Ants in Your Home? One Colony Can Have Over 300,000 Ants—Here’s How to Stop Them Fast
If you’re spotting ants in your home, you’re far from alone — and what looks like a few harmless bugs scavenging crumbs could actually be the tip of a very large colony at work. In fact, many ant colonies number in the hundreds of thousands of individuals. At East West Pest, we’ve treated homes across Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Brisbane and surrounding suburbs where the visible ants were just the “front-line” of a thriving nest.
With warm, humid weather, scattered rain events and the typical Queensland lifestyle, ant problems are common — so acting early, understanding how ants behave and using the right approach will save you time, stress and money.
🏠 Why Ants Invade Homes
Ants are constantly searching for food, water, and shelter. When they find an easy food source — like crumbs on a bench, pet food, or a dripping tap — they leave behind a pheromone trail that leads thousands more straight to it. Within hours, what started as one or two ants can turn into a moving black line of invaders.
Did you know? Some ant species can travel over 100 metres from their nest in search of food, returning with directions for the entire colony.
In South East Queensland, our warm, humid climate keeps ants active almost all year round. After heavy rain, they often head indoors seeking dry ground — and once inside, they rarely leave on their own.
🐜 Common Ant Species We Deal With
Different ants require different treatments. Here are the main culprits we encounter across Ipswich and surrounding areas:
Black House Ants: Small and shiny black; thrive in kitchens and bathrooms.
Coastal Brown Ants: Nest in lawns, driveways, and sandy soil; often found near pavers.
Argentine Ants: Form enormous colonies with multiple queens; extremely resilient.
Green Tree Ants: Typically outdoors but invade homes in search of food.
Ghost Ants: Tiny translucent ants that love sweets and are hard to spot until it’s too late.
Each species behaves differently — and that’s why identifying the right species is the first step in effective control.
🔎 Signs of an Ant Infestation
Even if you only see a few ants, it’s often a clue that a large colony is nearby. Keep an eye out for:
🚶♀️ Ant trails along skirting boards, windows, or benchtops
🌿 Fine piles of soil or sand near cracks, paths, or lawns
🪟 Winged ants emerging in spring or summer (these are the colony’s reproductives)
⚡ Ants near electrical sockets or appliances — they sometimes nest in wall cavities
🏡 Persistent activity even after spraying — a sure sign the nest remains active
If you’re seeing these signs, it’s time to act before they expand further.
⚠️ Why DIY Sprays Often Make It Worse
It’s tempting to grab a can of spray and douse the ants you see — but that’s exactly what most people get wrong.
Supermarket sprays and basic baits usually only kill the workers, not the queen or the nest. Once disturbed, the colony can split into multiple smaller nests (a process called budding), making the problem much worse.
Quick fact: In one East West Pest job, a customer in Ripley used store-bought spray for weeks. When we inspected, we found six interconnected nests spread beneath the driveway — all from one original colony.
Professional ant control is designed to target the entire colony, not just what you can see.
🧰 How We Get Rid of Ants for Good
At East West Pest, we don’t just treat — we eliminate. Our proven process ensures your home stays ant-free long after we leave.
Comprehensive Inspection 🔍
We locate all entry points, identify the species, and trace their trails back to the nesting site.Targeted Treatments 🎯
Using professional-grade non-repellent baits, gels, and barrier sprays, we destroy ants from the inside out. Workers carry the treatment back to the colony — taking down the queen and brood.Safe, Family-Friendly Products 🐶👶
All our treatments are pet and family safe, while still powerful enough to eliminate entire colonies.Long-Term Prevention 🌿
We apply residual barriers around your home and offer practical prevention tips to keep ants out permanently.
💡 Simple Prevention Tips You Can Do Now
Even after professional treatment, keeping ants away is about good maintenance. Here’s how to protect your home year-round:
Wipe down benches and floors daily to remove crumbs and sugar residues
Seal food in airtight containers — especially pet food and cereals
Fix leaking taps or pipes to remove moisture sources
Seal cracks around windows, doors, and skirting boards
Trim trees and shrubs that touch the house (ants use them as bridges)
Empty bins regularly and clean around their bases
Small habits make a big difference in keeping ants out permanently.
📍 Your Local Ant Experts in Ipswich & Beyond
We’re a local, family-run business, and we understand the unique pest challenges that come with Queensland living. Whether you’re in Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Brisbane, Ripley, Deebing Heights, or Pullenvale, our technicians are nearby and ready to help.
Our team combines local experience with the latest pest management techniques to deliver fast, reliable results that last. And because we’re local, you can count on honest advice, fair pricing, and friendly service — every time.
💪 Take Back Control — Starting Today
Ants won’t disappear on their own. Every day you wait gives the colony time to grow — and before long, they’ll be in your pantry, walls, and power points.
If you’re tired of battling ants on your own, East West Pest is here to help. We’ll inspect your home, find the source, and eliminate the entire colony — safely, efficiently, and with lasting results.
📞 Call East West Pest today or book online to schedule your professional ant inspection and treatment across Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Brisbane, Ripley, and surrounding suburbs.
Let’s protect your home, your family, and your peace of mind — before the ants take over. 🏡✨