out food or carcases of other insects.

As a matter of fact, ants are the only creature in the world, except humans, that have livestock (aphids).

What smell do ants hate?

Ants are highly sensitive to certain strong smells. Scents that ants hate include:

• Peppermint oil – Its strong menthol aroma overwhelms their scent trails.
• Vinegar (especially white vinegar) – Disrupts pheromone trails and deters ants from returning.
• Citrus (lemon, orange, or grapefruit peels or oils) – The acidity and sharp fragrance act as natural repellents.
• Eucalyptus oil – A powerful, natural ant deterrent.
• Cinnamon – The pungent smell can block scent trails and discourage entry.
• Tea tree oil – Known for its antiseptic properties and strong odour that ants avoid.

These scents can be used in diluted sprays or placed near entry points to help keep ants away naturally.

What does an ant nest look like?

An ant nest is a key sign of an ant infestation, and its appearance varies depending on the species. Outdoors, ant nests often look like small soil or sand mounds with a central hole, commonly found in lawns, pavements, or near building foundations. In some infestations, there may be no visible nest, as ants build colonies under rocks, logs, or hidden within wall cavities. Carpenter ant infestations usually leave behind sawdust-like material (frass), indicating a nest inside wood structures. Underground nests consist of complex tunnels and chambers used to house the colony, store food, and protect the queen. Indoor ant infestations may involve nests hidden behind walls, under floors, or in kitchen cupboards, often noticed only by following active ant trails.

Damage caused by ants nests

By creating their nests, ant species like the Carpenter Ant, can cause structural damage to your property. They are making tunnels through wood material like termites. Although carpenter ants don’t eat the wood, their activity still makes the risk of broken pillars and floor sheets higher.

Ants prefer moist dark places for their nests, and with the humidity problem already present in UK homes, they don’t have no trouble finding a nesting spot.

Black garden ants are not known for causing structural damage, except they can make cracks wider, which holds risks on its own.

The Pharaoh ants are not known for causing any property damage, but they can transmit diseases. To be exact, the bacteria that they carry, can cause diseases and infections.

Are Ants a Health Hazard?

Ants are not disease carriers, but they can cause other hazardous situations. They can damage cables of appliances or any electric wires, which on occasion can result in electric blackouts, phone and computer networks damage or cause fire.

How to Prevent Ant Infestation?

The key to ant prevention is not leaving any food sources. Ants are food gatherers if there is no food to gather they will not be present in your home. Bear in mind that ants can climb on anything, which makes them experts on hard-to-reach areas. An open box of cereal in the cupboard or pantry could become an infestation source. Be sure to keep kitchen and eating areas clean of any crumbs or food parts left out, as these are enough to spark up an infestation.

How Can I Get Rid of Ants?

Start with prevention and make sure there’s no food to attract an ant infestation. Keep all food in sealed containers or packages, while regularly cleaning the house of any food particles. In cases of Pharaoh ant infestation, sweeping the floor is a must in order to ensure that their pheromone trails are removed. There are solutions to common ant infestation that can be store-bought, but getting rid of ant nests is harder, especially without any professional help or guidance. Be sure to advise with an ant exterminator before taking any action. Especially if you are not sure about the species of ants you are dealing with. Keep in mind that many companies offer free quotes and pest identification.