
Community identification
Black Garden Ant
Lasius niger
- Order & Family
- Hymenoptera, Formicidae
- Size
- Workers are typically 3 to 5 mm in length; queens can reach up to 9 mm.
Natural Habitat
Widely distributed across gardens, woodlands, and urban areas. Often nests under paving slabs, in wall crevices, or under lawns.
Diet & Feeding
Omnivorous; they eat nectar, seeds, and small insects. They are well known for 'farming' aphids for their honeydew.
Behavior Patterns
Highly social insects living in large colonies. They follow scent trails to food sources and are particularly active in the summer months during 'nuptial flights'.
Risks & Benefits
Generally harmless to humans. They provide ecosystem benefits by aerating soil and controlling pests, though they can become a nuisance when they forage for sugary foods in homes.