Ant Control Services

Solutions Pest Control is familiar with all the types of ants that live in your neighbourhood, and the problems ants can bring to your home or business.

Local Ant Problems

There are over 20,000 species of ants on the planet. Wow – good thing there is only some 100 or so species in British Columbia. Better yet, there are only a few types of ants that cause problems in homes, restaurants and offices in Metro Vancouver.

Ants primarily reside outdoors and serve as valuable scavengers that aid in maintaining the tidiness of gardens and landscaping. However, some ants can create problems when the otherwise harmless insects invade homes to forage for food.

The likelihood of a home invasion is high in the well-developed Metro Vancouver region, as these ants often prefer to live in a moist, protected spaces with abundant food sources.

Ants live in colonies. Their social structure is highly organized and efficient, with the sole objective of growing their colony. Given a suitable habitat near a food source, say your home or kitchen area, a colony will continue to grow. There is no reason for them to leave unless you make a change.

Most ants commonly found in BC are not aggressive, although some can bite. Ants should be tolerated as much as possible since they cause little damage to the garden. They can even be considered beneficial because they eat other insects like young silverfish and moths.

Certain kinds of ants commonly build nests in or near homes. They become pests when you see unsightly trails of workers throughout your home taking advantage of the various food and moisture sources available. Homeowners with infestations can even report flying ants during mating season.

More on the problems caused by ants in the home.

Species known to invade homes in BC include the:

Carpenter Ant

Little Black Ant

Thief Ant

Odorous House Ant

Pharaoh Ant

Pavement ants can become a nuisance in lawns, gardens, and pathways, as well as indoors.

Our local household ants create problems by nesting in residential areas, invading homes in search of food, and even causing structural damage to buildings. Learn more about us!

Household ants often travel in large groups to collect food from previously identified sources

Gathering food en masse can contaminate indoor areas where people eat or prepare meals.

Carpenter Ants do not eat wood; rather, they chew up wood to make nests for their colony.

When collecting food from an indoor source like a kitchen or pantry, the foraging insects may transfer dirt and other unsanitary materials to countertops, shelves, and edible items.

Pharaoh ants can spread several harmful pathogens, including Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp, producing severe health concerns to you and your family

Identify Your Pest Ants

Although the different types of ants in Metro Vancouver share many of the same general traits regarding overall appearance and behaviour, each species retains unique characteristics that affect accurate identification and effective ant control.

Knowing which species has laid claim to your home is crucial to removing them. Don’t wait; the issue will not go away unless you take action.

From Our Clients

Client Testimonials

“Solution’s rapid and thorough response made it possible to get back to my normal life again. Knowledgeable and reassuring, they were always available to answer any further questions and offer suggestions to keep the pests away. I put my utmost trust in Solutions and feel grateful I made the right choice.“

“We had a serious ant problem in our house, and these guys resolved the issue within just a few minutes of being in our home. The technician was very professional, friendly, polite, and we trusted him instantly. He provided the right solution that didn’t hurt our pocketbook either! I highly recommend Solutions Pest Control.”

“I wish I could give Solutions Pest Control 10 stars! Amazing customer service and really knowledgeable! Someone was sent out right away, and they were extremely quick to diagnose the problem and to fix it (even though I required a no chemical/pesticide solution)! Wouldn’t go to anyone else for pest problems! Best in Vancouver by far!”

Ant Infestation

Signs of Infestation

Typical household ants often send individual workers (scouts) from the colony to inspect surrounding areas and locate food sources.

While the presence of a lone ant indoors does not necessarily indicate a nest inside as well, it does signal the existence of a colony in the nearby vicinity.

It also indicates a high probability of hundreds or thousands of ants returning once the scout ant notifies the colony of the food source.

The sight of swarmers, either dead or alive, serves as another sign of a nearby ant infestation. A well-established colony will produce a mating swarm once a year to establish a new nest and grow a new colony.

What Do Ants Eat? – Their Diet

The local household ants are strongly attracted to these types of foods:

sugar and sugary foods like honey, soft drinks, and ice cream;
honeydew secretions produced by aphids on infested houseplants;
greasy foods (like peanut butter or crumbs);
protein by feeding on meats and dead insects; and
spilled greases and oils.

Where Do Ants Come From? – Ant Reproduction

Ants live in colonies. Their social structure is highly organized and efficient, with the sole objective of growing their colony. You can better understand your ant pest issue by understanding ant behaviour.

Swarming

Many local ant colonies grow by producing winged males and females called alates/swarmers. At specific times throughout the year, the swarmers leave the colony and mate.

The males die after mating, while the newly established female queens locate a suitable nesting site, shed their wings, and begin to lay eggs.

Larva stage

Ant larva looks like legless, whitish cylinders hatch from the eggs. They develop into pupae under the care of the queen/other worker ants.

Pupa

The pupae become adult worker ants (all females) after a few weeks and take responsibility for the safety and development of future eggs, which the queen continues to lay.

Colony Budding

While most types of household ants use mating swarms to reproduce, certain species rely on a process called budding.

Ants that reproduce by budding, which means the ants simply divide the colony when it becomes too crowded, with one or more queens leading a group of workers (which carry eggs and immobile larvae) to a new nesting site.

How can I get rid of ants?

Ant Control Treatments

Ant Control Strategies

The following is a list of strategies we use to assess what should be done to deal with a specific client issue. Other than the Preventative strategies, described below, not every Ant Pest issue should be treated the same.

Prevention strategies can be applied in every household.

Prevention

Removing access to food and water is the easiest way to avoid pest problems.

Physical control

Repair and seal as many visible cracks in the foundation and exterior walls of your house as possible.

Non-chemical products

Natural gum resins can be applied around the base of trees and vines.

Chemical products

Many chemical products can be used by consumers to control ants

Bait systems

Ants gather food and bring it back to the nest to feed ant colony members.

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Ant Control Products

If you are a DYI person, you may want to check out the Ant Control products available in our online store.

Certification

Home Owners May Require Residential Applicator Certificate

If you are a homeowner and are planning to use pesticides on your property in British Columbia, you may require a Residential Applicator Certificate under the Environmental Protection & Sustainability Ministry.

Solutions To Your Pest Control Issues

Dealing with ant infestations can be a trying experience. That’s why when you have problems, you need Solutions. Protect your home and your loved ones with professional ant control solutions so that you can enjoy an ant-free home.

For more information about the region and its services, visit the City of Vancouver’s Official Website or explore the Wikipedia page for Vancouver.

Our team is ready to solve your pest issues, call Solutions Pest Control today! Or Schedule a Service Call Now!

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Why Solutions Pest Control?

We are your local pest control expert. Our friendly pest control techs live and work in your neighbourhood. We are very familiar with the local pest issues and are ready to help. Learn more about us!

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DIY Pest Control

If your pest issue is not too big, you may want to try one of these pest control products. Contact us now!

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We will solve your pest problems, and if we can not, we will connect you to the person that can.

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Pest Control Services

FAQ

Frequently Asked Question

What types of ants are common in Metro Vancouver, and which ones cause the most problems?

While there are many species, only a few species typically cause issues in homes and businesses. The most common problems in Metro Vancouver include carpenter, odorous houses, and pavement. These are often attracted to food sources inside homes and buildings and can cause damage to structures, especially carpenters.

How can I prevent ants from entering my home?

Prevention is key to keeping them out. Make sure to seal any cracks or gaps in your home’s foundation, windows, and doors. Also, keep food sealed and clean up crumbs and spills promptly. They are also attracted to moisture, so fixing leaks and keeping your home dry will discourage them from settling inside.

What is the best way to eliminate an ant infestation?

The best way to handle an infestation is to identify the species and target the source of the problem. We offer a variety of methods, including bait systems, natural gum resins for outdoor areas, non-chemical solutions, and if needed, safe chemical treatments. Our experienced team will tailor the solution to your specific needs.

Are your ant control treatments safe for pets and children?

Yes, our treatments are safe for pets and children when applied by professionals. We offer eco-friendly and non-toxic options that are gentle on the environment while being effective at controlling them. Our team ensures that all products are used in accordance with safety guidelines.

How long does it take for ant control treatments to work?

The time it takes for treatments to work depends on the method used and the size of the infestation. In most cases, bait systems take a few days to eliminate the colony as they take the food back to the nest. Other methods, such as physical barriers or non-chemical treatments, may show results within a few days to a week. Our team will provide you with an estimated timeline and ensure follow-up as needed.

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Read

Ant Control Blog

We gathered the following, most recent Ant Control posts from Solutions Pest Control’s – Bug Blog. These are topical posts we’ve written over the years about ant issues in Metro Vancouver and Whistler Sea-to-Sky corridor area. If your neighbours had these issues in the past, our bug blog posts might be relevant to your concerns today.