Controlling Funnel Ants

How to Control Funnel Ants

Funnel Ants are found throughout Australia, and while you may not immediately recognise the name, their distinctive funnel-shaped nests in sandy soils are a common sight. These mounds often appear in lawns, and while they may look harmless, their underground tunnelling can destabilise the soil, while their wide entrances can damage the grass above. The good news is that a healthy lawn serves as a natural deterrent and allows it to recover quickly from Funnel Ant damage. Additionally, affordable insecticides can be used to effectively control their populations.

Table of Contents:

1. What are Funnel Ants?
2. How to Control Funnel Ants in Your Lawn
3. How to Control Funnel Ants with All Year Round Turf

What are Funnel Ants?

Funnel Ants (Aphaenogaster spp.) are named for their unique, funnel-shaped nests, which feature small, conical openings. These ants are relatively small, measuring 4 to 6 millimeters in length, and are typically light brown or reddish-brown in color.

Common across Australia, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, Funnel Ants thrive in sandy, loose soils. They are most active during the warmer months, particularly in Spring and Summer, when they expand their colonies.

Funnel Ants have a complex life cycle that begins with eggs. The eggs hatch into larvae, then pupae, and finally mature into adult ants. During the reproductive phase, winged males and females leave the nest for mating flights. After mating, the fertilised female starts a new colony by laying eggs, which hatch into worker ants. These workers are responsible for foraging, nest-building, and expanding the colony. This life cycle typically takes several weeks, depending on environmental conditions.

The most noticeable sign of an infestation is the appearance of the nests, which are small, circular depressions in the soil with mounds of displaced dirt around the openings. These nests can create uneven lawns, leading to tripping hazards and bare patches where grass has died due to the wide openings. In severe cases, extensive tunnelling can destabilise the soil and lead to ground collapses.

How to Control Funnel Ants in Your Lawn

If Funnel Ants are causing damage to your lawn, they can be managed using insecticides or natural methods.

Using Insecticides

One effective way to control Funnel Ants is by using a fast-acting insecticide like Rumbler, which contains bifenthrin as its active ingredient. This product is registered for use on a wide range of lawn pests.

Another option is Monarch G, which uses fipronil as the active ingredient. Fipronil is less detectable by lawn pests, which could enhance its effectiveness.

Insecticides should always be handled with care. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and wear the recommended safety gear.

• Rumbler is applied as a liquid, diluted between 12–44 mL per 100 sq.m, depending on the nest size.
• Monarch G is a granular product, applied at 1.2 kg per 100 sq.m.

Both products should be applied around the nest area (approximately 30 cm for Rumbler and 56 cm for Monarch), not across the entire lawn.

Natural Remedies

For those who prefer a more natural approach, there are several ways to deter Funnel Ants without using chemical insecticides.

• Diatomaceous earth, a fine powder made from fossilised algae, can be sprinkled around the ant nests. It works by damaging the ants’ exoskeletons, causing dehydration and death.
• Natural repellents such as vinegar or essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus can also be effective. Mixing these oils with water and spraying them around the nests disrupts the ants’ pheromone trails, making it harder for them to find their way back to the colony.

How to Control Funnel Ants with All Year Round Turf

Funnel Ants can cause damage to your lawn, but with the right management practices, you can keep them under control. Whether you choose chemical treatments or natural methods, maintaining a healthy lawn through regular fertilising, mowing, and watering will help your grass recover quickly. A year-round care routine will ensure that your lawn stays resilient in the face of any pest outbreak.

Any questions, please call the professionals at All Year Rond Turf on 1300 887 348 .