Ants

Are very intelligent insects and are normally quite beneficial to the gardenant4 More than 8,800 species of ant are known to man. They have largely differing habits in the way they construct their nests, from their colonies and in the way they obtain their nutrition.

Most are beneficial, scavenging on waste and insects. however some are regarded as pests, these include the Pharaohs ant, once they are introduced into houses and hospitals in search of proteins and fats, and the black garden ant or common black ant

Both species are a particular nuisance when foraging frantically for food and water along a scent marked trail. They feed on most foodstuffs, Pharaohs ants preferring proteinaceous foods like meat, cheese and fats, the garden ant favouring sweet stuffs.

Pharaoh ants also infest hospitals, feeding on blood, intravenous liquids, bodily excretions and sterile and soiled dressings. They commonly chew on materials and packaging and can even bite small children. Clearly they pose a serious threat to health as vectors of pathogenic organisms.

The garden ant is not too difficult to eradicate / control, whereas the Pharaoh ant requires specialist treatment and cannot be controlled by conventional means. To control Pharaoh ants can be a lengthy and costly exercise.