Ants are one of the most widespread and persistent pests across Perth homes and commercial spaces. While many may seem harmless at first, some species can cause serious issues — from food contamination to structural damage and painful bites.
Understanding the types of ants in Perth, how they behave, and the best ways to manage them is crucial to protecting your space long-term. Whether it’s the aggressive Bull Ant or the elusive Singapore Ant, early detection and informed action are key.
If you’re dealing with an infestation, don’t wait — our experts in ant control Perth are ready to help. Book a call now to get professional advice and a tailored solution.
Let’s take a closer look at the 6 most common species you’ll encounter in Western Australia:
Appearance: Small (2.2–2.8mm), light to dark brown
Behaviour: Form massive supercolonies; aggressive toward other ants
Where they nest: In soil, under buildings, around pipes
Risks: Rapid infestation; hard to eliminate without full treatment
Appearance: Shiny black; 3–5mm
Behaviour: Follows long foraging trails
Where they nest: Garden beds, driveways, brickwork
Risks: Enter homes in search of sugar and water
Appearance: Large (up to 40mm), red or black with large jaws
Behaviour: Extremely aggressive and territorial
Where they nest: Soil, under logs, near trees
Risks: Painful stings; potential allergic reactions
Appearance: Large, black or reddish; 6–12mm
Behaviour: Tunnel through damp wood
Where they nest: Inside wooden beams, decks, wall voids
Risks: Structural timber damage
Appearance: Light brown; small size
Behaviour: Nest under pavers and slabs
Where they nest: In soil, under driveways, lawns
Risks: Damage paved areas; enter homes in large numbers
Appearance: Small, yellow-brown
Behaviour: Attracted to electricity
Where they nest: Inside appliances, power boards
Risks: Short circuits and electrical damage
Ant infestations often start small and go unnoticed — until the colony grows and ants become a daily problem. Early detection is key to stopping them before they spread.
Ant trails: Long lines of ants moving between food sources and entry points are the most obvious sign. You’ll often see them in kitchens, bathrooms, or along walls and skirting boards.
Ants emerging from cracks and crevices: If ants are coming out of small gaps in walls, flooring, or tiles, this could indicate a nest inside the structure.
Soil mounds or disturbed garden areas: Some ants, like Coastal Brown Ants, build small mounds in lawns or garden beds. These can also appear under pavers or concrete edges.
Winged ants (swarmers): If you notice flying ants around windows or light fixtures, this is a strong indication of a mature colony that is reproducing.
Ants in food containers or pantries: Ants are attracted to sugary and greasy foods. Finding them inside your food storage areas is a clear warning sign.
⚠️ Important: Spraying visible ants may seem effective but only kills a small fraction of the colony. Unless the queen and nest are eliminated, ants will continue to return.
Ants are highly adaptable and can build nests in a wide range of hidden and hard-to-reach places. Understanding their preferred nesting locations helps in proper detection and treatment.
Wall voids and ceiling cavities: Many ant species nest in quiet, undisturbed indoor spaces, making them difficult to detect without professional inspection.
Under paving stones and driveways: Soil-nesting ants like Coastal Brown Ants thrive under warm, dry surfaces like pavers and footpaths.
Beneath kitchen floors and cabinetry: Kitchens are a high-risk zone due to food availability and water leaks. Ants often nest near or under cupboards.
In gardens, tree stumps, and mulch: Bull Ants and Argentine Ants frequently build outdoor nests, especially in landscaped or mulched areas.
Inside electrical devices: Singapore Ants are notorious for nesting in warm electronic equipment, including power outlets, junction boxes, and appliances.
Ants aren’t just annoying — they can also bring real threats to your property, hygiene, and health, depending on the species.
Hygiene Hazards: Ants walk through garbage, drains, and contaminated areas, then invade kitchens and pantries, spreading bacteria on countertops and food.
Structural Threats: Carpenter ants don’t eat wood like termites but excavate it for nesting, which can weaken wooden beams, walls, or decks.
Painful Bites and Stings: Bull Ants and other aggressive species can deliver painful stings, potentially triggering allergic reactions in children or pets.
Persistent and Large Colonies: Once ants establish a colony, it can quickly grow to thousands — and some species form multiple queens, making control even harder.
Many homeowners try to treat ant problems with store-bought sprays or baits, only to see the ants return — often worse than before.
| Problem | Why DIY Doesn’t Work |
|---|---|
| Killing visible ants | You’re only eliminating the surface-level workers — the queen and nest remain untouched |
| Using the wrong bait/spray | Some baits repel rather than attract; wrong formulations may cause colony splitting |
| Misidentifying the species | Each ant species requires a different treatment based on nesting and feeding behaviour |
| No access to the nest | Colonies are hidden deep inside walls, soil, or appliances — hard to reach without tools |
In some cases, incorrect treatment leads to “colony budding” — when the main colony splits into multiple smaller nests, spreading the problem further.
Ants operate with incredible coordination, driven by chemical communication and colony hierarchy. Knowing how they function can help you understand how infestations spread — and why fast action is essential.
Pheromone trails: Ants release chemical signals to mark paths to food sources — which is why you often see them marching in a line.
Worker ants: These foragers are responsible for collecting food, scouting new nest sites, and defending the colony.
Queens and reproduction: Most colonies have one or more queens, which can lay thousands of eggs. Without removing the queen, the colony continues to thrive.
Hidden nests: Ants prefer warm, dark, and secluded areas. You may not see the actual nest unless it’s disturbed.
Colony growth: A single queen can establish a colony of thousands in just a few months, especially in warm climates like Perth.
Ant prevention is just as important as ant control. By following simple daily habits, you can significantly reduce the risk of attracting ants into your home or business.
Seal gaps around windows, doors, pipes, and foundation cracks
Store food in airtight containers, especially sugar and cereal
Clean countertops and vacuum crumbs from floors daily
Fix dripping taps and plumbing leaks — ants need water too
Trim overhanging branches or shrubs touching your walls
Remove pet food bowls at night
Take out rubbish regularly and clean bins inside and out
Wash dishes promptly and avoid leaving them in the sink overnight
If you begin to notice ants around your property, avoid rushing into treatment without a plan. Taking the right first steps can help professionals resolve the issue more efficiently.
Avoid spraying immediately
Sprays may kill workers but cause the colony to relocate or split.
Observe and track
Watch where the ants are coming from and going to — it often leads back to the nest or food source.
Take photos if possible
A clear photo helps with species identification and treatment selection.
Contact a pest control professional
Expert inspection ensures the right strategy based on species, location, and infestation level.
We believe the best pest control starts with knowledge and prevention. Here’s how we approach it:
We don’t offer cookie-cutter advice — every species requires a unique understanding. We educate Perth residents about identifying, tracking, and preventing infestations for each species before any treatment begins.
We’re not just pest control service providers — we’re pest education advocates.
Our goal is to help Perth locals understand the root of their pest problems so they can make informed decisions. We don’t upsell or overpromise — just real expertise backed by results.
Enviro Pest Control Perth
Enviro Pest Control Perth provides expert pest control services in Perth for homes and businesses.
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