Mating season comes earlier than Ant-icipated
29 June, 2009
Hotter temperatures in May and June have caused the ant season to come early. The combination of warmer weather and increased rainfall has affected soil humidity levels, encouraging Ants to come out and mate earlier than the usual July mating season.
Rentokil has witnessed a 42% rise in ant related enquires since March, as people report more sightings of flying ants (winged reproductive male and female species) and suffer from ant infestations in their homes and gardens. Prior to this year, the ant mating season has commonly occurred mid July for the last ten years, however the warmer temperatures reported in May and June have affected mating behaviours.
Savvas Othon, Technical Director at Rentokil Pest Control, explains, “The recent hot weather has provided the perfect mating conditions for ants so it’s not surprising more flying ants are being seen and people are finding infestations in their homes and gardens much earlier than expected. Whilst you can take a DIY approach to tackling the problem, effective control requires professional help to prevent recurrence. Being able to effectively stop ants entering the property by sealing access points such as cracks and crevices in doors, and understanding the behaviour of the species will help stop the pests becoming a nuisance as the weather continues to get warmer.”
The tell-tale signs of ant activity are sightings of large groups of the insect, ant pathways leading to or from a property and small heaps of earth or dirt, which is often indicative of nest sites. Most ants enter properties looking for food as they are attracted by sweet and sticky substances. The insects can infest and contaminate foodstuffs and sterile areas, so early detection of the pest and professional help in proofing garden and property access points is important when controlling infestations.
Rentokil advice on how to "Ant-proof" your home
Always cover food – you never know where an ant has been before it crawls across your food
Clean food and liquid spills immediately
Clean food debris from under and behind kitchen appliances
Make sure all rubbish bins are tightly sealed
Keep compost piles enclosed and covered
Clear pet food as soon as your pet has finished eating