Ant Control in Sydney

Ants are covered by my general pest treatment, along with spiders and large cockroaches. Before you book, it's worth making sure they are ants. Termites get mistaken for ants all the time, and they're a very different problem.

Ants or termites?

• The debris. Ant frass is fine, black and dusty. Termite workings are solid brown mud. More on frass.
• The flying ones. A flying ant has elbowed antennae, a pinched waist, and front wings longer than the back wings. A flying termite has straight, bead-like antennae, a thick waist, and four equal wings clearly longer than the body. More on flying ants vs flying termites.
• Where they are. Ants come and go in the open, in trails. Termites stay hidden in mud and timber.

If it looks like termites, don't spray. Book a termite inspection instead. If you're not sure, send me a photo.

Common ant problems in Sydney homes

These are the ones people usually call about.

• Trails in the kitchen. A line of small ants heading for food, sugar or the pet bowl, often after rain or in warm weather.
• Ants coming up through gaps. Along the skirting, around window frames, or through cracks in the tiles.
• Nests in the garden and paving. Little mounds of sand between pavers, or along the edge of paths and driveways.
• Ants in the bathroom or laundry, usually following water.
• Flying ants coming out in numbers on a warm, humid day. That's a nest sending out new queens.

The general treatment

Ants are covered by a general pest treatment.

General pest treatments come with a 6-month guarantee covering cockroaches, spiders and ants.

On the day, I spray along the exterior walls and around the doors and windows, where ants find their way in, and along all the skirting boards inside.

More on what's covered on my pest control page.

Before I arrive

• Don't spray the trails with a supermarket can in the days before. It scatters the ants and makes it harder to see where they're coming from.
• Note where you've seen them and when, so I can find where they're getting in.
• Pets: keep them away from the spray while it dries. Taking them for a walk for an hour is easiest.
• Washing: don't hang any on the line.
• Dog bowls: bring them inside, away from the areas being sprayed.
• Skirting boards: clear anything stacked against them so I can get to them.

Common questions

How much does ant control cost?
Ants are covered by my general pest treatment: within 7 km of Earlwood it's $270 single storey or $300 two storey. Beyond 7 km, add $50 to each.

How do I tell ants from termites?
Ant frass is fine, black and dusty; termite workings are solid brown mud. Flying ants have elbowed antennae, a pinched waist and front wings longer than the back.

Is there a guarantee?
General pest treatments come with a 6-month guarantee covering cockroaches, spiders and ants.

Are flying ants a sign of termites?
No, but they're easy to mix up with flying termites. Check the antennae, waist and wings, or send me a photo.