With its blend of urban neighbourhoods, forested parks, and scenic waterfronts, Burnaby offers the perfect environment for ants to thrive. The city’s mild, wet climate, combined with dense residential and commercial development, makes ant infestations a common issue for homes and businesses. As temperatures rise in the spring and summer, species like carpenter ants and pavement ants become especially active, often invading indoor spaces in search of food, water, and shelter.
If you’re dealing with an ant problem in Burnaby, Abell Pest Control is here to help. Our local pest control experts understand the unique challenges faced by property owners in the Lower Mainland. We take a comprehensive approach, starting with a detailed inspection to identify entry points and attractants, followed by customized treatments designed to eliminate ants at the source and prevent them from coming back.
Effective ant control begins with accurate identification. Each species has its own habits, nesting behaviours, and preferred environments, which means a one-size-fits-all treatment won’t work. Our trained Burnaby technicians are skilled at identifying local ant species and applying targeted solutions that work quickly and provide long-term protection.
Common Ant Species and the Challenges They Present:
One of the most common signs of a carpenter ant problem is spotting large, black ants indoors during warmer months. These ants’ tunnel into wood to create nests, especially in moist or decaying areas like attics, wall studs, and windows. Unlike termites, they do not eat wood but cause similar damage through excavation. They usually gain access via cracks, wood rot, or roof eaves. Outdoors, they nest in logs or tree stumps. Carpenter ants are nocturnal, so nighttime activity is often the first clue of their presence.
Citronella Ant (Large Yellow Ant)
Often spotted during mating flights, the citronella ant (also called the yellow ant) gives off a citronella-like scent when squished. Preferring moist, sheltered nesting areas like garden soil or rotting logs, this ant consumes honeydew rather than household food. Though not harmful, its appearance inside homes during swarms can be unsettling.
Pavement ants are a common sight in residential areas, especially near concrete walkways and foundations. They’re small, dark in colour, and tend to move in long, organized trails. These ants can enter homes through even the smallest cracks around doors and windows. Though they’re mostly harmless, they are capable of stinging or biting when disturbed.
These tiny yellow ants are highly adaptable indoor pests. Pharaoh ants form large, multi-queen colonies and reproduce by budding, making infestations difficult to contain. They prefer warm, moist spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms, or hidden voids behind walls. Often found in healthcare facilities, apartment complexes, and food-handling areas, they pose a threat by spreading pathogens and contaminating food and sterile surfaces.
Big-headed ants stand out because of their unusually large heads, which are much bigger than their bodies. They favor nesting in soil-rich environments around homes, such as under patio slabs, wood piles, and foundations. While not destructive to property, they can create persistent problems due to the sheer volume of ants in a colony. Though outdoor insects by nature, they may enter buildings when weather conditions change. These ants are especially common in subtropical regions across the globe.
European fire ants can quickly become a major nuisance in outdoor environments. These aggressive insects prefer to nest in damp, shaded areas like gardens, under stones, and in decaying organic matter. Their painful stings can make outdoor activities uncomfortable or even unbearable.
How Do I Know If Ants Are Nesting in My Home?
Signs you may have ants inside include visible trails on countertops or walls, piles of fine debris like sawdust near baseboards, and flying ants indoors. Ants often gather near food or water, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. If you notice these signs repeatedly, it’s best to get a professional inspection.
What Are the Most Common Ant Species Found Inside Homes?
Homeowners in Canada often encounter ants like carpenter ants, pavement ants, and pharaoh ants indoors. Carpenter ants’ tunnel through wet or rotting wood, pavement ants build nests in pavement cracks, and pharaoh ants can quickly infest entire buildings. Accurate identification is the first step to effective treatment.
What Steps Can I Take to Prevent Ants in My House?
Are Some Ants More Problematic Than Others?
Yes, certain ants can be more than just a nuisance. Carpenter ants can weaken wooden structures, fire ants are aggressive and can sting, and pharaoh ants are known to spread contaminants in sensitive areas like hospitals and kitchens. The risk depends on the type of ant and where the infestation is located.
How Can I Tell If I Have Carpenter Ants or Termites?
Carpenter ants and termites both damage wood, but in different ways. Termites eat wood, while carpenter ants dig through it to build their nests. Carpenter ants are usually larger and more visible. A pest expert can tell the difference and recommend a targeted treatment plan.
Do I Need a Pest Control Service to Remove Ants or Can I Try DIY Methods?
DIY ant control methods may seem helpful at first, but they often fail to get to the heart of the problem. Ant colonies are usually hidden in hard-to-reach places like inside walls or deep underground, which makes them difficult to eliminate without expert help.
The experienced team at Abell Pest Control in Burnaby is trained to identify the species, find the source, and apply effective treatments designed for long-term results.
Book your inspection or request a quote today.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove Ants in Burnaby?
The cost of ant control in Burnaby varies depending on the severity of the infestation and the type of ant involved. In many cases, Abell can provide a free estimate by phone after asking a few simple questions about your situation.
