There are basically several species of brown and black ants. Some have a preference for sweet food while others seek out meat. They come inside seeking food and water. Surface sprays and broad-scale spraying around the house will not solve ant problems because only a small number of ants compared to the size of the colony will be killed.

Low-hazard ant management:

• Clean up food scraps and utensils
• Keep food items such as biscuits and cakes in air tight sealed containers
• Store jam, sugar, honey, sweet sauces, cough syrups in the fridge
• Wipe food containers before storage
• Clean pet bowls immediately after use or create a ‘moat’ by placing the food bowl inside a larger bowl with water
• Put out compost and wrappers with food scraps immediately into outside bins
• Find out how ants are getting inside by following trails back to where they enter and seal entry points
• Use natural oils like eucalyptus and lavender as repellents and to disrupt ant trails
• If pot plants become home to an ant colony, submerge pot in a bucket of water for several hours
• If ant baits* are used ensure you follow directions and keep away from children and pets

*Ant baits

Using baits may be useful where there is a persistent and large problem because ants take the insecticide back to the nest, which can kill the entire nest. Baits generally contain an attractant and insecticide and should be in a childproof container.