← All Pests
Ants
Treat the colony, not the trail.
There are 1,300+ species of ant in Australia and Newcastle has its fair share - black house ants, coastal brown ants, pavement ants, the lot. Off-the-shelf surface sprays kill the workers you can see but leave the colony intact, so they're back in a week. Proper ant management targets the nest.
Signs of infestation
- Visible trails to food or water sources
- Small piles of fine soil or sand on paths and pavers
- Ants emerging from cracks in walls, floors or window frames
- Sudden swarms of winged ants on warm afternoons
- Recurring infestations every spring and summer
How we treat ants
- Identify the species, as different ants need different baits
- Targeted non-repellent baits the workers carry back to the colony
- Perimeter and entry-point residual treatment
- Granular outdoor baits for garden colonies
- Sealing & exclusion advice
Prevention
- Wipe down sticky surfaces (kitchen benches, pet bowls) daily
- Store pantry items in sealed containers
- Trim trees and shrubs away from the house
- Address moisture issues in bathrooms and under sinks
- Sweep crumbs around the BBQ and outdoor dining areas