Wellington's Local Expert Ant Control Team
Here at Total Pest Control, we deal with ants in Wellington daily. We offer tailored pest control solutions based on your property’s access, infestation severity, your requirements, and the ever-changing Wellington weather. Read below about our process, treatments, and common New Zealand ants. For residental propreties our treatments are $295+GST
Our Process For Ant Control
Inspection
Get in Touch – Simply fill out our online form or give us a call. One of our technicians will contact you to discuss options and provide a quote ($295 + GST for any residential property). For commercial properties, please contact us directly. We’ll then book a treatment time that suits you.
Site Arrival – We’ll arrive at your property, greet you, and ask you to explain the situation in detail. Show us where you’re seeing ants, how many, their colour, and any other observations.
Inspection – We’ll carry out a full inspection of your property, including:
- All rooms
- Subfloor and ceiling spaces
- Exterior areas
- Food storage and waste management
From this, we’ll identify how ants are entering your property, why, and where the nest is located. We’ll then explain our plan of action.
Treatment
Treatment – After the inspection, our technician will select the most effective treatment method for your situation (see treatment options below). We’ll explain the process to ensure your concerns are addressed before starting.
Some Ant Treatments to Expect
Exterior Barrier Spray – Spraying exterior walls, paths, and ant trails with an all-weather insecticide that lasts up to three months. Ants pick up the insecticide on contact and eventually die.
Baiting – Placing small, secure bait stations in out-of-reach areas with commercial-grade bait suitable for the ant species on your property. Ants take the bait back to the nest, spreading it through the colony with a delayed killing effect.
Dusting – Applying insecticidal dust in cracks and crevices they carry it back to the nest, helping to eliminate the colony.
Pest Proofing – Identifying entry points during the inspection. After treatment, we can provide a pest-proofing quote to seal these access points and prevent future infestations. More about pest proofing & prices here
Inside Spraying – In severe cases, we may need to spray inside the property. This works like the exterior barrier spray but is applied to surfaces such as skirting boards and floors. Health and safety procedures are explained before starting.
Nest Removal – If the nest is found during inspection, we remove it on-site. Indoor nests may be vacuumed with a portable unit, and outdoor nests can be treated with targeted sprays.
Maintenance – While we cannot remove ants permanently, ongoing maintenance keeps infestations under control. Our standard maintenance includes:
- Exterior barrier sprays
- Baiting
- Inspections every 3 months
Maintenance
Maintenance – Unfortunately, ants cannot be eradicated permanently. Our treatments are warranted for up to 3 months, though effects may last longer. We recommend a maintenance plan to keep ants under control.
Common Ants We Deal With in Wellington
Argentine Ant
- Highly aggressive and territorial, Argentine ants are a significant nuisance.
- They can bite humans, leaving an itchy spot, but their true problem is their ability to form supercolonies.
- These ants are relatively large, with pale legs, a light brown abdomen, and a brown head and body.
The Argentine Ant
Black House Ant
- The most common ant found indoors, these tiny black ants are scavengers.
- They swarm leftovers and any food left out, often appearing in large numbers.
- Black house ants can spread salmonella, so controlling them is essential for food safety.
Infestation of Black House Ants
Fire Ant
- Fire ants are red with black eyes and can grow up to 5mm tall.
- They build nests with entrance mounds that can reach 400mm in height.
- While not widespread in New Zealand, they can be problematic if they invade.
Single Fire Ant
Ants are remarkable creatures, making up an incredible 20% of the Earth’s biomass. With an estimated population of 20 quadrillion ants—equivalent to 2.5 million ants per person—it’s no wonder they’re so common in our daily lives. Almost everyone has had an encounter with ants, whether it’s a swarm of tiny black ants feasting on leftover food or a stray ant crawling up your leg while you’re out in the garden. If you have a backyard or garden, you almost certainly have ants nearby.
Fortunately, in New Zealand, we don’t have any ants that pose a significant risk to humans, unlike some of the nastier species found overseas. However, some ants can still be a nuisance, especially indoors.