Summer 08 Expected To Herald Dramatic Increase In Ant Breeding And Domestic Infestations
Posted: Wednesday 14 May, 2008
Global climate change and the effects on the United Kingdom this summer are expected to herald a dramatic increase in the number of domestic ant infestations according to the manufacturer and distributor of Nippon, the household name brand of a range of products that have been specifically created to control ants and crawling insects in the home.
According to Met Office reports on May 1st, the 2008 summer temperatures will be warmer than average throughout June, July and August – the perfect conditions for Ant romance. The higher than average temperatures mean that common black ants are more active and more productive than in average summers, with the Queen able to lay up to 10 eggs per day. In addition, warmer winter months ensure the Ant colonies have a better chance of survival through to the next spring.
When the temperature reaches 25 degrees Centigrade, the Queen Ant can lay on average more than 10 eggs per day for sustained periods, with the result that well established nests can number up to 30,000 worker ants. ‘Marriage flights’ (the queens’ mating flights) take place from the end of June until the beginning of August, but are most numerous from mid-July until the beginning of August. These normally occur between 11.30am and 6.00pm on still, humid days that are often followed by rain storms. Any individual nest normally supplies only one gender of ant for the marriage flights (either females or males, but not both at the same time to avoid inbreeding). Once mated, females – the new queens – land and shed their wings and start to search for a suitable nest site. Whilst Common Black Ant Queens may mate more than once during the marriage flight, they do not need to mate again to continue laying fertile eggs for the rest of their lives.
One of the most frequent causes of ant infestations in the home is the ready availability of food sources, on work surfaces and in cupboards for example with the common black ant typically foraging for sweet sugary foods. Homeowners should be wary of leaving out ant favourites that include ripe or rotting fruits, particularly those with damaged skins, biscuit crumbs, dribbles from sauces/fruit squash/fizzy drinks bottles and jams or preserves etc.
David Senior, Technical Manager for Nippon said: “We are all now becoming increasingly aware of the bigger picture of climate change and taking steps to minimise our impact on the planet, but it is all too easy to miss the day to day problems. Whilst the Common Black Ant does not cause any serious health risks, they can be a significant nuisance pest and with climate change set to continue, unless we take steps to control Ant breeding, the problem will continue to grow”
Nippon Ant Killer Liquid is the most effective way of eradicating an infestation of ants and is sold in most garden centres, high street stores, larger chemists and hardware shops. Ants are first attracted to the product thinking that it is a sugary food source that is then in turn returned to the nest were it is fed to the Queen Ant and other workers. Once the Queen dies, the colony will naturally collapse.
For more information regarding Nippon, or to find your nearest stockist please call 01530 510060 or visit www.vitax.co.uk
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About Nippon:
Nippon products have been specifically created for domestic use in the control of ants and crawling insects and are safe to use in and around the home and around children and pets. Manufactured in the UK since 1962, and named after the stamp on the sides of the crates which contained the original insect remedies imported from Japan, the Nippon brand dates back to the 1930’s and is one of longest established domestic pest control brands in the UK. The products are powerful and highly efficient ant and crawling insect killers, lasting up to six months for indoor and outdoor use. The Nippon range offers powders, liquids, sprays, traps which are ideal for use in and around the home. The manufacturer and distributor of Nippon believes ants are a nuisance rather than a health hazard especially when interfering adversely with domestic life, particularly in domestic food preparation areas.
