Size: 1-9.5 mm
Colour: Black, Brown, Yellow, Reddish

Description:

Ants are closely related to wasps, hornets, and bees; Canada hosts approximately 100 species. When threatened, many ants will use their mandibles or their stinger or biter ant stinger or biters as defensive mechanisms in defence of their nest.

Ants: An Essential Guide to Recognizing and Eliminating These Pesky Pests

Ants are one of the most troublesome household pests, frequently becoming an inconvenience for homeowners. Ants seek food and water sources inside their homes they invade in search of shelter; once established colonies have established, however, and control becomes challenging to achieve. This guide contains everything you need to know about ants including how to identify them, their behaviors, as well as effective techniques for elimination.

Identifying Ants

Ants vary in size, shape, and colour. Some types that could invade your home include carpenter ants, odorous house ants and pavement ants.

• Carpenter Ants: Larger than other ants, these range from 6 to 12 millimetres in size and are typically black or reddish-brown with a distinctive heart-shaped head.
• Odorous House Ants: Smaller, measuring about 2.4 to 3.3 millimetres, these ants are dark brown or black and emit a strong, unpleasant odour when crushed.
• Pavement Ants: Small insects measuring 2.5-3 millimetres long, these dark brown or black creatures possess two spines on their thoraces for added defence against predatory creatures.

Behaviour and Habits

Ants are social insects living in highly organised colonies. Ants work cooperatively to find food and water while protecting their nest. Attracted to sweet- substances as well as meaty and greasy food items, ants can enter homes through small cracks and crevices; when they find something tasty to snack on they leave behind an invisible trail of pheromones which attract more ants, leading to larger outbreaks.

Ant Control Tips and Strategies

If you suspect an ant infestation in your home or property, here are several steps you should take in order to eliminate them:

1. Identify the Ant Species: Correct identification is vital when treating different species of ants; different methods must be utilized depending upon which ant species have invaded a home and required.
2. Eliminate Food and Water Sources: Ensure your home stays clean and pest-free by promptly cleaning up spills, storing food in airtight containers, and addressing any leaks or standing water.
3. Use Bait: Ant bait containing a slow-acting poison can be effective. Ants carry this poison back to their colony, killing off everyone within it and ultimately wiping them all out.
4. Seal Entry Points: Seal off cracks or gaps where ants might be entering by applying caulk or weatherstripping. This should prevent entry.
5. Hire a Professional Pest Control Service: Professional assistance may help identify the source and administer effective treatments to effectively eliminate an infestation.

Prevention is Key

Preventing an infestation is always the best strategy. Proactively preventing ants from entering your home or business can save you time, money, and hassle.

At Get ‘Em Out Wildlife Control, our expert staff specializes in eliminating and preventing ant infestations. Utilizing advanced techniques and technologies, our professionals quickly detect and treat infestations to provide quick relief. In addition, we offer regular inspections, targeted treatments, as well as tailored packages tailored specifically for you and your budget.

Environmentally Friendly Solutions

We are committed to environmentally friendly solutions, using non-toxic, eco-friendly products whenever possible to minimize the impact on your property.

Resources for Ongoing Prevention

Our website offers invaluable advice for protecting yourself against ants. These include tips for locating and eliminating common attractants like food crumbs, standing water, and entryways to homes.

No matter whether it is an existing infestation or preventive measures against future ones, our professional services are here to assist you. Reach out now and learn about them and how we can keep ants out of your home or business for good!

Areas Served

We have wildlife and pest control specialists ready to assist throughout Ottawa and surrounding areas, including Gatineau, Brockville, Cornwall, Russell, Arnprior, Kingston, Embrun, Carleton, Kanata, Kemptville, Nepean, Orleans, Barrhaven, Clarence-Rockland, Goulbourn, Cumberland, Greely, Stittsville, Carp, and Almonte.