How do I get rid of ants in my house?

Ants are a common pest in built-up areas such as Christchurch. They often invade homes looking for food, shelter and water. However, there are ways to reduce ants in your home and to get rid of them once and for all.

Why do ants invade homes in Christchurch?

There are 40 species of ants in New Zealand. While some are native to the North and South Islands, some introduced species prefer the comforts of our homes.

The Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile), originally from South America, has increased in number since the Christchurch earthquake. As people moved, so did the ant. Argentine ants nest in soil. So, as people moved their pot plants, they moved the ant colonies with them. New Brighton, Mount Pleasant and Aranui have seen explosions in ant numbers.

Another introduced ant species, the White-footed house ant (Technomyrmex albipes) is usually only found inside houses in Christchurch as it’s too cold for them outside. Like any other ant, they search for water, warmth and the odd crumb in your kitchen to take back to their nest.

Darwin ants are another nuisance and are often mistaken for Argentine ants. Unlike the Argentine ant, they’re smaller and have a strong smell when squashed.

How to stop ants from coming inside our homes

Ants often enter homes after heavy rain because their nest has flooded. During long dry spells they may also enter looking for water.

Sealing cracks, keeping your home clean and wiping ant trails with vinegar can slow down ants. But the best way to stop ants from entering your home is by getting professional help.

Flick will tailor the treatment according to the ant species and infestation. They may need to apply a residual to target the worker ants from entering your home. Your technician may also leave a bait so the worker ants can return to the colony with the treatment. Residual granules target the ants long term and are left outside your home.

Wiping away ants in your kitchen is a short term fix. To get rid of ants once and for all you need professionals to treat the colonies with a long term solution.

Contact Flick Christchurch on 0800 101 969