There are more than 14,000 different species of ant. That’s an awful lot, isn’t it? Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about all of them. While some species of ant can quite literally eat your home inside out, there are other species that you’ll never come across. Not unless you go on vacation to remote, wild places.
Ant control can be a challenge, especially because ants tend to work in huge groups. And we mean huge. There can be thousands of ants operating out of one colony at a time. If you find an ant problem on your property, you’re almost always going to need professional help to remove them. Their strength in numbers is overwhelming and if left untreated, they can cause significant damage. We’re going to discuss three of the most common Ontario ants and help you easily identify them. Once you spot them, you’ll know to call our Truly Nolen team.
Do All Species of Ant Cause Damage?
Well, no. The short answer is that not every species of ant is going to cause damage to your home. But this is mostly because in Ontario you’re not being exposed to that many different species of ant. However, don’t think you’re in the clear just yet. Ants can be devastating inside your home. Finding a line of hungry ants transferring food from your pantry back to their colony is normally a very bad sign indeed. At best, they’re going to infest some of your food and be difficult to remove. At their very worst, you could be looking at a costly home repair bill.
The Species to Look Out For
All ants are social and are incredibly quick breeders. If you find a few ants, you’re likely to already have a large number of them on your property. These are the three most common ants found in the Ontario area and some of the damage they can cause.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are capable of causing serious damage to the structure of your home. Unlike termites that actually consume the wood they chew up, carpenter ants are more interested in building nests. They’ll systematically tunnel through wooden beams and pillars to create space for nests. There are a range of different carpenter ant species, but finding any one of them is bad news. Deal with the situation as soon as possible, or the structure of your home could become extremely unstable.
Odorous House Ants
Odorous house ants do not bite or sting. Thankfully, they don’t chew up the structure of your home either. Regardless, they’re still a nuisance pest and can swarm your property with astounding numbers. They’re capable of infecting your food stocks and work in long trails. True to their name, they also release a powerful rotten smell when they’re crushed and killed. They’re still a serious and common infestation which needs professional care.
Pavement Ants
Finally, you’ll need to be wary with of pavement ants. Pavement ant colonies are normally very large and build their colonies underneath concrete slabs and patios in the back yard. This might not sound like a big problem. However, they’re certain to damage the grit, sand, and gravel used to position slabs and patios. Once that’s weakened, the foundations of your property could also become unstable.
Why You Need Professional Assistance
Now you know that ant infestations are not to be taken lightly. These tiny creatures can cause all sorts of different problems around your home and they’re all serious. Get in touch with our Truly Nolen team today. We’ll control and remove your ant infestation fast, and make sure your home’s left completely safe.