Ants

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 (519) 209-3200

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tricitysouth@gmail.com

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Our homes are invaded by many types of ants. Some are bigger threat than others. Here are the most common types. 

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Pavement or Foundation Ant

This type of ant is the most common. Small light brown to black about 2.5 to 3 mm long, these ants often invade our homes for food. Ant colonies are seen making small piles of sand in patios and sidewalks. The pavement ant enters through cracks in exterior walls and basement floors. 

Pavement ants are often seen indoors during winter months. They travel deep to hibernate, sometimes under a building's footings or basement floors. Sheltered from ground frost, hibernation is difficult and creates the need for food. The ant is often seen on main floor of homes where food is easily found. A thorough inspection of basement often leads to source of entry. Piles of sand often make this task easier. 

This ant can create challenges and often requires repeated, yearly control outside of buildings. A variety of methods of control may be used indoors, depending on the results of an inspection.

Carpenter Ants

These large black ants vary in size from 1/4 to a full inch in length. This is structural ant, often seen outside during summer months. A common habitat is trees or other wood structures. The Carpenter ant chews wood but, unlike the termite, does not eat wood. They will chew paths and hollow out galleries in dead tree limbs or roots to shelter their colony. Unfortunately, they also use our homes to house their large colonies. Infestations grow from 2,500 to 5,000 before spliting into secondary colonies. 

In Southern Ontario, the Carpenter Ant is often seen in the spring, foraging for food, and their colonies most often split in May or June. During this time, the ants can be seen indoors, looking for ideal conditions to relocate the splitting portion of their colony. This usually results in approximately 2,500 ants and eggs being relocated. 

Whenever these ants are seen indoors, action should be taken.

Pharaoh Ants

This type of ant is less common and very small, only 2 mm. They are yellow to light brown and almost transparent. They are always seen traveling single file in very straight lines. These trails many take many turns, but the straightness stands out. 

If spotted do not spray, as that would create the colony to shatter into many colonies in defense. When seeing this ant always best to get help.