ANT INVASION
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ANT invasions in Irish homes are on the rise due to the warmest winter on record, it has been revealed.
The insects typically come out in the summer but pest controller Rentokil has seen a massive increase in the number call-outs.
There has been a full 35% rise in calls for help in January and February 2019, compared to a year ago.
Rentokil’s Richard Faulkner said the type of ants that are most often seen in homes are the black garden variety.
He added: “Because we’ve had milder weather the ants are becoming a lot more active.
“And then they come into our homes because they’re out foraging for food.”
In the first two months of the year, Dublin accounted for 28% of all call-outs for Rentokil.
Cork was next at 18% while Kerry accounted for 16%.
Kildare was also one of the counties most affected by the miniature armies with 8% of alerts.
Once active, ants typically travel far and wide in search of food and once they enter your home they like to leave a scent so that other ants can follow suit.
Their pheromone trails attract other ants, who then cluster in the area.
This means a small problem can quickly grow into a much larger one.
Thankfully, ants are more of a nuisance than a health hazard.
But Rentokil believes the invasion could get worse. Met Eireann reported this winter as the hottest on record for two-thirds of the weather stations across Ireland.
And the pest controller predicts that as Irish winters grow warmer as a result of climate change, there will be further increases in call-outs for infestations of warm weather pests.
Mr Faulkner, who has worked for Rentokil for 20 years, said: “W i t h climate
chan ge we’re not getting prolonged cold spells and everything is becoming a problem 12 months of the year.
“Telltale signs ants have invaded your home or garden include small piles of earth around holes in soil and at the base of exterior walls, which indicate their nests.” A number of steps can be taken to keep the miniature pests away including:
■ Clearing up spilled food and liquids immediately, sweeping up any crumbs from under kitchen appliances and storing food in airtight containers
■ Ensure all dishes are quickly washed or put in the dishwasher, and
■ Sealing any cracks around doors and window frames and ensuring rubbish and compost bins are closed tightly to help keep the ants at bay.