Ant control in Ontario

A few ants on the counter are annoying. A steady line from the wall to your sugar bowl is a sign that a colony is nearby. Spraying what you see rarely fixes it, because the nest keeps sending more.

How does Pest Emergency handle ant control?

We follow four steps.

1. Inspect. We follow trails and check damp areas, wood and entry points.
2. Identify. The species decides the treatment.
3. Treat. We use baits and nest treatment matched to that species.
4. Follow up. We check that activity has dropped and advise on prevention.

This is Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Learn more in our IPM guide or read about ants.

Which ant do I have?

Sugar ants and other kitchen ants

Health Canada lists several common home invaders, including little black ants, odorous house ants, thief ants and pavement ants. They follow scent trails to sweet and greasy food. Most are a nuisance rather than a danger.

Carpenter ants

Carpenter ants are the largest, roughly 6 to 25 mm long, with a narrow waist and bent antennae. They do not eat wood. They tunnel into it and push out sawdust-like debris.

Pharaoh ants and other indoor nesters

Pharaoh ants are another common home invader on Health Canada’s list. Species like these are why identification comes first. Health Canada warns that spraying trails indoors can split a colony into several new ones, so we start with baits.

Do carpenter ants damage houses?

They can. Carpenter ants favour moist or decaying wood, so they often point to a moisture problem as well. Signs include:

• Piles of sawdust-like debris near wood or in corners
• Slit-like openings in woodwork
• A faint dry rustling in walls, easiest to hear at night
• Large ants indoors, mostly after sunset

Health Canada notes that damaged structural wood should be replaced and humidity problems fixed. If you suspect a nest in your structure, book an inspection rather than guessing.

How do you get rid of ants?

Baits first. Ants carry bait back to the nest and share it. Health Canada says bait must act slowly enough to reach every ant, and that baits should stay out for at least two weeks. Spraying the same ants at the same time can stop baits from working.

Nest tracking. Following trails to the source lets us treat the colony itself, not just the ants you see.

Moisture and wood repairs. Fixing leaks and replacing rotted wood removes what attracts carpenter ants.

Food and entry points. Store food in sealed containers, wipe counters, and seal cracks in walls and foundations.

Why do ants come back every spring?

Colonies wake up as the weather warms, and in our calendar ants are most active from April to June. If a nest survived the winter, or food and moisture are still available, the trails return.

We reduce this by treating the nest, closing entry points and fixing what draws ants in. A follow-up check helps catch any survivors early.

When should I call a professional?

Call when:

• Ants return after you have cleaned and baited
• You see large ants or sawdust-like debris
• You see winged ants indoors
• You cannot find the nest

Homes and businesses

We treat houses, condos and rentals across Ontario, including Mississauga and Oakville. Restaurants, offices and warehouses need ant plans too, so see our commercial pest control page. Mice and rats are common visitors as well. Learn about rodent control.

Get an ant control quote

Tell us where you see the ants and what they look like. A photo helps. We send quote details within 30 minutes.

Request a free quote to get started.