Pest Guide
Ants
Ants are common around Perth homes and can enter buildings while searching for food, water and suitable nesting areas. While seeing an occasional ant may not indicate a major problem, persistent trails or repeated activity can suggest a nearby nest or established colony.
Common signs include:
- Regular ant trails along walls, floors or benchtops
- Ants gathering around food or water sources
- Activity around windows, doors and small gaps
- Ants emerging from cracks, paving or wall areas
- Soil or nesting material around entry points
- Repeated activity even after visible ants have been removed
Where Do Ants Hide?
Ants can establish nests in many different locations depending on the species and surrounding conditions. They may be found:
- Beneath paving and concrete
- In soil and garden areas
- Around foundations
- Inside wall cavities
- Beneath or behind kitchen cabinetry
- Around windows and door frames
- Near plumbing and moisture sources
- In cracks and gaps around the property
What Attracts Ants?
Ants commonly enter homes while searching for reliable sources of food and moisture. Common attractants include:
- Crumbs and food spills
- Sugary foods and drinks
- Grease and food residue
- Unsealed pantry products
- Pet food
- Rubbish and recycling
- Leaking taps or plumbing
- Moist areas around kitchens and bathrooms
How Can You Reduce Ant Activity?
- Clean crumbs and spills promptly
- Keep food stored in sealed containers
- Avoid leaving pet food out for extended periods
- Empty rubbish regularly
- Clean food residue from benches and floors
- Repair leaking taps and plumbing
- Seal accessible cracks and gaps where practical
- Keep vegetation and debris around the home maintained
When Is Professional Treatment Needed?
Professional pest control may be appropriate when ant activity is persistent, widespread or repeatedly returns after basic prevention measures.
Simply removing the ants you can see may not address the colony responsible for the activity. Professional treatment can target ant activity and nesting areas using a treatment approach suited to the situation.
