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Ants love the kitchen or lunchroom where food attracts ants in from outside.
New Zealand has around thirty three common species of ants. Some are carbohydrate feeders and others search out protein. Ants live together in large colonies and are dependant on that community for their survival. They establish themselves in a series of tunnels and chambers where a queen lays eggs and rear them through to adulthood. At this point adult workers take over rearing of young leaving the queen to do nothing but lay eggs for the rest of her life. The workers are the ants seen foraging outside the nests.
When atmospheric conditions are right, winged males and females emerge from the nest and swarm in large number. They mate in flight and may enter houses to establish new colonies in suitable sites. this starts in late January and can last through into autumn.
The white footed house ant is the primary pest ant found throughout New zealand. Normally found nesting in the ground and rotten debris. It has a readiness to relocate indoors to a potentially more suitable location nearer food sources and will seek out sweet foodstuffs. It will frequently establish large colonies behind weatherboards and in house situations.
The Bay of Plenty area is prone to other species. Bigheaded ant, Tiny brown ant and Oriental ant will invade houses, factories, stores and food outlets.
The cosmopolitan Pharaoh's ant is confined mostly to urban areas and its normal preferred environment is continuously heated buildings particularly hospitals, hair salons, medical clinics and the like.
Darwin's ant is a nuisance species as it will enter houses and nest. It emits a musty greasy odour. |
