Ministry receives complaints of black ants infesting homes and gardens along Suva‑Nausori corridor

The Ministry of Agriculture has received complaints of black ants infesting homes and gardens along the Suva‑Nausori corridor.

The Ministry has confirmed that it is a nuisance to humans because of their presence inside homes but no reports were received on white footed black ants attracted to food.

In a statement earlier this month the Ministry says the white footed black ants will only be a problem if fruit trees, crops and vegetables are planted very close to buildings or homes.

When asked whether the issue of black ants infesting homes was only contained within the Suva to Nausori Corridor, the Ministry says that they have only been receiving complaints from the Nausori to Suva corridor however a delimiting survey is needed in other parts of Fiji to confirm its presence and the type of damage it does.

The white footed black ants does not bite or sting, nor has it been reported to cause any structural damage.

The Ministry of Agriculture stated that to control these white footed black ants people need to carry out cultural and chemical control measures.

It says that some cultural control measures include trimming trees and shrubs surrounding the structure to stop ants from "bridging" on to the structure of a building.

The best policy is to not have any vegetation touching exterior walls.

The Ministry adds that destroying ant nests with boiling water is also effective.

Black ants can be found in dry places such as undisturbed trees & bushes, ornamentals, loose mulch of leaf litter, rotting logs, under loose bark, under piles of stones and soil and under the house.