Coastal Brown Ant
Pheidole megacephala
An introduced, light-brown ant that forms huge multi-queen colonies and leaves piles of loose soil between pavers and along slab edges. One of the most common nuisance ants in Queensland.
- Size
- 2–4 mm
- Key sign
- Soil piles between pavers
- Colony
- Many queens
- Prefers
- Protein and fats
Questions about the Coastal Brown Ant
How to identify a Coastal Brown Ant
Identification
- 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.
Where it lives
- Under paving, along slab edges, in lawns and garden beds.
- Inside wall cavities and under floor coverings.
Behaviour
- Forms supercolonies with many queens and interconnected nests.
- Prefers protein and fatty food but also takes sugars.
Why it matters
Surface sprays often fail because the colony is large and spread out; baiting is usually more effective.
Can displace native ant species.
Commonly confused with
Black House Ant
Ochetellus glaber
A small, shiny black native ant that forms long trails into kitchens and bathrooms searching for sweet food and water.
Red Imported Fire Ant
Solenopsis invicta
An invasive South American ant first found in Brisbane in 2001 and now the target of a national eradication program. It builds loose soil mounds in open areas, swarms when disturbed and stings repeatedly. Suspected fire ants must be reported, not treated.
Ant guides
How to Pest-Proof Your Home
A practical, room-by-room approach to reducing pests without relying on chemicals: remove what attracts them, close the ways in, and make your property less comfortable for them.
GuideCommon Brisbane Household Pests
A Brisbane-specific overview of the pests residents meet most often, when they are active, and what the subtropical climate, storms, creeks and Queenslander homes mean for pest pressure.
GuideFire Ants in South East Queensland
How to recognise red imported fire ants, what to do if you find them or are stung, how the National Fire Ant Eradication Program works, and what the biosecurity rules mean for households in South East Queensland.
Ants by location
More about ants
Ants
Social insects that live in colonies and follow scent trails to food and water. Most ant problems in homes are nuisance foraging trails from colonies outside the house.
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Sources & further reading
- Queensland Museum — insects, spiders and animals of Queensland — Queensland Museum
- Australian Museum — insects and spiders — Australian Museum
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