Ants
Ants form colonies and follow trails to food or water; indoors in Accra, they can become a nuisance around kitchens and stored provisions.
Ants live in organised colonies and travel between nesting places and resources. Around homes and compounds, they may forage outdoors along walls, paving, garden beds and service routes, then enter through small openings in search of food or water. Warm weather can make their movement more noticeable, although the location and species influence where they appear. A trail of ants may connect a food source to a nest that is hidden in soil, a wall void, paving or another sheltered place. Knowing which species is present can help guide a proportionate response.
Ants are usually a nuisance, but their presence in kitchens or food storage areas can create hygiene concerns. Some species may also bite or sting when disturbed, so avoid handling unfamiliar ants or nests. Crepps looks at where ants are travelling, what is attracting them and where they may be nesting before recommending next steps. The focus is on practical measures for the property, with monitoring to see whether activity changes after conditions are addressed. If trails keep returning or extend across several areas, an inspection can help determine whether the source is indoors, outdoors or both.
Signs
Ants are social insects, meaning they live in colonies that can house up to hundreds of thousands of individuals, so you'll likely see more than one at a time. Inside the home, ants can primarily be found in the kitchen and bathrooms, as these areas provide access to food as well as moisture.
Why it matters
Ants, e.g. Pharaoh ants, have been implicated in the spread of more than a dozen disease pathogens, including salmonella and Streptococcus pyogenes. They are a particular nuisance in hospitals and other care settings, where they can carry germs onto sensitive surfaces and equipment, so quick, careful control matters.
The IPM approach
We inspect and identify species type, locate their nest and then choose the best treatment method.
Prevention
Seal all possible points of entry around the house including small openings and cracks around doors and windows, keep counters and floors clean and free of crumbs, store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles.
Worried about ants?
Book an inspection
Related pests
Driver ants
Driver ants, also called safari ants, move in organised columns and may pass through compounds, where their biting behaviour can concern people and pets.
See more
Cockroaches
Cockroaches shelter near warmth, food and moisture, often appearing in kitchens or service areas and raising hygiene concerns for Accra premises.
See more
Termites
Termites feed on cellulose and can work unseen in timber or behind surfaces, so suspected activity in Accra buildings merits inspection.
See more