Book Us Today & Let’s Get Started!

Professional Ant Control Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula & Gippsland

To get rid of ants, many homeowners turn to professional pest managers for an effective ant control treatment because supermarket products just don’t provide lasting results. Supermarket and hardware products will certainly kill the ants you spray, but they rarely kill the nest, so the problem returns.

To exterminate ants and get lasting protection takes expert knowledge and specialist ant products.

Here at Termites VIC we are ant experts – identifying the species and understanding its behaviour is critical to success. Then using a range of specialist ant products, we can guarantee to eliminate your ant problem and provide lasting protection. All our ant treatments come with a 6-month warranty.

Call Termites VIC to get rid of annoying ants

What our customers think…

Pest Control for Ants

The first stage in an ant treatment is to carry out an inspection to identity the species present, the areas of activity, how they are getting in to the house (for indoor ant issues) and if possible, find the location of the nest. This then allows us to develop an effective ant treatment knowing which products to use, where to place the products and how much to use.

Our Professional Ant Treatments

Typically we use a combination of specialist ant sprays (Termidor) and a suitable ant bait to eliminate the ant problem.

Termidor is a unique spray in that it is not repellent to ants and does not kill them immediately. This allows it to be passed on to ants which haven’t been in contact with the insectide through their normal behaviours, such as grooming. As a result, it can be spread through the colony, sometimes killing the nest.

Ant baits are designed to actually kill the colony and so are very effective in killing the nest that is causing the problem. However, it does not prevent other ants moving in once the nest has been eliminated, which is why it is best to use baits and spray in combination.

Indoor ants

Indoor ant problems can be caused by either a nest inside the house (often in the roof void or wall cavity) or by ants coming into the house from outside. For ants inside the house, we will generally use an ant bait to eliminate the nest. For ants coming in from outside we will use a spray around the perimeter of the building and around entry points to prevent the ants coming in, and if suitable a ant bait to eliminate the nest causing the problem.

Outdoor ants

Lawn ants

How do ant baits work?

Ant baits consist of a food and slow acting insecticide. The ants eat the bait and take it back to the nest and pass it on to their nest mates, including the queen. As it’s slow acting, it gets passed around the nest before the ants start to feel its deleterious effects.

There are two challenges in using ant baits – which ant bait to use and how much to apply? Not all ants like the same food / bait, but our experienced pest technicians know which bait is best for which species. It is also important that enough bait is applied to allow the whole nest to be affected. Generally we get this right first time, but for major infestations, a second visit may be required.

Ant baits do not kill the nest immediately. Although ant numbers may well drop off after 24 hours, it will take 1-3 days for small nests to die and can take 1-2 weeks for large nests / infestations to be eliminated.

Termites VIC – Your Ant Exterminator in Melbourne

Although some customers search for a “ant exterminator”, getting rid of ants and providing lasting protection is more that just being an ant exterminator. We need to carrying out an inspection to understand what’s going on, then develop a treatment program to eliminate the problem. For some species of ant, it may be necessary to have an ongoing ant management program. So although some people use the term, ant exterminator, here at Termites VIC, we feel we far more than just an exterminator.

How to Prevent an Ant Problem…

To help prevent ants invading the house, apart from blocking potential entry points, the key action is to remove potential food sources in and around the house:

Clear away dirty dishes immediately after use
Clear up food spills
Keep garbage in sealed containers
Put opened food packets into sealed containers
Don’t leave uneaten pet food out

Avoid having vegetation against the building will also help.

Call Termites VIC to get rid of annoying ants

Ant treatments – FAQ

How long do ant treatments last?

Whether it is part of our general pest control treatment or a stand alone specialist ant treatment, we offer a 6-month warranty. The exact length of protection depends on the level of exposure of the treated surface to sun and rain. In sheltered areas the treatment can last longer than 6 months.

If the ant problem is caused by one of the invasive ant species (see below), it may be necessary to have regular ant treatments to keep the building ant free.

Are ant treatments safe around children and pets?

When we carry out an ant spray, children and pets need to be kept out of the treatment area during application, but once the treatment is dry, pets and children can re-enter. When we use baits, we will place them in bait stations in areas where children and pets may gain access, although we generally place them out of reach. The level of insecticide in the baits is extremely low and so is unlikely to cause any ill effect if accidentally ingested. For granular baits used outside, pets should be kept out of the area until the ants have take then bait. (Although again, as they only contain a small amount of insecticide, the risk level is very low).

What do I need to do before and after a treatment?

If we are spraying around the building, before the treatment it is helpful if belongings are removed from areas around the perimeter of the building to allow a thorough and safe treatment. In particular, children’s toys and pet food bowls should be removed. Any fishtanks and ponds should be covered.

Whereas it is not essential to leave the premises during application, pets and children need to be kept clear of the treatment area during application and should not be allowed to re-enter until the treatment has dried.

Types of Ants

Whilst there are many different species of ants, there are 6 common pest ants in Melbourne:

Black house ant (a black ant, primarily indoor problem)
White footed ant (ablack ant, primarily indoor problem)
Coastal brown ant, also called big-headed ant (a brown ant, indoor and outdoor problem)
Argentine ant (a brown ant, indoor and outdoor problem)
Funnel ant (a lawn ant)
Green-head ant (a lawn ant)

Black house ants feeding on ant gel bait

Coastal brown ants often dig up dirt under pavers

Coastal brown ants eating a dead cockroach

Invasive ants

Both Argentine ants and coastal brown ants are invasive ants (not native to Australia). They have rapid rates of reproduction and can form massive super colonies consisting of multiple nests, each containing multiple queens. Such super colonies can cover an area of many square kilometres. Given this biology, it is never going to be possible to completely eliminate such ants. Our treatments will keep them out of the building for several months (thus our 6-month warranty), but eventually they will re-invade an area. If these ants are in your neighbourhood, regular treatments may be necessary.

Call Termites VIC to to get rid of annoying ants

Have any questions? Call us now!

Call 1800 113 112

Ant Pest Control