- Ants are one of the most common household and commercial pests in Kenya, with species ranging from the nuisance black garden ant to the painful and destructive safari ant.
- Effective ant control requires identifying the species and locating the colony before selecting the appropriate treatment method.
- Treatments include gel baiting, residual insecticide spraying, dust treatments, and perimeter barrier applications.
- Ant infestations in commercial kitchens, food processing facilities, and hospitals present hygiene and contamination risks that require prompt professional intervention.
- Preventive measures — including sealing entry points, eliminating food sources, and applying perimeter treatments — reduce the risk of re-infestation.
- Bestcare Facilities Management provides professional ant control services for homes and businesses across Nairobi and Kenya.
While ants may seem like a minor nuisance, certain species can cause significant problems for homes and businesses in Kenya. Carpenter ants damage timber structures by excavating galleries for their nests. Safari ants (siafu) move in enormous, aggressive columns that can displace families and threaten livestock. Pharaoh ants infest hospitals and food facilities, contaminating sterile environments and food products. Even the common black or brown garden ant, when present in large numbers, can invade food stores, electrical equipment, and structural voids, creating hygiene issues and potential fire risks from nesting in electrical panels.
Effective ant control is not as simple as spraying visible ants with an aerosol. This approach kills foraging workers but does nothing to address the colony — which may contain hundreds of thousands of individuals and a reproducing queen — and often causes the colony to split and relocate, worsening the problem. Professional ant control begins with correct species identification, followed by a targeted treatment strategy designed to reach and eliminate the entire colony.
Types of Ant Control Services
Gel Bait Treatment places small amounts of slow-acting toxicant bait at ant trails and foraging areas. Worker ants carry the bait back to the colony, where it is shared with the queen and other members, achieving whole-colony elimination over several days. Gel baiting is the most effective method for indoor ant control with minimal chemical exposure.
Residual Insecticide Spraying applies a contact insecticide to ant trails, entry points, and harbourage areas that kills ants on contact and provides a residual deterrent barrier for several weeks.
Perimeter Barrier Treatment involves treating the external foundation, entry points, and surrounding soil of a building with long-lasting insecticide to prevent ants from crossing into the structure.
Dust and Powder Treatment applies insecticidal dust into wall cavities, electrical conduits, roof voids, and other enclosed spaces where ants are nesting or travelling.
Safari Ant (Siafu) Management involves targeted treatment and advisory services for properties experiencing safari ant incursions, including colony location, barrier treatment, and prevention advice.
Estimated Cost of Ant Control Services in Kenya
| Service | Unit | Estimated Cost (KES) |
|---|---|---|
| Ant inspection and identification | Per property | 3,000 – 8,000 |
| Gel bait treatment (residential) | Per treatment | 5,000 – 15,000 |
| Residual spray treatment | Per treatment | 4,000 – 12,000 |
| Perimeter barrier treatment | Per property | 8,000 – 25,000 |
| Dust/powder treatment (wall voids) | Per treatment | 5,000 – 15,000 |
| Safari ant management | Per call-out | 6,000 – 20,000 |
| Annual ant control programme | Per year | 20,000 – 60,000 |
Note: Costs are estimates and depend on property size and infestation severity. Contact Bestcare Facilities Management for a site-specific quotation.
Contact Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Bestcare Facilities Management |
| Phone | 0709 004 600 |
| Address | Mpaka Plaza, Westlands, Nairobi |
| info@bestcareservices.co.ke | |
| Website | www.bestcareservices.co.ke |
Contact us today for a free consultation and competitive quotation for your ant control requirements.
