Ant control in Vancouver

How can 1st Pest Control help you get rid of ants?

Close up of an ant

There are approximately 75 species of ants found in British Columbia. Some common ant species in the region include Argentine ants, pavement ants, carpenter ants, fire ants, and pharaoh ants. Each species has its own unique behavior, nesting habits, and potential impact on properties, making it important to accurately identify the type of ant infestation for effective control and prevention strategies.

1st Pest Control technicians will typically follow a comprehensive process to effectively eliminate ants from your home. Here are some of the steps we  may take:

Inspection: The first step is to conduct a thorough inspection of your property to identify the source of the ant infestation and determine the extent of the problem.

Identification: Once the type of ant species is determined, technicians can tailor their treatment plan to target the specific behaviors and preferences of that species.

Treatment: Technicians will implement targeted treatments that may include the application of insecticides in key areas where ants are likely to nest or travel, such as along baseboards, in cracks and crevices, and near entry points.

Nest Elimination: Finding and treating ant nests is crucial for long-term control. Technicians may use baits, dusts, or liquid insecticides to eliminate ant colonies at their source.

Prevention: Technicians will offer recommendations to help prevent future ant infestations, such as sealing cracks and crevices, reducing food and water sources, and maintaining proper sanitation practices.

Follow-Up: Depending on the severity of the infestation, technicians may schedule follow-up visits to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment and make any necessary adjustments.

By following these steps and utilizing their expertise, 1st Pest Control technicians can help eliminate ants from your home and provide long-term relief from infestations.

FAQs - Ants

What do they look like?

Ants have exoskeletons surrounding their elongated bodies and narrow waists. They also have elbowed antennae, three pairs of legs, and a prominent head endowed with a strong jaw used to forage, construct, and defend. Ants come in various shades of black, brown and red.

On average, ants can grow up to an inch long, though are commonly observed to be less than half that length. Ants are social insects and live in small to significantly large colonies containing one or several queens.

The queens and male ants have wings, whereas worker female ants do not. Common ant species encountered in the locality are pavement ants, carpenter ants and Pharaoh ants.

Where do they come from?

Ants may enter a residence in search of new areas to construct a nest or to forage for food. Ants are omnivorous with a diet that generally consists of insects, sugary products, and other food types consumed by humans.

They enter a residence through small cracks and crevices with openings leading from the outside, as well as larger entry points such as gaps along windows and doors. Their small size allows them to easily move across spaces between and within residences.

Where do they come from?

Ants may enter a residence in search of new areas to construct a nest or to forage for food. Ants are omnivorous with a diet that generally consists of insects, sugary products, and other food types consumed by humans.

They enter a residence through small cracks and crevices with openings leading from the outside, as well as larger entry points such as gaps along windows and doors. Their small size allows them to easily move across spaces between and within residences.

Can they cause any damage to my property?

Ants form small to large colonies that may become hazardous depending on their location. Some ants construct their nests inside wooden structures such as walls and floors. As they continue to break down wood to expand the size of their nest, these structures begin to weaken and may collapse. Ants are also known to nest under pavements, under or in close proximity to structural foundations, in the soil or trees.

Their large population size and constant construction of nests may result in costly damages to property.

Can they cause me or my family to become sick?

Ants are generally considered a low health risk. However, it is not impossible for them to spread contamination by picking up pathogens as they travel from place to place. Fire ants are found in the Vancouver area and can deliver painful venomous stings.

Typical symptoms include pain, redness and swelling. Though rarely fatal, their sting may cause allergic reactions in some individuals.

Where would I find them in my house?

Small groups of foraging ants are typical indicators of a nearby nest. They can be found indoors within a building’s structure including the walls, floors or foundation. Alternatively, they may have constructed a nest outdoors in close proximity to the building, such as beneath the ground or inside trees.

Subsurface ant activity located outdoors are commonly identified by ant hills, or soils pushed up as a result of their underground construction.

Why do I have to get rid of them?

Ants are primarily a nuisance pest that construct and expand their nests, both indoors and outdoors. Their indoor nesting activities might weaken a building’s structural integrity resulting in an unsafe living or working environment.

With an increase in ant population and the longer a nest is occupied, damages caused by ants could become very costly to fix or replace. An ant infestation may become a health hazard with increased risk for venomous stings and contamination.

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