Black Garden Ant
Small, but mighty - the army that never sleeps!
Physical characteristics
The black garden ant (Lasius niger) is 3-5 mm long, with dark brown to black coloration. Workers are wingless, while queens and males have wings during the mating flight. They have the characteristic thin 'waist' of ants between the thorax and abdomen.
Biology and behavior
These ants live in colonies that can reach up to 40,000 individuals. They prefer to nest in soil, under stones, or wooden objects. They are active day and night, feeding on nectar, insects, and secretions from aphids. Their mating flight usually occurs at the end of summer.
Harm
Although they do not cause direct damage to buildings, black garden ants can be annoying when they enter homes in search of food. They can contaminate food and create nuisances in the garden by farming aphid colonies.
What you can do
Seal entry points around windows and doors. Remove food sources by storing food products in airtight containers. Remove fallen leaves and woody debris from the garden. You can use natural repellents like cinnamon, lemon, or vinegar around entry points.
Professional control
Our specialists use an integrated approach to control black garden ants. This includes identifying and treating nests, using baits with slow-acting insecticides that ants carry back to the colony, and applying barrier treatments around the building. We also offer long-term prevention and monitoring strategies.