Know Your Ant
Not all ant problems are the same. Pavement ants trail in from outside, usually through foundation gaps and door thresholds, and are the small dark ants most people see in kitchens each spring. Carpenter ants are the big ones, and they matter more, because they excavate galleries in damp or damaged wood to nest. Around here we find them in older homes, in decks and fence lines, and anywhere moisture has softened wood. Pharaoh ants are the small pale ants that show up in warm indoor spaces and demand a careful approach, since the wrong treatment can split a colony into several.
Correct identification drives everything we do, which is why every ant job starts with an inspection rather than a blanket spray.
How We Treat
Treatment is targeted to nesting and trailing zones, interior and exterior as the situation calls for. For ants trailing in from outdoors, an exterior application along the foundation, entry points and trails intercepts them where they travel. Where a colony has established itself inside the structure, especially with carpenter ants, we treat the nest zone directly, because surface spray alone will knock down foragers without finishing an established colony. That distinction, colony or no colony, is the honest difference between a quick fix and a lasting one, and we will tell you plainly which situation you have.
A follow up visit is available to confirm results, and with carpenter ants we also point out the moisture conditions that attracted them so the problem does not rebuild.
Keeping Ants From Coming Back
Ant control lasts longest when the conditions that invited them change too. Moisture is the big one for carpenter ants, so fix dripping outdoor taps, clear gutters that overflow against the fascia, and deal with any wood that stays damp, including old stumps and landscape ties near the foundation. For pavement ants, sealing obvious gaps at thresholds and foundation cracks removes the easy highways, and keeping sweet spills and pet food cleaned up indoors removes the reason to make the trip.
Trees and shrubs touching the house deserve a trim as well, since carpenter ants happily use branches as a bridge straight past your foundation. Your technician will point out anything on your property that stands out during service.
Serving Winona, Grimsby, Stoney Creek and Beyond
Ridge Pest Control is based in Winona and Grimsby, and this service runs throughout our home communities of Winona, Grimsby and Stoney Creek, across Hamilton, Ancaster, Binbrook and the mountain, and through the Niagara side including Beamsville, Vineland, St. Catharines, Welland and Niagara Falls, out to Burlington, Oakville and the wider Golden Horseshoe. Ant calls surge every spring across the region as colonies wake up and start foraging, so booking ahead of the rush gets you the best scheduling options.
Straightforward Quoting
Every job starts with a free quote and a straight answer. Tell us what you are seeing by phone, text or the quote form, and we will tell you what a spring ant treatment involves for your property, what it costs and what results to expect, before any work is booked. No pressure, no upselling, and if the smaller option genuinely fits your situation, that is the one we will recommend. Quotes come back within one business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have carpenter ants?
Size is the first clue. Carpenter ants are noticeably larger than pavement ants, and you may see them most active in the evening. Fine wood shavings near baseboards, window frames or deck posts are another sign. If you are unsure, send us a photo or book an inspection.
Do carpenter ants mean my house has damage?
Not necessarily, but they should never be ignored. Carpenter ants nest in wood that moisture has already softened, so their presence often points to a damp spot worth addressing. Dealt with early, most carpenter ant issues are resolved before meaningful damage occurs.
Why do the ants keep coming back every spring?
Seasonal pavement ant pressure is normal in our region. A spring exterior treatment typically keeps them out for the season, and our House Protection Plan keeps coverage in place year round.
Can I just use ant traps from the store?
Consumer baits can knock down light pavement ant activity, but they are hit and miss on species and useless against an established carpenter ant colony in the structure. If baits have not solved it in a couple of weeks, or if the ants are large, it is time for a targeted professional treatment.
