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Learn about
Ants
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Pest Management for Ants and Insects
Different species of ants may differ in size classes of their workers. Many ant species including pharaoh ants are monomorphic. This means they only have one size. Big-headed ants are dimorphic and have two sizes. Ants that have several different sizes are polymorphic including carpenter ants and fire ants.
Several species of ants are prominent in Toronto and the surrounding GTA including:
An ant infestation in your home or place of business can cause discomfort and potential health concerns. Advantage Pest Control offers pest management services to combat infestation by ants, flies, fleas and a variety of other types of wildlife in North York, Scarborough, Toronto, Whitby and surrounding areas. Get in touch if you require pest management solutions today.
Our Services
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Integrated treatments using bait, liquid residual insecticide spray and/or dust combined with exclusion and prevention methods.
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Interior and exterior treatments
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Part of our Home Protection Plan – an annual pest control program that protects you from over 15 of the most common household pests including carpenter ants, pharaoh ants, and pavement ants.
Carpenter Ant Colonies
A colony typically has one queen who begins the nest under a rock, in a tree hole or a tunnel in a tree. She will lay a few eggs which will hatch to be the first workers of the colony. These are the smallest ants of the colony called Minims. These minims are given the task of foraging for food and feeding the queen and any young she produces.[idea]The queen ant will lay 22 eggs in 15 days. It takes between 60 and 70 days to reach adult stage.[/idea]
During the spring, carpenter ant colonies will produce winged male and female ants that will fly out from the nest to start a new colony. this occurs when the colony needs to expand, generally when the colony numbers more than 2,000 workers. This is what is called “swarming” it can be both male and female winged ants or just males who are ‘evicted’ by worker ants.
Carpenter ants will travel great distances in their quest for food for the queen. They have been noted foraging up to 750 feet from the nest! Carpenter ants are commonly wingless, non-reproducing adults of the worker caste. All ants live in large groups or colonies consisting of hundreds of workers, a few reproductive males and females as well as at least one queen. Mating takes place in flight by winged ants during late spring and early summer. Shortly after, the male dies and the single fertilized queen ant finds a suitable nesting place to lay eggs and begin a new colony. The small, white, oval eggs hatch into larvae. The queen continues nourishment until the larvae pupate and adult ants emerge. If warm temperatures exist, the egg to adult cycle can be completed in three months. At first, the colony is small, however, in later years the population can increase to 2000-3000 ants.
Carpenter ants live both outdoors and indoors in moist, decaying or hollow wood. They create “galleries” into the wood grain to make passageways sot hey can move throughout the nest. Certain parts of a typical Toronto home, such as the windows, roof eaves, decks and porches, are more likely to be infested by carpenter ants because these areas are most vulnerable to moisture. Carpenter ants are the largest ants that are invading homes. They seek food and harbourage. They are a wide spread pest problems, spanning across North America.
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Pharaoh Ants
Pharaoh Ants, scientifically known as Monomorium pharaonis, are a unique and fascinating species that can often be found throughout Toronto and the surrounding regions. These tiny insects, typically about 2mm long, are notable for their yellow or light brown color, almost transparent body, and the distinctive, dark abdomen. While originally native to Africa, they have adapted to live virtually anywhere, and in Toronto, they can often be found in residential and commercial buildings, causing potential issues due to their nesting habits. Pharaoh Ants prefer warm, humid conditions and are known to nest in hard-to-reach areas, often within walls, under floors, or inside insulation. Their colonies are extremely large and are unique in that they have multiple queens, which facilitates rapid population growth. Importantly, they are a particular concern in hospitals and healthcare facilities, as they are capable of transmitting a variety of pathogens. As such, if you find a Pharaoh Ant infestation in your Toronto home or business, it's important to address the situation promptly with the help of a pest control professional.
Fire Ants
Fire Ants, also known as Solenopsis species, are a remarkable and potentially problematic insect species that have been spotted in Toronto and the surrounding areas. Usually measuring between 1.6mm to 5mm, fire ants are reddish-brown in colour and are easily recognized by their aggressive behavior and the painful sting they deliver. While these ants are originally native to South America, they have successfully invaded many parts of the world, including areas of Canada. In Toronto, they can be found in various habitats, including gardens, lawns, parks, and commercial properties. Fire ants prefer warm, sunny conditions and typically build large mound-shaped nests in soil. Their colonies can consist of up to 250,000 workers and multiple queens, which enables a quick increase in their population. Their stings, which cause painful, itchy bumps, can be a serious concern, particularly for those with allergies. Should you spot fire ants on your property, it's essential to respond swiftly and consider seeking help from a pest control expert to ensure their complete eradication.
Pavement Ants
Fire Ants, also known as Solenopsis species, are a remarkable and potentially problematic insect species that have been spotted in Toronto and the surrounding areas. Usually measuring between 1.6mm to 5mm, fire ants are reddish-brown in colour and are easily recognized by their aggressive behavior and the painful sting they deliver. While these ants are originally native to South America, they have successfully invaded many parts of the world, including areas of Canada. In Toronto, they can be found in various habitats, including gardens, lawns, parks, and commercial properties. Fire ants prefer warm, sunny conditions and typically build large mound-shaped nests in soil. Their colonies can consist of up to 250,000 workers and multiple queens, which enables a quick increase in their population. Their stings, which cause painful, itchy bumps, can be a serious concern, particularly for those with allergies. Should you spot fire ants on your property, it's essential to respond swiftly and consider seeking help from a pest control expert to ensure their complete eradication.
Ant Colony Roles
Queen Ants
The queen is usually the largest individual in the colony. Her first and most important duty is to find a good nesting location. Many species of ants have several colonies (called satellite colonies). This includes pharaoh ants, little black ants, crazy ants and pavement ants. The queen mates only once but continues to produce offspring until she dies. In some species (predominately the pharaoh ant) feeding the larvae in a special way will cause her to become a queen.
Male Ants
The male’s eyes are larger thus he can see the queen better. His sole purpose is to mate with the queen. He dies within two weeks after mating. He is winged but he cannot fly very well and often mating occurs on the ground as is the case with Pharaoh Ants.
Worker Ants
Workers are female ants that cannot reproduce. These are the majority of the ants inside a colony. Of these very few actually venture outside of the colony looking for food. This means that the number of ants actually seen outside of the nest is only 5% of the colony. These are typically the older workers. The remaining workers are younger in age and specialize in food relating, food storage, caring for the young stages of development (i.e. larvae) and nest maintenance.
Polymorphic ants divide their workers into three grounds. These are designated by the size of the ant. The smallest ants tend to the young. Medium ants gather food and do light nest maintenance. The largest form do heavy housekeeping chores and nest defense. Dimorphic ants divide their workers into two types of workers: small and large. The smallest ants tend to the brood of larvae and the queen while the larger ants take care of nest maintenance, food, and nest defense. Workers in monomorphic ant colonies are given their tasks by age. They perform all duties in the nest at different phases of their lives.
Ants Residential Services
Interior Services
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No one wants to have ants inside their home. In addition to the stress that they emotionally can cause the homeowner, as a wood-boring pest, they can cause serious damage structurally to a home. Whether you have a detached, semi-detached, apartment or condominium unit, we have a program that will be suited to you.
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Exterior Services
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Exterior services are available to protect foundations and other structural elements of your property. There can be multiple carpenter ant nests in gardens, wood piles and backyards.
Ants Commercial Services
Restaurants
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Ants can be a tough pest to battle in restaurants. Firstly, because of the food element, it can be very attractive for ants to infest a restaurant. This is unsightly and can create a negative image to potential customers. Secondly, wood boring insects like carpenter ants can be detrimental to the structure of any building
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Industrial Buildings
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Ants can be a frequent visitor in businesses that have shipments or receive packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q. How many eggs will the common cockroach lay in one batch? I have just found a dead cockroach with one egg sack.A. The female will lay up to forty eggs at one time. Some species will mate only once and they will remain pregnant for the rest of their lives. Adults will live for an average of eight to fifteen months. Cockroaches reproduce on an average of four times per year.
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Q. What attracts cockroaches?A. Cockroaches are attracted to food, water, warmth, and shelter. They will eat anything and are particularly attracted to starchy foodstuffs.
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Q. When are cockroaches most common?A. Cockroaches are active year-round.
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Q. When am I most likely to see cockroaches?A. Cockroaches are nocturnal and are most active at night. Any sudden light will cause them to scurry for shelter.
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Q. Are cockroaches only found under unclean conditions?A. No. They can be found under the cleanest conditions, whenever food and warmth are present. For this reason they are a major problem in hospitals, hotels, restaurants, bakeries, butcher shops, multi-unit residences and homes. Their habitat is around sinks, behind stoves and refrigerators, in drains and cracks.
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Q. Do cockroaches cause damage?A. No. The presence of cockroaches is not normally associated with damage to buildings or vegetation.
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Q. Are cockroaches hazardous to humans?A. Yes, Cockroaches are second only to house flies in spreading disease. Because of their movements through various habitats, including refuse heaps and sewers, they are capable of transmitting disease to man, including salmonella bacteria (food poisoning), polio and many forms of viruses.
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Q. Do cockroaches die off in the cold months?A. No. These are hardy and very adaptable insects are primarily Indoor pests and infestations are not affected by temperature..
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Q. Can I do anything to prevent a cockroach infestation?A. Although little can be done to prevent an infestation, the Practice of good sanitation and the elimination of accessible food are ways to minimize the extent of the infestation. Careful inspection of produce or packages entering the building can help prevent cockroaches from establishing themselves in your building.
