Squash and sniff test for ants | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

Christchurch people are being asked to use the "squash and sniff" test to identify any stray argentine ants.

The phone has been ringing hot at Department of Conservation (DOC) offices with suspected sightings of the bothersome ants, but most have turned out to be darwin's ants.

DOC ranger Helen McCaughan said people should squash a few of the ants in their hand or on a tissue and smell them.

"Darwin's ants have an unmistakeably pungent smell, whereas argentine ants are odourless," she said.

Both species are a honey-brown colour, distinguishing them from Christchurch's less invasive black ants.

DOC is concerned what could happen to the ecology of places such as Riccarton Bush and Banks Peninsula if argentine ants take off in the city.