Ant Exterminator in Montreal, Certified and Guaranteed Service

Carpenter ants, pharaoh ants and pavement ants: why identification matters

Not all ants are treated the same way. Identifying the species allows SOS Extermination to choose the right treatment, target the colony and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Carpenter ants

Carpenter ants dig galleries in wood to build their nests. They are often linked to damp wood, walls, window frames and weakened structures.

Because they require a specific approach, we dedicate a full service to them: our carpenter ant exterminator page details the signs, where satellite nests are located and the treatment method.

Pharaoh ants

Pharaoh ants are small, discreet and common in heated buildings, kitchens, bathrooms and apartment buildings. The wrong treatment splits up the colony and makes the infestation worse. A suitable method, based on baits rather than a scattering spray, is therefore essential.

Pavement ants and odorous house ants

Pavement ants are often found near foundations, sidewalks, entrances, outdoor cracks and concrete areas. Odorous house ants, for their part, show up mainly in the warm season and go looking for sugar.

Both species come into homes or businesses to look for food. The treatment has to target the trails, the outdoor nests and the entry points.

How do ants get into your home?

In Montreal, ants get into buildings when they find food, moisture, warmth or shelter. They sometimes establish colonies near the foundation before moving inside.

Cracks, windows, doors and foundations

Ants come in through cracks in the foundation, gaps around doors, poorly sealed windows and openings around cables. Even a small opening becomes a regular route toward a food source.

Damp wood, walls and hidden areas

Carpenter ants often look for damp or weakened wood. They settle in walls, window frames, crawl spaces, ceilings or structures near a water leak. A professional inspection spots these at-risk areas before the colony spreads.

Vegetation, branches and outdoor access points

Branches, shrubs, woodpiles, compost and potted plants near the building encourage the presence of ants. They sometimes use these elements as a way into the walls, the windows or the roof.

What attracts ants to your home?

An ant infestation is often linked to sources of food, water or shelter around the building. By correcting these factors, you improve the chances of lasting control.

Food sources, moisture and shelter to correct

Ants are mainly attracted by crumbs and food scraps, sugary foods, pet food, poorly closed garbage bins, moisture and water leaks. Damp or damaged wood, compost and cracks round out the list of favourable conditions.

To reduce the risk, clean up spills quickly, keep food in sealed containers, repair leaks and keep vegetation away from the building.

When should you call a professional ant exterminator?

It is best to call an exterminator as soon as the activity becomes frequent or signs of a colony appear. The faster the intervention, the easier it is to limit the spread.

Ants visible indoors

Seeing a few ants near a food source may seem minor, but a repeated presence often indicates an active colony. If the ants come back after cleaning, professional treatment becomes necessary.

Sawdust, sounds or signs in the walls

Traces of sawdust, faint sounds in the walls or ants near woodwork can indicate carpenter ant activity. These signs must be taken seriously, especially in older buildings.

Visible nests or activity near the foundation

Nests outside, regular trails near the foundation or ants coming in through doors and windows often signal a developing infestation.

Our other extermination services in Montreal

• Carpenter ant exterminator
• Rat exterminator
• Mouse exterminator
• Cockroach exterminator
• Wasp exterminator
• Spider exterminator
• Field mouse exterminator
• Bed bug exterminator