Pest identification
Identify a pest
Answer two quick questions and PestMan will suggest what you’re likely dealing with — and what to read next.
- 1. What did you find?
- 2. Describe it
- 3. Likely pest
It could be one of these
Possible match
Red Imported Fire Ant
Loose soil mounds with no entry holes and aggressive, mixed-size ants are signs of red imported fire ants. Don’t disturb the nest — report it to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program.
Check these features
- Workers are small, about 2–6 mm, and come in mixed sizes within the same nest.
- Coppery-brown head and body with a darker brown to black abdomen.
- Nests are mounds of loose, crumbly soil, flat or dome-shaped, up to about 40 cm high, with no obvious entry holes on top.
- When a mound is disturbed, large numbers of ants pour out quickly and run up objects, including legs and tools.
What to read next
Possible match
Coastal Brown Ant
Coastal brown ants also leave loose soil, usually between pavers and along slab edges rather than raised mounds, and have big-headed soldiers.
Check these features
- Small, 2–4 mm, light to reddish-brown.
- Two worker sizes: minor workers and "soldier" majors with very large heads.
- Soil mounds along cracks, path edges and skirting boards.
What to read next
Possible fire ants — report, don’t disturb
Keep people and pets away, don’t dig or spray the mound, and report it to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (fireants.org.au or 13 25 23). See what to do if you find fire ants.
Describe it in your own words
Try something like “tiny brown bugs in the pantry” — PestMan will search its answers for a match.