Black Garden Ant

Commonly found in gardens, under pavements, and inside buildings particularly in kitchens and bathrooms looking for food.

Omnivorous; they feed on nectar, seeds, small insects, and are famously known for farming aphids to harvest 'honeydew'. Indoor foragers seek sugary and protein-rich human food scraps.

They are social insects living in large colonies. They use pheromone trails to communicate with nestmates and are most active during the day. They undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult).

Generally harmless to humans as they do not possess a sting, though they can be a nuisance when infesting homes. Ecosystem benefits include soil aeration and acting as a food source for birds and spiders.