Pest controller Darryl Knauf exterminates an ant nest under a dishwasher, a common damp environment where ants make a home. Photo: SuppliedIt is the busiest time of year for Canterbury pest controller Darryl Knauf, as ant and fly infestations increase over summer. As the owner of Essential Pest Control Ltd, a family business, his best advice for people to prevent ant infestations is to keep lawns watered. Many of Knauf’s customers discover ant infestations in their roof spaces while installing insulation but other nests are commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms. Although mosquitoes are a summer problem in the North Island, Knauf said there are few infestations in Canterbury.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 18, 2026 22:16 UTC