A guide to Adelaide Inch Ants

Inch ants are native to Adelaide and the Mount Lofty Ranges. They belong to the and subfamily of MYRMECIINAE along with Hopper/Jumping Jack/Jack-jumper Ants. Both of these ants bite and have been responsible for a number of reported deaths due to allergies. (So be warned)
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Inch ants are one of the oldest ant groups and have very wasp-like bodies. They don’t lay down scent trails or travel in lines. They have small colonies, with a few hundred or at most a few thousand ants. If you’re unsure if you have an inch ant around your home, use this helpful guide from the South Australian Government to help you identify the ant.

Where do inch ants live?

Inch Ants are found right across Australia and prefer natural, dry woodland habitats, grasslands and rural areas. Its nest is usually underground and often have hidden or small entrances. They will generally attack anyone that disturbs their nest.
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While inch ant fossils have been found around the globe and dating back 50 million years, they are now only found in Australia. 

What to do if you're bitten by an inch ant.

• If there is a known allergic response avoid Inch Ants and learn when and how to use an adrenaline (epinephrine) autoinjector (e.g. EpiPen) if prescribed and seek immediate medical attention.
• If you are stung, and there are no signs of an allergic reaction, use an ice pack or topical spray/ointment to relieve pain (e.g. Stingose). Other treatments include washing the stung area with soap and water, or the first nations remedy of using the liquid from crushed tips bracken fern (Pteridium esculentum).

How to live with inch ants in and around Adelaide

• Educate children and others about the risks of Inch Ants and show them what the ants and their nests looks like compared to other ants.
• Wear heavy clothing such as boots and gloves when gardening.
• Some people prefer to remove nests to reduce the risk of stings. Seek professional advice on how to remove the nests/kills the ants if necessary.

As with any ant problem, they’re best treated by a licensed and insured professional. Any solutions we use are required to abide my government regulations and we are trained in their safe handling and use. Contact MD Pest Control to discuss your needs be it for inch ants, regular ants or any other pest or insect.