Coastal Brown Ants

Coastal brown ants (Pheidole megacephala), also called big-headed ants, are a major nuisance ant species in Western Australia. They are an urban pest and are often seen in lawns and in brick paving which they tend to undermine.

They are a relatively new species to Perth, having only been discovered in the early 2000s, but they have quickly become a problem for home and business owners alike.

If you’re finding these pests on your property, it’s time to call in the professionals for pest control in Perth.

At Cottesloe Pest Control, we can provide effective treatment for coastal brown ants, big-headed ants, and other common pests. Some of the benefits of our services include:

• Quick and effective control of ant populations

• Protect your property from damage caused by these pests

• Peace of mind knowing your property is safe from these nuisance pests

If you’re concerned about coastal brown ants or other pests on your property, contact us today for a free quote on our pest control services in Perth.

If you’re a homeowner in Perth, you may want to consider pest treatment.

Coastal brown ants are an introduced ant species of African origin and can be very difficult to get rid of.

They’re small, light ginger-brown/reddish brown colored ants, with shiny dark brown abdomens

The coastal brown ant has two very different-sized ‘castes’ of worker ants – small ‘minors’, and larger ‘majors’.

The majors make up about 1% of the population and have very powerful jaws which they use to cut up food into small pieces.

These ants have no obvious odor when crushed.

If you think you may have a coastal brown ant problem, contact a pest control professional to discuss treatment options.

1. If you’re noticing an increase in big-headed ants in your home, it’s important to get pest treatment as soon as possible. These ants can form “super-colonies” and are very difficult to get rid of
2. Big-headed ants prefer meat or fat/oil-based foods, so they will be attracted to your kitchen if you have food out.
3. These ants are particularly active in late summer, autumn, and early winter, so now is the time to get treatment before they become a bigger problem.
4. Pest treatment is the best way to get rid of big-headed ants and prevent them from coming back. Contact a pest control company today to get started.

Homeowners in Perth, Western Australia are being advised to be on the lookout for big-headed ants.

Here’s what you need to know about these pests, and how to get rid of them

Symptoms: Infestations of big-headed ants are characterized by lines of inter-connected holes and small mounds of excavated soil. Excavations can be so extensive that brick paving is destabilized and the roots of plants and the lawn can become so aerated that the plants subsequently die by drying out. Often the small worker ants are hard to see, but food put out for pets can become covered in ants.

Cause: Look for two distinctly different-sized ants on a food source, with the larger worker ants having a disproportionately larger head.

Solutions: Homeowners in Perth are being advised to contact a pest control professional to get rid of these pests. Pest control professionals will be able to identify the problem and provide a solution to get rid of the big-headed ants.

If you’re seeing big-headed ants in your home, it’s important to take action and get them treated

1. The most effective treatment is using oil-based baits containing the active ingredient hydramethylnon

2. These baits must be broadcast over the infested areas as per instructions on the product label

3. The baits should never be heaped around ant mounds- this is less effective and increases the risk to non-target organisms

4. While expensive, a small 170g container is sufficient to treat a normal-sized urban block

5. If the entire property is treated, it may take 2-3 months or longer before it’s re-colonized from untreated neighboring properties

6. Mechanical hand-held rotary or spinning-disc spreaders are ideal for evenly applying the baits

7. Keep the bait in a cool, dry location when not in use- since the bait attractant is oil, the bait can become rancid and unattractive to ants if it’s not stored correctly

Order pest treatment for ants? You’ve come to the right place

Here are some top tips on how to make sure you get the best service from a Perth pest expert:

Bait should be broadcast when the ants are most active – this varies with the season:

• Hot weather in summer — apply baits before 9 am or after 4 pm.

• Cold weather in winter— apply baits between 10 am and 3 pm

• Baits should remain dry for 12 hours after being applied. Therefore, do not apply if rain is expected and ensure irrigation does not come on within 12 hours of application

• Correct application of bait outside the building will also cure indoor ant infestations but do not apply the bait inside the home

If you follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying an ant-free home in no time!

Conclusion

Now that you know how to get rid of big-headed ants for good, it’s important to take action. Make sure you order a pest treatment for ants and follow the tips we’ve given to ensure an effective treatment. An ant-free home is just a few steps away!