Big-headed or coastal brown ants are a prevalent pest species in Western Australia. This species includes two types of worker ants: major or soldier ants and minor workers.
Although they do not sting, these ants can become a nuisance in your garden or home while searching for food. Their diet includes various items, with a preference for sweets and animal-based foods.
Coastal brown ants are tiny, light brown ants with shiny dark brown abdomens. The minor workers measure 2-3mm long, while the significant ants are more prominent, measuring 3.5-4.5mm. The major ants have significantly larger heads than their bodies, making up only 1% of the population.
The primary or soldier worker ants are not defensive. However, they have strong jaws to cut large pieces of food into smaller, more manageable pieces. When crushed, these ants do not produce any noticeable odour.
Coastal brown ants can make their nests in disturbed soils, flowerbeds, and underneath objects such as bricks, flowerpots, and cement slabs. They can also be found near trees, water pipes, walkways, and areas where the soil has been displaced.
Despite maintaining a lawn, coastal brown ant infestations are still possible. Even if the infestation is not immediately apparent, these ants are often seen along the edges where the lawn meets the walkway. Additionally, they can rapidly spread to nearby areas to establish new nests.
Coastal brown ants undergo a four-stage life cycle, which includes the egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. Then, similar to other ant species, they undergo a complete metamorphosis. The queen ants can lay up to 290 eggs monthly, hatching within 2 to 4 weeks.
Once hatched, the eggs develop into legless white larvae that are cared for by worker ants. After a month, they enter the pupal stage, and adult workers emerge within 10 to 20 days. Queen ants can live for several years, while worker ants have a lifespan of around 1 year.
Inter-connected holes and small mounds of excavated soil can recognise coastal brown ant infestations. If these ants have infiltrated your home, you may notice them near your pets’ food. An important indication of a coastal brown ant infestation is the presence of two ants of different sizes on food items.
Coastal brown ants do not pose a threat in terms of property damage or stings. However, their presence can be a nuisance as they often forage in kitchens, bathrooms, driveways, and near doors and windows. If the ants are visible, it can lead to unsanitary conditions and a negative impression on guests.
Our experience and knowledge in removing various types of ants from your properties make us a trusted name in the industry. We are a team of technicians who can identify the type of ant infestation in your property and implement a targeted treatment plan to eradicate them.
We use bait, traps, and other control methods to eliminate these unwanted pests quickly and efficiently. No matter what kind of ants you have in your home or business, our ant removal experts can help you.
At Tom’s Pest Control Adelaide, we understand how important it is to remove ants from your property and decide to prevent future infestation. As part of our ant removal service, we can advise how to keep ants at bay and what preventative measures you should take to ensure they don’t come back.
If you want to know more about our ant removal services, please do not hesitate to contact us today.
Signs of a coastal brown ant infestation include inter-connected holes and small heap of excavated soil. If these ants have infiltrated your home, you may also notice them near your pets’ food. An important indication of a coastal brown ant infestation is the presence of two ants of different sizes on food items.
While there are DIY methods available for removing coastal brown ants, they may not always be effective. It is recommended to seek the assistance of a professional pest control service to ensure that the infestation is eradicated.
The cost of coastal brown ant removal service can vary depending on the infestation’s severity and the property’s size. Therefore, contacting a pest control service for a quote is best.
Tom’s Pest Control Adelaide believe in effective communication as a key aspect of maintaining high-service levels. Please feel free to contact us by phone or online if you have any queries or problems.
