Squamish Ant Control

Ant Control and Treatment Process

Ant control and Treatment process can seem daunting for many homeowners and reason why they rely on professional like us to help them.  We possess the knowledge and experience to deal with ants infestation, and here’s how we do it:

After identifying the ant species, we walk around the house to look for an attractant source; sometimes it is obvious.  Depending on the species we may treat the area and block any potential entry points to your home. We then move inside the house and treat all areas we suspect they will come in contact with our product.  The last step is to setup insect monitors to evaluate the effectiveness of our treatment.

Obviously, this is a very simple scenarios, but the approach is somewhat similar in the majority of cases:

• Identify:  Identify the ant species
• Attractant: What attracts them?
• Source: Where is the main problem?
• Propagation: Where is the problem spreading to?
• Exclusion: Where are they coming in?
• Treatment: What is the best treatment?
• Monitoring: Was our treatment successful?

Identifying Ant Species

Identifying the ant species is crucial when establishing an effective ant control and treatment program. This information will further help us narrow down potential attractant, entry points and nesting locations.

Common Ant Species Found in Homes

Establishing a good ant control and treatment program start with identifying the problematic ant species. If you live in the Greater Squamish and Sea to Sky Corridor areas of British Columbia, you might be familiar with the ant species listed below. The most problematic species are Carpenter ants. They are considered pests as they can cause serious damage to your home. The other species are mostly considered nuisance ants:

Carpenter ants:

Two main species, Camponotus Modoc and Camponotus Vicinus, range in size from 3/8 in to ¾ in. They prefer decaying wood and can cause extensive damage to your home. Prompt action is necessary. Modoc species usually have one queen per main nest while the Vicinus may contain several.  In either case several satellite nests can be established in time, which may result in the same outcome. Carpenter ants absolutely need a water source nearby the nest.

Pavement ants and Garden ants:

Tetramorium Caespitum, Tetramorium immigrans, and Lasius niger are most common, smaller at ⅜ to 1/2in. They prefer sandy soil and are considered a nuisance. They can contaminate food and make little sand mounds.

Thatching ants:

Formica obscuripes, reddish body with black abdomen, appreciate decaying wood.  Like carpenter ants, are beneficial outside where they belong and feed on many smaller insects.

Pharaoh ants:

Monomorium pharaonis, extremely small and brownish, love kitchens and bathrooms. They tend to walk inline and are hard to eliminate. Do not spray insecticide on Pharaoh ants as it can make the problem worse.

What Are Common Attractants:

There are a multitude of possible attractants, too many to list, but in general, it boils down to food and water first. A food source and a year-round water source will be the winner in most cases. Getting rid of any fruits ripening on the ground or stagnant water may be a great start to reduce attraction to your property.

A close second would be their ability to build a colony. Some ants prefer sandy moist ground, while others prefer decaying wood and foliage. Removing dead wood and stumps is a clear winner here

Where Is The Source?

Ants may originate from a source over the fence on your neighbor’s property. Consequently, they may begin scouting for resources on your side of the fence. If your house happens to be in the vicinity of the main nest and can offer food and water, it’s likely that you’ll also get ants on your side.

Excluding Ants From Your Property

Ant Treatment

Monitoring ants Activity

Best Course of Action for a Successful Ant Control and Treatment Program