Ant Invasion in Riverland: Tips to Keep Pests at Bay

0:00Local headlines in two minutes or less, you're tuned in to Adelaide News today. Homes across South Australia's Riverland are swarming with ants right now, despite some recent rain. The main culprit is long stretches of dry weather that have left the ants desperate for moisture, driving them inside houses in huge numbers. Experts say this is a common pest issue in the region, with types like meat ants and bowl ants leading the invasion. Even downpours brought a brief break, pushing many ants back to their nests. But as the heat returns and the ground dries out again, the pests are coming back strong. Pest controllers report a big jump in callouts, especially for smaller house ants nesting in the thousands. Locals like Laura Walding and Barmera have faced scary scenes with thousands covering backyards and chasing people around. Rinters have turned to agents for help, only to hear everyone nearby is dealing with the same problem. It's disruptive, with ants biting and swarming at the slightest disturbance.

1:00Ants specialist Ben Hoffman explains that humidity after dry spills wakes them up, they're always there but more noticeable now. He points out a silver lining, ants mean a healthy yard and the eat termites keeping worse pests in check. Still, they're annoying and the fix starts with basic cleanliness like no food scraps around. With no rain in the forecast, another wave of ants could hit soon. S-PROs are using targeted sprays on trails to wipe out colonies, but they're hoping for more wet weather to hold things off. For now, tidiness is key, or it's time to call in the experts. A quick thank you to our sponsor of today's episode. When you want calm, do not reach for your phone, lay back and listen. S-O-L-I. SoleyPillow.com. S-O-L-I. SoleyPillow.com. S-O-L-I.