Carpenter Ants
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter Ants
Large ants observed inside which are all black or have a little bit of red are likely carpenter ants. These invaders have been prevalent in cottage country and are showing no signs of slowing down!
Mound Ants
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter Ants
If you're seeing larger ants that aren't quite all black, but rather have a clear abdomen (rear body section) with black stripes, you're probably dealing with mound ants, as pictured here. Click here for further information and pricing.
Acrobat Ants
Harvester Ants
Harvester Ants
Small, black ants that show up in large numbers are usually acrobat ants. While they don't cause nearly as mush structural damage as carpenter ants, they do burrow into wood and insulation and can be harmful to the ego when trying to entertain while ants scurry steadily through your kitchen. Check out our acrobat ant section for more information.
Harvester Ants
Harvester Ants
Harvester Ants
Smaller ants with a red head and thorax and a mighty sting might be harvester ants. Their colonies are massive but they stay outside. Read more about them here.
Acrobat Ants
You know those ants that march two by two? They very well might be acrobat ants. They show up - in kitchens mainly - around February-March, as soon as the daylength or photoperiod starts increasing. And they come in droves all summer and into the fall. While they aren't hazardous, these ants are unsightly and relentlessly busy, forever travelling in and out of the kitchen in search of food. One treatment is usually effective depending on the size of the colony and we will typically offer a 90 day guarantee on the service, which starts around $250 and is chemical free!
Mound Ants
Mound ants live outside and create large mounds, as the name suggests. They do not tend to bite or cause structural damage so for the most part, we just leave them be. If they are getting into your space, it is likely due to curiosity and they should soon make their way back outside. If you want to keep them out, we can apply a barrier to the outside of your home/cottage/business. Contact us today to identify your ants and offer suggestions for solutions!
Harvester Ants
With huge colonies that can be aggressive when disturbed, it's a good thing harvester ants stay outside. It's a bad thing when they're all over your patio or walkway, though.
There are 22 species of harvester ant and most of the available research that has been done has taken place in Texas, Florida, or other dry areas which harvester ants frequent. We can still apply knowledge of their behaviour and habitat learned from these studies to help you out if need be!
We can offer a chemical free treatment for harvester ants or suggest a DIY fix for those on tight schedules. Contact us today if they are pestering you!
Ants in the Kitchen
There are two main species of ants that tend to show up in large numbers in the kitchen. Carpenter ants can also show up in the kitchen but can be spotted anywhere throughout the house.
Acrobat ants, shown here against a finger tip, are much smaller than carpenter ants but easy to see. They have a very thin thorax (mid section) and a heart shaped abdomen with a sharp point on their back end. They tend to travel in a steady line and are often spotted in the kitchen.
Pharaoh ants are not pictured here because they are really, really, ridiculously small. They're almost microscopic but they share a lot of behavioural traits with acrobat ants. They arrive in the kitchen in huge numbers and often in a steady line. The size will give it away though.
For more ant diagnostics check out our ant page to know what you're looking at, and how we can help get rid of them!
Flying Ants
Every ant colony and species contains individuals with wings, these are the reproductive males and females. They tend to arrive in high numbers as they 'swarm' in order to find a new spot to start a secondary colony.
If you're seeing winged ants inside it means one of 2 things: either there is a colony inside already and the reproductives are swarming to expand numbers elsewhere, or there is a colony outside somewhere and they want to start a new colony inside. Either way, the first step is to identify what kind of ants they are. Check out our ant page in order to do so and get further information on what we can do to help!
Termites
We have yet to positively identify termites in cottage country. It doesn't mean it's impossible, and it doesn't mean they aren't coming - in this industry, we never say never! So far, though, they haven't made it here, and thankfully so. If you're seeing piles of wood shavings in your home or cottage, it's likely carpenter ants.