
Ants
In Canada, various types of ants can infiltrate buildings, posing potential threats. These include black carpenter ants, pavement ants, pharaoh ants, odorous house ants, Argentine ants, and thief ants. Among them, carpenter, pavement, and pharaoh ants are the most common culprits in Canadian homes. Carpenter ants, being the largest, can cause significant structural damage. Pavement ants, if they establish nests indoors, can become a nuisance. Pharaoh ants, on the other hand, are attracted to high-protein and high-sugar foods, posing a threat to food storage areas.
Dealing with ant infestations can be a daunting task, especially once they establish a colony. However, understanding the behavior of the specific ant species you're dealing with can empower you to effectively tackle the problem. Knowing their physical traits, behavior patterns, nesting preferences, and the issues they can cause will equip you with the knowledge needed to choose the most suitable control methods.
Physical Traits and Identification
Ants are usually black, dark brown, red, or tan and range from 1.5 mm to 13 mm long. Their body breaks into three parts: head, thorax, and abdomen. Some ants have one bump connecting the thorax and abdomen, while others have two. Ants have three pairs of legs for moving around and normally don't have wings, except for the female and male ants, which have two pairs of wings for mating and spreading out.
Habitat, Diet, and Life Cycle
Ants live in groups with populations that can grow to hundreds of thousands. Most make nests in soil, while some, like carpenter ants, dig into wood. A typical group has a queen, male ants, and worker ants. The queen lays eggs and controls the nest's activities. Workers look for food and are attracted to sugary foods, meat, and grease.

Life Cycle
Ants start as eggs, which turn into larvae and then grow into pupae before becoming adult ants. The queen ants lay eggs, and the adult ants look after the larvae. Once the ants are grown, some may become new queens, female workers, or male ants. The new queens and male ants fly away to mate and start new groups.
Do Ants Bite?
Some ants can bite through human skin, but most Canadian ant types hardly ever bite people. Some ants, like European Fire ants, can sting and put formic acid into the skin, making it burn at the bite spot.
Ants with Wings
Ant groups might make ants with wings, which are called reproductive swarmer’s.
There are ways to control ants inside and around your home using chemicals and other non-chemical methods. We understand that each ant infestation is unique, and you may have specific questions or experiences to share. We encourage you to call now to discuss your situation or share your insights with our community.