Ant Control London

Ants are a persistent nuisance in London properties and one of the most frequently reported pest problems during the summer months. The black garden ant (Lasius niger) is by far the most common species, nesting in garden borders, under paving, and in cavity walls. Flying ant day — when large numbers of winged ants take flight simultaneously — is an annual event in London that generates a surge in pest control calls.

However, it is the pharaoh ant (Monomorium pharaonis) that presents a far more serious challenge, particularly in London’s hospitals, care homes, hotels, and multi-occupancy residential buildings. Pharaoh ants are a tropical species that thrives in the warm, centrally heated environments found year-round in these buildings. They are tiny (1.5–2 mm), nest deep within heated wall cavities and service ducts, and — critically — if treated incorrectly with standard ant sprays or powders, they undergo a process called “budding” where the colony splits into multiple new colonies, dramatically worsening the infestation. Pharaoh ant infestations require specialist treatment using bait products.

Signs You Have an Ant Problem

Ant trails: Lines of ants moving in procession from an entry point to a food source — commonly along worktops, floor junctions, or through gaps around pipes
Flying ants: A sudden mass emergence of winged ants from the garden, under paving, or from within wall or floor voids
Nest sites: Fine soil displaced around paving edges, under brickwork, or in lawn areas indicating underground nesting
Tiny ants indoors (year-round): Small pale ants (1–2 mm) in kitchens or bathrooms in winter or early spring almost certainly indicate pharaoh ants rather than garden ants
Satellite nests: Multiple separate ant trails from different locations within the same building, suggesting a large colony with multiple nest sites

Treatment Process

Species identification: Correct identification is critical before treatment. Treating pharaoh ants with standard insecticides causes budding and makes the problem significantly worse. Our technician identifies the species before recommending any treatment.
Treatment (garden ants): We apply residual insecticide to the nest site(s) and ant trails, and if possible directly into the nest entrance. For active invasions, perimeter treatment around the property prevents re-entry.
Treatment (pharaoh ants): We use specially formulated protein and sweet bait products that are carried back to the nest and eliminate the entire colony including the queen. This takes longer than spray treatment but is the only effective solution. Multiple bait placements are required and we monitor progress over 2–3 weeks.
Proofing advice: We advise on sealing entry points — gaps around pipework, door thresholds, and external cracks — and on good housekeeping practices to reduce food attractants.

Why Choose London Pest Control Team?

We have specific expertise in pharaoh ant control — a genuine specialist skill that requires the right products and approach. Incorrect treatment by inexperienced operators frequently makes pharaoh ant infestations worse and more expensive to resolve. Our BPCA-accredited technicians understand the biology of this species and use the correct bait programmes.

For garden ant infestations, we offer swift, effective treatment that typically resolves the problem in a single visit. We serve Wandsworth, Lambeth, Ealing, and all 33 London boroughs.

Ant Control Pricing in London

Garden ant treatment is one of the most straightforward pest control services and is often resolved in a single visit. Pharaoh ant programmes require more time and visits.

Treatment	Price Range
Garden ant (single visit)	£80–£100
Garden ant (repeat or complex)	£100–£130
Pharaoh ant programme (2–3 visits)	£120–£150

All prices include VAT. See our pest control cost guide for a full breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do ants keep coming back every year? Garden ant colonies are perennial — the same colony can persist for many years. Surface treatments kill foragers but rarely eliminate the queen or the colony itself. A proper nest treatment or perimeter barrier application provides much longer-lasting results than DIY sprays.

Are the treatments safe to use in a kitchen? Yes. We use products and application methods specifically suited to food-preparation areas. We will advise you to keep food, children, and pets away from treated surfaces until dry (usually 1–2 hours). For businesses, we comply fully with food safety legislation.

Can I use ant powder from a supermarket? For garden ants, with caution — but supermarket powders are significantly less effective than professional treatments and may cause dispersal of the colony. For pharaoh ants, do not use spray or powder products under any circumstances as this will cause colony budding and worsen the infestation considerably.

How long does ant bait take to work? Gel bait for pharaoh ants typically takes 2–4 weeks to fully eliminate a colony as the bait must be transported back to the nest and fed to the queen and larvae. You may see increased ant activity initially as foragers find and carry the bait — this is a sign the treatment is working.

Ant problem in your London property? Call 020 3966 6100 or get a quote online. We cover Wandsworth, Lambeth, Ealing, and all 33 London boroughs.