Ants in Ontario homes
What kind of ants you have, whether flying ants are termites, and how to deal with them, from baits to a free quote.
Ants are one of the most common calls we hear about in spring. Most are more annoying than harmful, but one type, the carpenter ant, can point to a bigger problem. Here is how to tell what you are dealing with.
What kind of ants are these?
Many ant species live in Ontario. A few clues help narrow it down:
- Size. Carpenter ants are large. Health Canada gives their length as about 6 to 25 mm.
- Colour. Black, dark brown or reddish-brown.
- Shape. Ants have three body segments, a narrow waist and bent (elbowed) antennae.
- Where you find them. Kitchens and bathrooms for trail-forming ants. Damp or damaged wood for carpenter ants.
Take a clear photo or catch one in a sealed jar or tape. It makes identification faster.
Are flying ants termites?
Not usually, but it is worth checking. Winged ants and termites look alike at first glance.
Flying ants vs termites
- Waist. Ants have a very slim waist. Termites have a thick one.
- Antennae. Ants have bent antennae. Termites have straight ones.
Winged insects inside your home are worth having identified. Collect one in a sealed container and send us a photo, or ask for an inspection.
Are carpenter ants dangerous to wood?
Carpenter ants don’t eat wood, but they tunnel through it to make nests. Health Canada says they push the wood out as sawdust-like shavings. Piles of that debris, or narrow slits in woodwork, are signs to look for.
Indoors, they prefer moist or decaying wood, so their presence can point to a moisture problem. They may nest in wall voids, attics, hollow doors or foam insulation. Outdoors they nest in dead trees, stumps and logs.
Why are there ants in my kitchen?
Food and water. Ants send out scouts, and when one finds crumbs, spills, pet food or a damp spot, it leaves a scented trail for the rest. That is why you often see a neat line.
When do ants come out?
Activity picks up as the weather warms. Our busiest season for ants runs from April to June. Ants in the house can happen any time of year if there is a heated nest or a steady food supply.
What should I do now, and what should I avoid?
Following Health Canada’s advice:
Do:
- Store food in sealed glass or snap-lid containers.
- Wipe counters, empty garbage often and rinse recycling.
- Put pet food dishes in a shallow dish of water, since ants can’t swim.
- Seal cracks in foundations, exterior walls and baseboards.
- Move firewood and wood debris away from the house, and fix damp areas.
Avoid:
- Spraying trails when using bait. It can stop the bait working.
- Leaving baits within reach of children and pets.
- Using any product without a Pest Control Products (PCP) number on the label.
How do ant baits work?
Baits are slow-acting on purpose. Worker ants carry the bait back to the nest, so it can reach the whole colony. Health Canada says to place bait stations in the path of foraging ants and keep them available for at least two weeks.
How does professional treatment work?
We follow four steps, explained in our integrated pest management guide:
- Inspect. Trace trails, look for entry points and damp wood.
- Identify. Confirm the type of ant, since carpenter ants and trail ants are handled differently.
- Treat. Target the colony as well as the ants you see.
- Follow-up. Check that activity has stopped.
Find out more on our ant control page. We serve homes and businesses in cities such as Markham and Richmond Hill. Later in the season, you may also run into wasps.
Get a free quote
Request a free quote and quote details reach you within 30 minutes. Or call us on the number at the top of the page.
Common questions
Do ants mean I have a bigger infestation?
Not always. A few scouts may be following one food source. A steady trail, ants in several rooms or sawdust piles suggest a nest nearby and are worth having inspected.
Are ants harmful to children or pets?
Most house ants are a nuisance, not a danger, but they can contaminate food. The bigger risk is the products used on them. Keep baits and sprays out of reach and follow the label.
Do ant sprays work?
Health Canada notes that spraying indoor trails may cut off food and water but can also split the colony. If ant numbers rise, it suggests switching to bait. Don't spray while baiting.
How do I find the nest?
Follow the trail. Health Canada says scout ants leave scented trails back to food, so tracing them can lead to entry points and the nest. Anthills outdoors often mark the nest.
Do ants nest in wood?
Carpenter ants do. Health Canada says they tunnel through moist or decaying wood to nest, pushing out sawdust-like shavings. Fixing damp wood and keeping firewood away from the house helps.
Why do ants come back in spring?
Colonies become active as the weather warms, and foraging ants look for food and water. If sources are still available, or the nest was never dealt with, ants return.
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Tell us what you found and where. We send quote details in under 30 minutes.