ANT SPECIES WE TREAT IN MELBOURNE

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Black House Ants (Ochetellus glaber) - Melbourne's most common household ant. Shiny black, 2.5–3mm, almost always found in kitchens and bathrooms hunting moisture and sugar. They nest in wall cavities, roof voids, under pavers, and garden beds close to the home.

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• Signs: Tight trails along benchtops, skirting boards, or window frames. Small black ants clustering around food, pet bowls, or drains.

 

• CIMEX treatment: Residual perimeter spray combined with targeted gel bait placed along active trails. The bait is carried back to the nest by workers - killing the colony from the inside out.

 

Argentine Ants (Linepithema humile) - One of the most invasive and difficult-to-control species in Victoria. Argentine ants form massive supercolonies - multiple nests connected by shared trails spanning entire streets. They don't fight each other like native ants, which means the colony keeps spreading unchecked.

 

• Signs: Extremely large numbers in wide, fast-moving trails. Small (1.5–3mm) light brown workers that move frantically when disturbed. Multiple nest locations across garden beds, paving, and wall cavities.

 

• CIMEX treatment: Full perimeter residual treatment, all visible entry points targeted, and slow-acting bait carried deep into the colony. Follow-up included in severe cases.

 

Note: Argentine ants are a neighbourhood problem. Untreated colonies next door mean reinfestation is possible. Ask us about our ongoing CIMEX Pro and CIMEX Total plans.

 

• Carpenter Ants (Camponotus spp.) - Australia's largest ants - up to 14mm - and frequently mistaken for termites because they nest inside timber. They don't eat wood but hollow it out to build their nest, causing significant structural damage to decking, roof timbers, window frames, and door jambs over time.

 

• Signs: Large black or black-and-red ants near timber structures at night. Fine wood shavings beneath timber. Faint rustling sounds inside wall cavities.

 

• CIMEX treatment: Full inspection to locate the nest, targeted residual insecticide applied directly to nesting sites, dust treatments for wall cavity nests. Moisture and decaying timber recommendations included.

 

🚨 Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) - Notifiable Pest Highly aggressive and dangerous. Fire ant venom causes painful pus-filled blisters - and for anyone with allergies, a sting can be life-threatening. Not yet established in Victoria but confirmed in Queensland and under national eradication effort.

 

• Signs: Dome-shaped mounds in open ground with no visible entry hole. Reddish-brown ants that swarm aggressively when disturbed. Raised welts or blisters after contact.

 

⚠️ Do not disturb the nest. This is a legally notifiable pest in Victoria. Report immediately: Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881 or agriculture.vic.gov.au

 

CIMEX will work with Agriculture Victoria if a detection is confirmed on your property and can assist with containment and documentation.

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• Step 1 - Inspection We identify the species, locate nest sites, trace active trails, and assess every entry point. Different species require different treatments - using the wrong product in the wrong location makes the problem significantly worse.

 

• Step 2 - Targeted Treatment Depending on species and severity we apply a combination of: Residual perimeter spray - a treated zone ants cannot cross - Gel bait - carried back to the nest by workers, shared through the colony via food exchange, reaching the queen - Dust treatment - injected into wall cavities, roof voids, and subfloor spaces where nests are hidden - Direct nest treatment - where nests can be located, we treat them directly for fastest elimination

 

• Step 3 - Entry Point Advice We identify exactly where ants are entering and advise on permanent prevention — gaps around pipes, weep holes, cracks in render, and garden beds touching the building.

 

• Step 4 - Guaranteed Follow-Up If ants return within the guarantee period we come back at no charge. No questions asked.​​