Ants

Size: 1.5mm - 13mm
Colour: brown, red, black

Ants are one of the most common household pests found throughout Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. With thousands of species worldwide, only a small number commonly invade homes and businesses. Common ants found in British Columbia include pavement ants, odorous house ants, pharaoh ants, and carpenter ants.

Ants are social insects that live in organized colonies, often containing thousands of individuals. They typically enter buildings in search of food, water, and shelter, creating trails along walls, windows, foundations, kitchens, and other areas where food sources are available.

While many ant species are primarily a nuisance, they can contaminate food, become difficult to control once established, and create ongoing problems for homeowners and businesses. Some species, such as pharaoh ants, can be particularly challenging to eliminate because colonies may split and create new nests when improperly treated.

Store-bought ant sprays and DIY treatments often only eliminate the ants you can see, while leaving the colony and queen protected. Effective ant control requires identifying the species, locating entry points, and targeting the colony itself.

At PreventX, our technicians use an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to identify the source of ant activity, apply targeted treatments, and recommend preventative measures to help stop ants from returning.