Household Ants in Malaysia
(JPS NA & CY Lee)Black garden ant: Facts, Identification & Control

Black Garden Ant
Lasius niger
Description:
Worker phenotype 3–5 mm long, colour dark brown almost black
Nest building Nests underground, commonly under stones, but also in rotten wood Nutrition Nectar, small insects, seeds, will farm aphids
Habit:
• Swarming characteristics – mating between queens and fertile males takes place on the wing mid to late summer. Males perish after mating.
• Nest locations – often outdoors in soil and below paving slabs on the sunny side of buildings. Nest locations can be identified by the presence of finely powdered soil around nest exit holes.
As pests:
In the garden
The ants will also eat ripe fruits, especially fruits like strawberries that lack a thick protective skin. Often they can be found on discarded chewing gum. Lasius niger also feed on insects and spiders, and other small invertebrates.
In the home
Pest control:
Control involves application of insecticides in various forms including dusts and liquids. The dusts are injected directly into galleries and voids where the ants are living.The liquids are applied in areas where foraging ants are likely to pick the material up and spread the poison to the colony upon returning.
