Ants

Garden/ Black (Lasius niger), Red (Myrmica rubra), Pharaohs (Monomorium pharaonis) and Argentine (Linepithema humile) are all common visitors to UK gardens and properties.

Ants normally build nests underground during the spring, which may result in a large colony by the summertime.  Large colonies can become social pests and are often found in kitchens, where they are attracted to sweet foods or conservatories and hallways that connect to the outside.

Pharaoh ants are much smaller than the common black ant; they are found inside and often infest hospitals, where they are capable of spreading infections.