Size
Workers 4 mm, Queen up to 10 mm
Colour
Black
Where you'll find them
Widely distributed in Britain. They are commonly found in gardens, but will enter buildings to forage for food. They may set up satellite nests inside a property, such as in cavity walls or beneath floors, but the main colony typically remains outside.
Biology
Mating takes place in flight and occurs between July and September. After mating the male ant dies and the females shed their wings and find shelter over winter. The females will produce eggs from late spring.
Food
Black Ants feed on a wide variety of foods including sweet substances, but will also feed on proteins.
What you can do
Control of these insects is only required when they are entering or living in building structures. The first approach should be to seal up any entry points in the building to precent ants gaining access to the property. Make sure that sugary foods are kept in sealed containers and all food and drink spillages are cleaned up thoroughly as quickly as possible. Once a food source is located, worker ants will leave a chemical trail that other ants will follow.
If the problem persists, an insecticidal gel bait treatment may be required. Worker ants take the bait back to the nest and this kills the queen and the other ants in the nest.