Every summer, millions of London homes experience ant invasions. The good news is that ants are generally not a health hazard. The bad news is that an ant trail inside your home indicates a colony nearby and, without the right approach, the problem will continue until conditions change.
Identifying the Species
The most common species found indoors in London are:
- Black garden ant (Lasius niger) — the small black ant seen in kitchens during summer. Colonies nest outdoors in lawns and under paving. - Pharaoh ant (Monomorium pharaonis) — a small amber-coloured ant found mainly in heated buildings such as hospitals, care homes and large residential blocks. A serious hygiene pest. - Ghost ant (Tapinoma melanocephalum) — increasingly common in London flats, particularly those with underfloor heating.
Why Ants Enter Your Home
Ants forage for food and water. The workers entering your kitchen are scouts following pheromone trails laid by earlier scouts who found a food source. They will exploit any gap in window frames, door seals, wall junctions and pipework.
What Works — and What Does Not
Aerosol sprays kill foraging workers but do not destroy the colony or the queen. The trail quickly re-establishes. Ant bait gels are far more effective: workers carry the toxic bait back to the colony and share it with the queen and larvae, killing the nest from within.
Apply gel bait directly to the ant trail, not across it. Do not spray insecticide near the bait as it will deter the ants from taking it. Keep food sources sealed and surfaces clean to remove competing attractants.
Pharaoh Ants Require Professional Treatment
Pharaoh ants are a special case. They form multiple queens and satellite colonies and will scatter if treated with sprays — a phenomenon called "budding" that makes the infestation dramatically worse. Only professional gel baiting by a trained technician will successfully eliminate a Pharaoh ant infestation.
Prevention
- Seal gaps around pipes, cables and window frames with silicone sealant - Store sweet foods in airtight containers - Clean up spills immediately, particularly sugary drinks - Keep recycling bins sealed and clean
For persistent ant problems or suspected Pharaoh ant infestations, contact Pest Protect on 0208 945 7231 for a professional assessment.
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