1. Your DIY approach didn’t work

At ICE Pest Control, we’ve been called in more times than we can say to help Toronto-area homeowners who have tried anti-poison pods and DIY sprays only to realize they have made the problem worse. Sometimes they end up even attracting more ants, and of a different kind.

Another common DIY error seen by our pest control experts in areas such as Brampton, Mississauga and Burlington is the use of old wives’ remedies. Many seemingly natural “organic” products, such as Boric acid and orange oil, are actually more toxic than the commercial pest control preparations we use.

2. You’re not sure what you’re dealing with
We say, “know your enemy.” Identifying the kind of insect you’re dealing with will help you decide if you should call in a pest control service to assist with ant control. With carpenter ants, for example, simply spraying scout ants can lead the colony to scatter and set up satellite nests in order to survive. If this happens, you’ve just quadrupled your problem.
Here’s an overview of the kinds of ants seen by our pest control experts in Toronto and the surrounding area:

• Black carpenter ants are the most common in Ontario. Black and dark red or entirely brownish-black, both kinds have elbowed antennae and measure from 6 to 25 mm long. They may have wings at mating time. Carpenter ants like to build their nests in decaying wood in moist places in the home. If you have a carpenter ant infestation, professional pest control is recommended. One of our Toronto-area ant control teams can assess your situation and suggest an extermination plan.
• Pavement ants set up colonies outdoors under landscaping bricks, pavement, cracks in driveways, etc. They may enter buildings to forage for food. Light brown to reddish, and about 2.5 to 3 mm in length, they don’t bite but can sting. Their calling card is a little pile of dirt next to an excavated hole or tunnel.
• Pharaoh ants are pale yellow to reddish and small, about 1 to 2 mm in length. They don’t bite or sting but commonly set up in homes, factories and hospitals and are hard to get rid of without the help of a pest control professional.

3. It’s that time of year
Cool weather can drive newly awakened outdoor colonies inside to look for moist wood for nesting or to forage for sweet or greasy food. If you see carpenter ants inside your home in the spring, it could be a sign that their nest is inside the building. One of our Toronto-area ant control professionals can help you pinpoint the problem and get rid of it.

Keep in mind that cleaning your house often may not be enough to manage an ant problem. Don’t waste your time feeling guilty because you can’t vacuum twice a day; instead, call an ICE ant control expert at one of our many GTA locations to get rid of them, once and for all.