Black Garden Ants (Lasius niger) are one of the most commonly seen ants around Perth homes and gardens. While they are not dangerous in the traditional sense — they don’t bite or sting — their persistent trailing behaviour and strong attraction to food make them one of the most frustrating household invaders.
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.
Black Garden Ants are often seen marching in long trails, especially toward food sources like sugary spills or pantry items. They’re small, fast-moving, and commonly mistaken for other household ants.
Size: 3 to 5 mm long
Colour: Shiny black or very dark brown
Body: Segmented body with a smooth, rounded thorax
Antennae: 12-segmented, slightly curved
Wings (reproductives only): Winged males and queens appear during the summer in large swarms
Their presence is usually linked to food sources — especially sugar, fruit, honey, or soft drink spills
Black Garden Ants are outdoor nesters that come indoors to forage. They’re highly organised and build extensive networks of trails between the nest and food sources.
Prefer sweet and sugary substances, but will eat proteins when needed
Establish trails along skirting boards, kitchen walls, and garden beds
Communicate through pheromone trails
Very active during warmer months
Can travel large distances from nest to food source
Soil and under garden pavers
Cracks in concrete, pathways, or driveways
Beneath foundations or patios
Sometimes in wall voids, especially near kitchens
Under pots, stones, or tree roots
Fun fact: A single Black Garden Ant colony can contain thousands of worker ants and last for several years.
Although these ants don’t pose direct health risks like stinging species, they are still considered a serious nuisance pest — especially when they gain access to kitchens and food storage areas.
Food contamination: These ants crawl across dirty areas and then onto food or preparation surfaces.
Persistent foraging trails: They follow scent trails repeatedly and will keep coming back unless the source is removed.
Unhygienic conditions: Their presence in sinks, food cupboards, or bathrooms makes them a hygiene concern.
Seasonal swarms: In late spring or summer, winged ants (reproductives) can swarm in large numbers — sometimes entering homes in masses.
Property aesthetics: Trails across walls or countertops can be unsightly, and outdoor nests may damage garden structure or paving.
Most people try to stop Black Garden Ants with store-bought surface sprays — but this only creates short-term relief and often drives ants to find new entry points.
| Problem | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Only visible ants are killed | The queen and nest remain active and continue producing workers |
| Wrong bait or repellent | Can cause colony avoidance or trail splitting |
| No nest access | Most nests are underground or hidden in inaccessible cracks |
| Trail disruption | Breaking the trail temporarily doesn’t eliminate the pheromone signal |
| Overuse of sprays | May kill helpful insects or cause chemical resistance |
Spraying a few ants may feel satisfying — but it’s not solving the root cause.
At Enviro Pest Control, we use a strategic and eco-conscious treatment plan to eliminate Black Garden Ants at the source and prevent reinfestation.
We trace the foraging paths back to their origin, locate the nest (or nests), and assess the size of the colony.
We apply species-specific, slow-acting baits that attract ants. They carry the bait back to the nest, eliminating the colony over time.
We treat perimeter walls, entry points, and nesting zones using safe, invisible insecticides that ants unknowingly spread within the colony.
We help you identify and seal entry points, improve cleanliness, and monitor activity to ensure long-term success.
Our treatments are:
Child & pet friendly
Safe for gardens and lawns
Long-lasting and effective
Black Garden Ants are opportunists — they follow food and water. You can discourage them with a few simple practices.
Wipe surfaces clean, especially sugary spills and crumbs
Store food in sealed containers
Don’t leave dirty dishes or open food overnight
Rinse recyclables (bottles, cans) before binning
Seal entry points around windows, doors, and foundations
Keep garden beds tidy and reduce excess mulch
Avoid overwatering plants near home foundations
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 perth 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.
If you’re tired of seeing ant trails across your kitchen, pantry, or patio — it’s time to call in Perth’s local experts. Black Garden Ants may be small, but when their numbers grow, they can feel impossible to manage alone.
Enviro Pest Control Perth
Enviro Pest Control Perth provides expert pest control services in Perth for homes and businesses.
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