What we deal with
The Argentine ant, Linepithema humile, is the big one in the Western Cape. It is an invasive species that forms enormous linked colonies, pushes out local ants and disrupts the seed dispersal that many fynbos plants rely on. The brown house ant, Pheidole megacephala, is easy to spot because its soldiers have oversized heads, and it often nests under paving and in pot plants. Pugnacious ants (Anoplolepis species) are fast, aggressive outdoor ants that bite and tend to swarm over anything that disturbs them. Cocktail ants (Crematogaster species) hold their abdomens up when alarmed and nest in wood and wall cavities, and the tiny pharaoh ant shows up in hospitals, flats and other warm buildings with central heating.
Signs to look for
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
Why it matters: Most ants in Cape Town do not cause serious health problems, but they do walk over bins, drains and pet waste before they walk over your food. Ants nesting in electrical boxes and DB boards can short out switches and damage equipment. In the garden, Argentine ants protect aphids and scale insects from their natural enemies, which damages roses, citrus and vegetables. For food businesses, ants in a display fridge or prep area are a hygiene complaint waiting to happen.
How we treat it
Our first choice for ants is bait, because it uses the colony's own behaviour against it. Worker ants carry slow-acting gel or granular bait back to the nest and feed it to the queen and larvae, so the whole colony declines over a week or two. Bait stations are used around the outside of the house where pets and children are around. Where the nest can be found, such as under paving or at the base of a wall, we treat it directly. A residual barrier spray is added at entry points only if the infestation is heavy, and never on top of fresh bait.
- Identify the ant
Species matters, because some ants prefer sugar and others prefer protein or grease. We match the bait to what they are eating.
- Follow the trail
The technician follows the ants outside or into the wall to find the nest or the main entry point.
- Place the bait
Gel and granular baits go along trails and near nests, with tamper-resistant stations where pets and kids are around.
- Treat nests and entry points
Visible nests under paving or in walls are treated directly, and entry points get a targeted barrier if needed.
- Leave the trail alone
We ask you not to wipe or spray the ants feeding on bait for a few days, so they can carry it home.
- Report and recommendations
You get a post-treatment report and practical tips on sealing gaps and removing food and water sources.
Things most people don't know
The biggest myth about ants is that you need to kill every one you see. The workers on the counter are your delivery service; feed them the right bait and they carry it to the queen for you.
When a technician arrives for an ant job, the first thing they check is where the trail goes outside. Nine times out of ten the nest is under paving, in a planter box or at the base of an outside wall.
Argentine ants are one of the reasons fynbos ecosystems are under pressure in the Western Cape. They displace native ants that bury seeds, so controlling them on your property does a small bit of good beyond the kitchen.
When it peaks in Cape Town
Ant activity climbs from spring and peaks in the hot, dry summer when colonies are large and water is scarce, so they come indoors looking for it. The first big rains of autumn and winter flood nests and drive ants inside in sudden numbers. Winged ants usually swarm on warm, humid days after rain.
DIY or call a professional?
Honestly, for one trail in the kitchen, a decent shop-bought ant bait is worth trying first. The mistake people make is spraying the trail as well, which kills the workers carrying the bait home. If the ants are coming from several directions or the bait is being ignored, a professional needs to identify the species and the nest.
What affects the price
The price depends on the species, how many colonies are involved and how far they have spread through the house and garden. A single kitchen trail from one nest is a smaller job than Argentine ants coming in from every side of a large property. Access to nests under paving or in walls, and whether a follow-up visit is needed, are also factored into the free quote.
Preventing it coming back
- Wipe sugary spills and sticky jars straight away, especially honey, jam and cooldrink bottles.
- Keep pet food in a sealed container and pick up bowls once your animals have eaten.
- Trim plants, creepers and tree branches so they do not touch the house, as ants use them as bridges.
- Fill gaps in paving and seal cracks along the base of walls and around window frames.
- Fix dripping outside taps and irrigation leaks, as ants need water in the hot summer months.
- Control aphids and scale on garden plants, because ants farm them for honeydew and will defend them.
Frequently asked questions
Why do the ants seem to increase after the bait goes down?
That is usually a good sign. The bait recruits more workers to feed and carry it back to the nest, and numbers should drop clearly within one to two weeks.
Can you get rid of Argentine ants permanently?
Not across a whole neighbourhood, because their colonies are linked over large areas. We can knock them back hard on your property and make it much less attractive for them to return.
Are ant baits safe with dogs and cats?
We place baits in cracks and inside tamper-resistant stations wherever pets have access. The amounts used are small, but tell us about your animals so we can plan placements.
Do ants damage houses?
Most Cape Town ants do not damage timber the way termites do. They can damage electrical fittings and push sand out from under paving, which may cause it to sink.
What are the flying ants in my house?
They are winged males and new queens leaving the nest to mate, usually after rain. Seeing them indoors means there is likely a nest inside the walls or under the floor nearby.
How long does ant treatment take to work?
Bait treatments usually show a big drop within a week and full control within about two weeks. Direct nest treatments work faster, but are only possible when the nest can be reached.
Ant Control by area
We cover all of these suburbs from our base in Brackenfell. Pick yours for local advice.
