Although Ants are an irritant when they come in to the Premises the most common species, the Garden Ant, is not thought to carry disease. However, as it is impossible to know where the Ants were last foraging for food, it is sensible to take steps to prevent them entering your Premises and food cupboards. Smaller species like the Pharaoh's Ant however have been reported in hospitals as mechanical vectors for disease causing pathogens, such as salmonella, pseudomonas and staphylococcus.

Types of Ant Problem There are thousands of different Ant species; the most common ones in India are: Carpenter Ant (Camponotus pennsylvanicus) Carpenter Ants – Worker Ants are 1/4" long. These Ants are common intruders into our Premises, especially during the annual monsoons and in summers. Carpenter Ant colonies are often hidden inside of damp wood. They are mostly active at night and are very attracted by sweet and greasy substances inside the Premises. When discovered they first stop moving and then try to escape. Carpenter Ants do not sting and only rarely bite. Pharoah's Ants – Worker Ants are only 1.5 -2mm long and the Queen is 4 - 6mm long. Both workers and the Queen are a yellow-brown colour.

Pharaoh's Ants require only very small spaces for their nests: Colonies have been found in between paper sheets. Because of their small size these Ants can easily enter your Premises and contaminate the foodstuffs. This Ant's diet is largely of decomposing foodstuffs and it carries harmful germs picked up from where it has been feeding. Red Fire Ants - Red Weaver Ants are common in gardens and parks in India. They are occasional intruders into our Premises.

Red Weaver Ant colonies build their nests in trees, connecting leaves with silk. Red Ants do not sting, but they have a very painful bite, which is often worsened by chemicals which they emit when aggravated. They commonly enter Premises when in the search for food, being mainly attracted to sweet and sugary substances.