Biosecurity officers have seized several species of exotic and potentially deadly ants from a Canberra home, after they were advertised for sale on the website Gumtree.

Seven species of imported ants were seized by officers last month as part of an investigation into the sale of exotic species over online classified sites, with one of them known to have caused several cases of anaphylaxis overseas.

One of the species of imported ants that were seized. Credit:Department of Agriculture and Fi

A reproductive colony was also taken by officers as part of the operation.

The Department of Agriculture's head of biosecurity operations, Nico Padovan, said the exotic ants were a large danger to the country's native wildlife.