Also known as bulldog or jumper ants, this specific type of ants from the Myrmecia genus are known to be quite aggressive and, therefore, dangerous. They are big in size and commonly spotted around the coastal parts of Australia.
Getting rid of bull ants and destroying their nests can be a hard and risky business, as their stings are venomous and could cause Anaphylactic shock. They can even be lethal, in case of numerous stings. Therefore, whenever you’re dealing with these insects, it’s best to be extra cautious and know as much about them as possible.
Destroying a bull ant nest can be done in a couple of different ways, all of which are somewhat effective. Let’s see how you should proceed if you decide to fix the problem on your own:
The nest is most often located in soil; however, it can be located in rotten wood and under rocks as well. Nests are simple at first but grow in size as the colony expands. This makes them hard to notice at the beginning of the infestation. Big bull ant nests are large mounds of dirt with entry openings at the top.
If the bulldog ants feel their habitat is threatened, they will attack and sting for sure. And you definitely don’t want that since multiple stings can be life-threatening. As mentioned before, you need to pick your extermination method well, which leads us to the next important step.
Choosing the proper pest control method to destroy the bulldog ant colony and their nest is of utmost importance in order to get rid of them efficiently. Use baits that are specifically made for bull ants. Unlike sprays, baits are preferred for DIY pest control, as the worker ants will eat them and bring them to the queen. This ensures you don’t get in immediate proximity to the nest.
To make things easier for you, we have listed some DIY pest control methods you can try to get rid of bull ants. You will also find info on what to expect and tips on what to avoid for your safety. Here we go!
Contact professional pest controllers who can safely destroy the colony and the bull ants’ nest.
Here are a few details you can look for in order to tell a bull ant apart:
(Myrmecia)
There are both winged and wingless bull ants, as every type has its place in the colony. Normally, the wings help with mating and creating new colonies.
This ant species is known to be quite smart. Bulldog ants attack their prey from the back and, unlike other ants, they work individually. Some of them can even jump, if necessary. Bulldog ants use smells, as well as touch to speak to each other. Female ants are workers, while males are soldiers that guard the nest.
Bull ant nests are usually located underground in the soil. Myrmecia gulosa nests can be found in debris, in your backyard, and even beneath your house. A single bull ant queen can build 14 different colonies, which allows the nest to expand deep underground, making it even harder for you to get rid of the ants completely.
The bigger the bull ant colony, the bigger the outside mound of dirt will be, however, keep in mind that the nest will be much deeper underground.
The bull ant sting is dangerous to humans as it can cause an anaphylactic reaction. As these ants can sting multiple times, a severe attack can lead to death, as anaphylactic shock can be lethal.
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I’ve got a bull-ant nest close to my house in Kalgoorlie, so they may no longer be restricted to coastal areas.
It could be that they/queen has hitch hiked inland.
I plan to alert the council as it would be good to stop an invasion if possible.