Bull Ant Identification Melbourne
Identify bull ants — large, aggressive Melbourne ants with a potent sting.
Bull Ant in Melbourne — Quick Answer
Bull ants are large, aggressive ants found throughout Melbourne parks, gardens, and bushland. Workers measure 15–25 mm with powerful mandibles, excellent eyesight, and a painful venomous sting. They nest in underground mounds in open ground and are highly territorial. Bull ant stings can cause severe allergic reactions in some people. T47 Pest Control provides professional nest treatment for bull ant colonies that pose a risk to families, pets, or garden users.
How to Identify Bull Ant
Size
15–25 mm worker body length — Melbourne's largest common ant
Colour
Black, dark red, or reddish-brown depending on species; large prominent mandibles
Behaviour
Highly aggressive, excellent vision, fast runner, delivers painful venomous sting; solitary forager
Habitat
Underground nests with large soil mounds in gardens, parkland, bushland edges, and lawns
Look-Alikes & Confusion Notes
Unlikely to be confused with other ant species due to their distinctive large size. Carpenter ants are also large but are far less aggressive and do not sting. Bull ants are distinctly more robust with visible mandibles.
Risk & Urgency
High. Bull ant stings are very painful and can cause severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) in sensitive individuals. Nests near play areas, paths, or pet zones should be professionally treated promptly.
Where Found in Melbourne
Bull ants are common in Melbourne bushland, parks, and suburban gardens near natural areas. They favour well-drained soils in sunny positions and are frequently encountered in outer eastern, bayside, and Mornington Peninsula suburbs.
What to Do Now
Keep children and pets away from known nest sites. Do not attempt to disturb or flood the nest — this increases aggression. Contact T47 Pest Control for professional nest treatment using direct injection methods that eliminate the colony safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How dangerous are bull ant stings?
- Bull ant stings are very painful and inject venom that causes intense burning and swelling. Most people experience localised reactions lasting 1–2 days. However, some individuals develop severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) requiring emergency medical treatment.
- How do you get rid of a bull ant nest?
- Professional nest treatment is the safest and most effective approach. T47 Pest Control injects insecticide directly into the nest entrance, eliminating the colony underground. DIY attempts often fail and risk painful stings.