Ants
Need an ant exterminator? Our ant control is the best and safest way to get rid of ants for good.
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Are you in need of a professional ant exterminator? Turn to Terminix Canada. We permanently remove ants so you can maintain a safe and healthy space.
Ant Biology
Ants are small social insects that are part of the family Formicidae. According to National Geographic, there are more than 10,000 known ant species around the world. The majority of ant colonies construct their nests in the soil and live in huge groups of hundreds of thousands. The largest ant colony ever recorded in the world was an Argentine ant super colony that stretched more than 6,000 kilometers in the Mediterranean region. Ant colonies are characterized by three groups of ant – queens, drones, and workers.
Did You Know?
Depending on the particular species, ants can lift 10 to 50 times their own bodyweight.
Ant Behaviour, Diet, Habitat and Life Cycle
Firstly, ants are notoriously difficult to remove once they’ve established a colony. Identifying the particular ant species is key to better understanding the ant problem you’re dealing with. The most destructive Canadian ant species is the carpenter ant. Are you wondering how to get rid of carpenter ants? Call Terminix Canada and see your infestation crawl away. Nesting in wood, this species can cause structural damage to your home in extreme cases. Elsewhere, the tiniest species of ants, pharaoh ants, construct their nests in areas of homes and businesses like walls, cabinets and refrigerators. Additionally, species like the red harvester ant excavate bare areas of soil in yards.
In short, all ant species are constantly on the lookout for food. Protein and sugar-based baits are common DIY methods of ant control since sugary, meaty and greasy foodstuffs are what ants love most. It’s imperative to practice regular sanitation inside your home or business to deter these tiny invaders.
Most ant species construct their nests in the soil but this can vary. For instance, given their love of wood, the carpenter ant actually nests within wood. While not consuming wood, this species does excavate decaying wood for a living space. Worker ants are the ones that go searching for food inside properties, carrying their findings back to the wider colony. It’s queen ants’ job to lay tiny eggs that hatch into larvae after a period of around one to two weeks. When they construct new nests, queens can continue laying new eggs for many years. The lifespan of ants varies depending on the species but carpenter ant colonies typically live for around 3 to 6 years.
Wondering How To Get Rid Of Ants?
Wondering how to get rid of ants in the house? Maybe you want to know how to kill ants on your business premises? Firstly, you should know there are many ant prevention methods out there. Things you can do everyday to deter ants include keeping home surfaces clean, storing food in sealed containers, and sealing cracks and gaps in your foundation.
But remember, for a more permanent ant control solution, you should call Terminix Canada. Not only are our ant baits, ant traps and gel-based ant pesticides safe, they are proven ant killers. Our professional ant exterminators will see your ant infestation crawl away for good.
An Ant Exterminator On Our Ant Control Team Can Help You
When it comes to residential ant control or commercial ant control, the best way to get rid of bed bugs is to hire a Terminix Canada exterminators. Ants are a common source of problems for residential and commercial when they create nests in unwanted places. If you’re wondering how to get rid of carpenter ants and other ant species, our ant control is the best and safest way to get rid of ants for good.
Common Ants Of Canada
Carpenter Ants
Size: 6 to 25 mm long.Colour: Mainly black. Sometimes red and black, solid red or brown.
Behaviour: Actively feeding at night, carpenter ants are usually found nesting in wood. Not eating wood, they excavate galleries for their nesting areas. Learn more
Fire Ants
Size: 1.6 to 5 mm long.Colour: Reddish brown with a dark coloured stinger.
Behaviour: Fire ants are highly protective over the nests and will attack people and animals. Their sting feels like a wasp sting and can be painful. Learn more
Pavement Ants
Size: 2.5 to 3 mm long.Colour: Darkish brown to black with lighter coloured legs.
Behaviour: Pavement ants nest outdoors under flat stones, sidewalks, concrete slabs, and along curbing. They nest in walls, insulation and floors. Learn more
Pharaoh Ants
Size: 1 to 2 mm long.Colour: Varies from golden yellow to reddish.
Behaviour: A small ant species, pharaoh ants typically nest in warm, hard to reach areas such as walls, splashboards of kitchen countertops, and in-wall sockets. Learn more
Red Harvester Ants
Size: 4.5 to 13 mm long.Colour: Orange to red or brownish black.
Behaviour: Red harvester ants gather seeds as their primary food source. They clear large circular areas around the entrance hole of their nests in your yard. Learn more
Frequently Asked Ant Control Questions
Do I Need An Ant Exterminator To Get Rid of Ants?
Helping homeowners get rid of ants for over 90 years, Terminix Canada succeeds where many fail with their ineffective, DIY ant repellents.
Homemade ant killers and DIY ant traps aren’t nearly as effective as our solutions. We use professional ant baits, ant traps, gel-based ant pesticides, and interior/exterior chemical spray.
What Months Are Ants Active?
Pharaoh ants are active year-round whereas carpenter ants are active in February, March, April, May, June, July, August and September. Pavement ants appear the least for a period of six months from April to September. Fire ants’ peak activity takes place in spring and fall while red harvester ants typically swarm in late summer.
What Problems Do Ants Cause?
It all depends on the species. The most destructive is the carpenter ant. If infestations go untreated, they can cause structural damage to your home over time since they nest in wood. If you’re wondering how to get rid of carpenter ants, wonder no more and call Terminix Canada. Elsewhere, the tiniest species, pharaoh ants, build nests in high-traffic areas like the walls, cabinets, and refrigerator insulation in your kitchen. As for red harvester ants, they excavate bare areas of soil in your backyard. Ultimately, all ants are searching for food. Therefore, these pests make your food preparation spaces unsanitary.
Why Do I Have Ants?
Ants are always hunting for food sources. Whether it’s a mere pet food crumb, a rogue piece of fruit or a dirty kitchen countertop, ants will breach the tiny gaps in your home to find their way to food.
How Can I Stop Ants Entering My Home?
There are many ant control methods out there to get rid of ants. Things you can do every day include keeping home surfaces clean, storing food in sealed containers, and sealing cracks and gaps in your foundation.
For a more permanent ant control or insect control solutions, call Terminix Canada. Not only are our ant baits, ant traps and gel-based ant pesticides safe, they are proven ant killers. Our professional ant exterminators will see your ant infestation crawl away for good.
How To Get Rid Of Ants In The Kitchen?
If you’re wondering how to get rid of ants in the kitchen, it’s first important to understand why they’re attracted to your kitchen in the first place. Ants are equipped with odour detectors, which allow them to quickly and efficiently sniff out potential sources of food, no matter how tiny.
Got small ants in the kitchen? The common household ants infesting your kitchen likely belong to one of four species of tiny ant. These are the little black ant, the pharaoh ant, the odorous house ant, or the pavement ant. All four ants are truly tiny, with workers averaging around one-eighth of an inch in length. Each of these ant species are also extremely opportunistic and may establish true colonies indoors.
Secondly, ants need water too. Water regularly enters and leaves your kitchen. Even just a minor leak around a faucet or a poorly draining dishwasher may leave your kitchen vulnerable to tiny invading ants. In short, damp wood or condensation provides enough moisture for ants to quench their thirst.
To help remove ants, you should make sure to wipe down your countertops and other surfaces daily. You should also be removing any accessible garbage or green bin waste from your kitchen. For those with garbage disposal systems, run them long enough to ensure all food waste has been ground up and flushed away.
We understand how difficult it can be to keep your home perfectly clean 100% of the time. However, what may look like nothing to the human eye can result in a delicious feast for an ant. By cleaning up and wiping down surfaces daily, you can help keep ants out of your kitchen.
What Is The Best Way To Get Rid Of Ants?
If you’re wondering what is the best way to get rid of ants, then follow the below steps:
- Seal off all points of entry
Ants are extremely tiny insects and can get into your home through tiny cracks or gaps in windows, doors and your foundation. Seal these cracks off as soon as you can to keep ants out.
- Clean up any messes quickly
Immediately clear dinner plates after eating and wipe away any crumbs or left-over messes on dining room tables, kitchen counters and the ground.
- Store food in airtight containers
Ants adore ripe fruits and vegetables. If you leave food exposed to the air, ants can sniff it out and will follow the smell.
- Clean pet food bowls
Ants are not picky. They will eat whatever food they can find, and that includes Fido’s. Between pet meals, make sure their dishes are cleaned up, as well as the floor around their bowls.
- Maintain outdoor areas
To help keep ants out of your home, make sure your outdoor areas are maintained by trimming any trees or bushes that may be touching your home and sealing up any cracks or gaps.
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