Ants (most common)
European Fire Ants
The adult European fire ant worker is 4-5mm and reddish brown. This species is spreading rapidly throughout areas of Ontario and can be problematic in yards and structures. They can especially be found around gardens, parks and play structures. They are aggressive stinging ants that do not have a defined nest but forage above ground on the plants, shrubs and trees. These ants will deliver a painful sting which in a few cases have caused severe allergic reactions.
Feild Ant
Field Ants can be red, brown or black and measure 3-9.5 mm. These ants build large mounds in soil outdoors causing damage to landscaping. They do not nest indoors, they typically eat dead insects along with sweet materials like saps, nectars and fruits.
Acrobat Ant
Measuring 3-6mm, brown to black and having a heart shaped gaster over their thorax, the adult acrobat ant lives in moist wood, soil and under rocks. This ant typically can be found climbing high beams indoors, pushing debris out from voids where wet wood is present, constructing colonies where they thrive. This species feeds on sweet material and protein sources.
Pavement Ant
Pavement ants are brown/ black and measure 3-4mm. The thorax and head have parallel lines. These ants nest in soil, beneath slabs of concrete/foundations, under patio slabs and between walls. They usually are found on counter tops in kitchens during summer months, they prefers oils and greases but will eat insects and sweets.
Pharaoh Ant
Pharaoh ants as adults are 1.5mm, yellow/light brown-red in colour and the club at the end of the antennae has 3 segments. This tiny species of ants is the most difficult to control due to the fact that they have multiple colonies. They feed on proteins and sugars, foraging long distances. This ant species has multiple queens, colonies can get up to populations of 300,000.
Carpenter Ant
Carpenter ant workers are 6-13mm and the queen is 25mm. They are reddish brown or black, have large mandibles rounded thoraxes, a single node and cone hairs on the abdomen tip. The carpenter ant takes advantage of structural wood that is moist or has had water damage in areas such as wall voids, ceilings, window and door frames. They do not eat wood but instead make colonies in wood and excavate debris. These ants can be seen at any time of the year indoors. They will travel long distances from their nest searching for food and are most active during the night. Several so-called satellite colonies may be constructed in the same structure. Colonies can continue to mature for 3-6 years at which time 3000 or more members maybe present. Carpenter Ants concentrate an antifreeze like substance similar to ethylene glycol in their blood to reduce freezing. While over wintering they feed on plant materials, insects and household food products.