Get in Touch

BLACK HOUSE-ANT

Ochetellus glaber (Mayr)

[Hymenoptera: Formicidae]

Adult: Worker black house-ants are 2.5-3.0 mm long. The body is elongate and black.

Head: The head is large and rounded with large mandibles at the apex. Antennae are long (longer than the head and prothorax), elbowed (geniculate) with an apical club. Eyes are small (less than half the size of the head).

Thorax: The thorax is without spines. All legs are similar in shape. Wings are absent in worker castes.

Abdomen: Cerci are absent.

Reproduction & Life-cycle:

The female reproductive caste (Queen) is initially winged, but wings are lost once mated. Queens lay hundreds of eggs within the nest. Several queens may be present in one colony. Males are produced throughout the year. Fertilised eggs become females, usually worker caste. Eggs not fertilised become males. Males are winged, mate once and die. Soldier and worker castes are female only. Eggs are white, oval and to 1 mm long. Eggs, larvae and pupae remain in the nest in cells. The queen initially feeds larvae, but workers take over the task as the colony matures.

Distribution:

Black house-ants are a minor urban pest in Australia. The species is endemic to Australia, probably Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia. Black house-ant has been introduced to New Zealand and the USA.

Pest Status:

Black house-ant is common in Australian citrus and is an important and frequent pest which feeds on honeydew and protects homopterous pests. The species nests in crevices and cavities such as rockeries, pavers and in brickwork. Black house-ant invades homes and creates problems in kitchens.

“It’s pretty hard having to manage an ant infestation on your own especially with work and family having their own demands. A1 Pest is always happy to take care of your pests for you and organize an appointment or quote over the phone. We’re not into pushy sales talk and won’t surprise you with hidden costs.” – Bruce Gow

Call us up on 0417 251 911 or contact us to discuss appointments, quotes or get some advice on a pest problem.

Pest Control

"We first used A1 Pest Control a few years ago when we noticed a few termites under a wine barrell in the rear yard of our home. We asked A1 Pest Control Sydney to pay us a visit to have a thorough termite inspection of our home. Bruce and his crew were on time, and very well presented. They explained how they would get rid of the termite infestation using a low toxic method and how their Thermal cameras worked, It worked very well and now we can sleep at night!"

Gary and Carol Harman

"We have been using Bruce form A1 Pest Control for over 4 years now. We bought our new house on the Hills Area, and moved in. our neighbours had problem with rodents and spiders so they are using A1 next door. I asked them if they could come over and treat our house too, as i didn't want to chase pest around our home. The service was not only effective, but carried out without any smelly fumes that we have experienced in our last house. They solved problem next door and I haven't seen a bug since."

Melissa Topper

"A1 Pest Control exterminators where great! I'm very happy to say that they solved a bed bug problem that I had after we had visitors from overseas visit us. I would recommend A1 Pest Control to anyone needing a safe and effective treatment of bed bugs"

Amanda Wu

"Bruce solved our commercial pest control problem in Castle Hill. Cockroaches were throughout our factory and they were completely gone after two visits from his exterminators. Just seeing one cockroach can lose us clients. I know now everyhing is ok, and our reputation is intact"

Raj Beri, Europa International

"Bruce from A1 Help us get rid of a bad spider infestation that have been troubling us for a while. It was done with low toxic spray and his crew even game me some cockroach and ant baits to get rid of them. I have recommended A1 to all my friends and family"

Carmel Thomas

Get in Touch