Black garden ant
Lasius niger
The black garden ant (Lasius niger) is one of the most common and widespread ant species, frequently found near human habitations. The workers are relatively small (approx. 3.5–5 mm) and feature a dark brown to glossy black coloration. They typically build their nests under paving slabs, driveways, rocks, and within foundation cracks. While they are beneficial to the ecosystem by cleaning up organic waste and preying on small pests, they regularly become a nuisance when invading homes in search of sugary foods. Be aware if you keep flowers in garden. Ant colony can deploy aphids on flower stems and damage them. Best way to get rid of them is to mix water with salt and pour it into their nests. Another quite good way is to drop some pest powder onto their nests and around them. Not properly handled can do vast damage to pavement and food storage.