UK set for ant invasion this summer

While cold winters can be a killer for ants, they tend to maintain the same nest for several years at a time. After the third warmest winter in Britain in the past 100 years and the warm start to spring, conditions in the UK are right for ants to mate and thrive. This resulted in an 83% increase in enquires to Rentokil in the month of May.

The most common ant species in the UK is the Black Garden ant, which generally lives outside in nutrient-rich, moist environments. During the spring and summer, they are often found in the warm, damp area beneath paving slabs. They frequently make their way indoors in search of food and additional places to nest. Should they find a food source, the ants will lay down a chemical trail to give other ants a signal to follow, causing a potential problem to quickly escalate in your home or business.

David Cross, head of technical training academy, Rentokil Pest Control, said: “Preventing an ant problem all starts with simple hygiene. Storing food in sealed containers and wiping down surfaces will go a long way to keeping your home or business ant free. If caught early, ant issues can be dealt with quickly and easily. A range of DIY products are available for use indoors and outdoors, in the form of sprays and powders, and nests can be treated with a killer gel which the ants themselves then help spread within their nest.

“However, immovable infestations may require professional attention to effectively and finally deal with the problem, particularly if the ants have found their way into wall voids or under floor tiles.”

Rentokil also advises that should a hot summer materialise in the UK, there could also be an increase in the number of Flying Ants – these are the males and new queens produced by the black garden ant colony, growing up to three times the size of their peers. The goal of the flying ants is to breed and build new nests in other areas creating a potential pest nuisance for the following season.

Tips to prevent ant problems:

1. Exercise good hygiene

When there is a spillage or mess, clean it up as soon as possible. Once ants have found their food they leave chemical trails to lead other ants to the area. Be sure to clean up sticky messes, shut food containers properly, and don’t leave washing up to fester. Also keep surfaces clean and clear of food, so there won’t be anything to attract them.

2. Regular deep clean

Aside from maintaining a hygienic environment on a day to day basis, a regular, proactive cleaning regime plays an important role in avoiding an unwelcome visit from ants. Pay particular attention to those hard to reach places, which could be fostering the moist conditions craved by ants. Cleaning also disrupts the chemical trail left by ants.

3. Keep an eye out for any ants outside your premises

Most patios are laid on sand, and ants will often emerge between the cracks to find and carry food. By watching where the ants disappear into the crack, you’ll be able to locate the nest – and have a place to aim that ant killer spray before it spreads any further.