ANTS
Why should Ants be treated?
Ants will frequently enter property foraging for food, particularly sweet substances. While not a risk to human health, they can be present in sufficient numbers to cause a nuisance. The ants could be coming from several nests so locating one nest and destroying that will have a limited effect, Bait treatments are good as the ants will take it back to all nests affecting the area.
Preparation
Prior to treatment the affected areas should be cleaned, any cupboards emptied.
Treatment
I treat the infested and surrounding areas with insecticide sprays as well as the most modern insecticide baits available. All insecticides are biodegradable, almost odourless, non tainting & do not corrode or stain. The outside areas will be sprayed as the nests are usually outside but the insects may swarm or forage for food inside. A band of insecticide will be sprayed around windows, doors and walls to keep them out.
The ants walk over the treated areas and return to the nest touching other ants and larvae with their contaminated bodies which passes on enough insecticide to kill the nest(s). This may take up to 2 weeks (if treatment is carried out before April or in cold weather the activity may continue sporadically for up to 6 weeks), immediate improvement is always noticeable but do not wash down or vacuum treated areas for at least 3 weeks. Washing & vacuuming will break down the insecticides. The baits work differently and may take slightly longer to work but are very good at getting nests that cannot be reached or found.
What do I do afterwards?
Do not wash down or vacuum treated areas for at least 3 weeks. The insecticide will slowly degrade but will break down straight away if you wash or vacuum treated surfaces. If you touch the treated surface while still wet then wash off, do not let animals on the treated areas until dry. If a bait only option has been used then it is vital that worker ants are not disturbed. There will even be a burst of activity before the problem subsides. The workers must not be killed but allowed to return to the nest to carry the poison back to the nest to do its job.
Guarantee
This treatment is guaranteed (inside areas only) for one month after the treatment, and is only valid as long instructions and advice on hygiene and other matters are adhered to. Insecticide treatments will only work on clean surfaces.