Ant Control Calgary

Ant Extermination Process

Ant Extermination is a process to control, remove or exterminate the ants infestation inside any structure by using environmental friendly, and effective tools and techniques. More than 100 species of ants are found in Canada. Black Carpenter, Little Black, Pavement ants, Pharaoh ants, Thatching ants, Cornfield ants and Odorous House Ants are prevalent in Calgary and nearby areas. Our pest control technicians are highly educated and experienced in ant removal in Calgary and surrouding area And we provide an affordable ant control treatment. 

During the process of Ant Extermination, our company follows these steps to control the ant infestation in any types of structure:

1. Identification of Ants
2. Biology of Ants
3. Inspection of Ant infestation Level
4. Methods of Ants Control
5. Monitoring the Infestation Level After the Treatment
6. How We Remove Ants

Identification of Ants

Correct identification of the different ant species and also locating all of the ant colonies in or around the property is the first step for successful ant control program.  Ants have chewing mouthparts. Their antennae are elbowed at the first joint.  Normally the mature males and females have wings but the worker are wingless. The following Ants' species are found in Calgary, Alberta.

1. Black Carpenter Ants: They are dark brown or black. The adults burrow into wood to create nests. Fine sawdust that is expelled from the nest will indicate the location. The size of queen is 10-15 mm whereas, the size of males and workers are less than 10 mm. These insects may enter buildings in search of food. They feed on sweet liquid. They can bite humans.

2. Little Black Ants: Their color is jet black. They live under rocks or other areas free of vegetation. They feed on sweet liquid and may enter buildings in search of food. They have a mutualism with aphids because aphids provide sugar-rich honeydew as a source of food for these ants and they protect the aphids against various natural enemies.

3. Pavement Ants:  Dark brown with stinger esting: They live along sidewalks and foundations of buildings, near firewood, stones, brick, mulch, etc. They eat dead insects, greasy food, sweets, pet food.
 
4. Pharaoh Ants: This species is a tiny ant, with a size of 2mm.  The body color is pale yellow. lt is found in most urban centers in Canada. Pharaoh ants prefer warmer buildings and warm areas (26-29"C) in buildings for nesting. These ants are active year-round in heated buildings such as hospitals, office buildings, laboratory buildings, and food service facilities. These ant feed on a variety of materials including sweets, grease, meats, fatty foods.

5. Odorous House Ants: They have black color with the size of 2.4 to 3.3 mm. When crushed they give distinct odor. 

6. Cornfield Ants: They have a reddish brown color. Their size is 2 to 2.5 mm. Winged males are small and black whereas, winged females are large honey color. They are present from Late July to mid Sep.  

7. Thatching Ants: They have black or red head and black abdomen and thorax with the size of 3 to 9 mm. They are active in late summer. 

These species of ants are most prevalent in Calgary, Alberta

To Learn More About Ants Identification, visit ant identification. 

Biology of Ants

Ants are social insects. Their colony contain three casts:

1. Worker (Sterile wingless females) 
2. Winged Males
3. Queens (Females with wings)

Most mature ant colonies produce winged males and reproductive females during early spring or summer. They will mate in the air and then the males die. The females then find cavity and lose their wings. The females remain there to lay their eggs. Ants undergo complete metamorphosis starting with the eggs hatching into tiny, white, legless grubs (larvae)' The larvae are fed with salivary secretions from the female's stored fat cells and the breakdown of her now useless wing muscles. After several molts, the larvae change into soft, white, pupae that look like motionless, white adults. When the pupae have matured they molt into the adult stage. Queens (reproductive females) may live for many years and produce eggs for the subsequent broods that go on to make the colony. worker (non-reproductive females) tend the eggs, larvae, and pupae, forage for food and enlarge and defend the colony   Development from egg to adult takes from 38 to 45 days.

Inspection of Ants Infestation Level

Monitoring the extent of infestation is a vital step in any ant extermination program and this is called inspection of ant infestation level. We inspect the infestation level inside and also ouside structure to decide the effective treatment plan. 

Inside the Structure: The  following areas should be inspected for ant presence and behaviour: 
1. Holes and cracks in and around door frames . 
2. Areas under sinks, in ceilings or in basements where there are old or new moisture stains
3. Food storage areas in kitchens especially in and around appliances and compost/recycling areas o lunchrooms and areas where food is eaten, especially if foods are left in open containers (eg. fruit bowls, sugar containers etc.)
4. Around bath tubs and showers. 

Outside the Structure: The  following areas should be inspected for worker ant presence:
1. Behind vines, shrubs, other plants near the house
2. Cracks in the foundation, expansion joints
3. Slabs, patio blocks, bricks, boards, plant pots o under and inside wooded columns and pillars . 
4. Outside door and window frames
5. Penetrations of the house wall by telephone wires, air-conditioning refrigerant pipes . 
6. Gaps or cracks around plumbing outlets such as outdoor taps
7. Trees that harbour colonies and provide access to houses by overhanging limbs that touch or even scratch shingles and also inspect plants for ants tending aphids or mealybugs
8. Water/electrical metres 
9. Wood in contact with soil (eg. stacked firewood, especially if it is stacked against the house), rotting tree stumps, compost areas, storm drain inspection manholes.

Methods of Ants Control

There are different methods to control ant infestation within the structure. 

Physical Method To Control Ants Problem:
In this method, we encourge our clients to practicse Good Housekeeping. For example, food and food waste should be stored in containers with tight fitting lids to eliminate access by ants. . Living spaces, office and storage spaces should be kept as free debris as possible. Second thing, we recommend sealing the foundation cracks and space between door and frames and the structure, plumbing, electrical and other openings into the structure with silicone caulking.

Habitat Alteration To Remove The Ants:
It is a through, long term ant management program involves correcting any conditions in and around the structure that may be contributing to the infestation. It may be necessary to wall penetrations and mortar masonry cracks, caulk door and window frames, repair waterleaks, trim shrubbery away from the house, move firewood stacked against the house, and control ant tended aphids and mealybugs.

Chemical Method To Eliminate The Ants Infestation:
To conduct this method, trained and experienced Pest Control Technicians are required for the safety. There are three different options we can adopt to eliminate thd Ants infestation.

1. Bait: Baits with stomach poisons or with insect growth regulators can be used to control ants. Baits are excellent in critical areas (e.g., computer or hospital rooms) as the insecticide is sealed within the bait station so does not expose fragile equipment or people to the bait. Baits or bait materials should never be stored where they can be contaminated with any other odours especially fumes of other pesticides. Ants and other insects can detect minute amounts of foreign or repellant chemicals.

2. Dust: Dusts can be used in wall voids and crack and crevice treatments. Dust such as Ditomaceous and Silica Gel have a drying effect on insects. Boric acid powder has a low toxicity to humans but acts as a stomach poison for ants. These dusts are effective when blown into cracks and wall voids before they are sealed.

3. Sprays: S prays may also be used in crack and crevice treatments. Wettable powders and microeneapsulated spray formulations can be applied where pesticides may be absorbed into surfaces without damage to the surface. Spot treatments can be used when necessary. Some pesticides have ant repellant activity and force ants to spread their infestations to other parts of the structure. So hire trained Pest Control Technicians to coduct the spray treatment. 

Monitoring the Infestation Level of Ants After Treatment 

Monitoring the infestation level after the treatment is a very vital step in Ant Extermination Management Program. We do by interviewing or clients to get information where ants are being noticed and the extent of the infestation. From there, the ant infestation should be determined by observing ant worker movement and determining the extent of the infestation. After taht we decide that there is any need for another treatment or not.

How We Remove Ants

• Technician will start by checking the exterior and interior of your home to locate any ant’s nest and hill.
• Technician may set up and implement a program by using insects’ monitors, liquid sprays, dust and/or bait stations according to the situation and infestation level.
• During implementing ants control measures, we adopt all safety precautions
• If infestation is high and  deep then we recommend a second treatment after one month of the first treatment 

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