Ants

There is about 3000 species of Ants in Australia and they are social insects that live in more or less permanent nests. Ants belong to family Formicidae with order Hymenoptera, the group of Insects that includes Ant, Bees, Wasps, Sawflies and Wood Wasps. Colony sizes vary enormously and can be located in soil and wood. Ants may be predators, perhaps with specific prey (eg. Termites when they are exposed), or scavengers, which again may have a specific diet (the honeydew or sugary excretions of plant-sucking bugs) or a general one. As a group the Ants are considered by many to be among the most successful of all Insects. The Ant is not related to the Termite and the term 'White Ant' is confusing and misleading.

The female or 'Queen' regulates the colony. After one mating with a male, (after which the male usually dies), the female commences egg-laying. Those eggs that are fertilized become females (mostly workers), and the those eggs that are not fertilized develop into males. At certain times of the year  a large number of winged males and reproductive females are produced. They usually swarm in colonizing flights, during which mating occurs. The males die soon after and the females, if successful, drop her wings and find an appropriate nest site and start a new colony. Not all Ants swarm, some Ants will mate within the nest and then leave with a number of workers and start a new colony. Here are just some of the species of Ants:

Small Brown Ants

Coastal Brown Ant

1.5-2.5mm light yellowish brown to brown Ants. Often located within a buildings, in crevices in brickwork, in wall cavity, and behind skirting and architraves. They prefer materials of animal origin, including dead insects, meat particles, fat and grease.

Brown House Ant

2-3mm uniformly brown and have a distinct odour when crushed. Typically forms small colonies around paths and in crevices and joints in brick and stonework. Prefers high protein diet like meat, insects and blood.

Small Black Ants

Whitefooted House Ant

2.5-3mm black with pale tarsi. Commonly nest indoors and outdoors and inside found inside wall cavity, behind skirting and under and behind kitchen cupboards etc. Somewhat of a general feeder, eating both meats and sweets but probably prefers sweets.

Black House Ant,

2.5-3mm black. Mostly nests outside against paths and in rockeries and other crevices. Eats a variety of foods but prefers sweets.

Larger Ants

Greenhead Ants

5-6mm black with metallic head and distinctive appearance and odour. Mostly associated with bushy areas and have small colonies and feed on mainly materials of vegetable origin. Seldom enters houses but can inflict a painful sting.

Carpenter Ant

7-12mm and have variable colours. Mostly nest in decayed or moist wood and some times nests in soil. May travel great distances for food and forages at night and eats dead and live Insects, honeydew from sap suckers and a variety of household waste. Attracted to sweets, moistly associated with bushy areas.

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