Ant Infestations after Rain in Milton and Mississauga Homes

The heavy rain of late has also brought the invasion of ant infestations into homes in Milton and Mississauga. When an ant nest is flooded by unexpected rain, the ants move to find a dryer location, search for food and water. Ants come into homes by leaking through cracks around the foundation, holes around doors and windows, and by being drawn to moisture and food through holes around pipes, electrical lines and gas lines. If you notice ants emerging from different areas of your home after it rains, it is likely that you have a live colony present and not just a few rogue ants wandering around. Understanding the species, sealing entry points, removing moisture from the home and conducting a controlled extermination of the colony are all keys to preventing ants from taking up residence in your home.

Seeing ants infestation in your home after the rain? Contact us today for an inspection and let our insured and bonded experts team handle it before it becomes a bigger problem.

Why Heavy Rain Pushes Ants into Homes?

Flooding caused by heavy rainfall removes the majority of the habitats ants use to nest. Most nests for ants are located under ground level, on rocks, or along building foundations. As they become flooded, ants are left with no choice but to move into nearby structures.

The sequence of events:

• Flooding of nest = Immediate relocation of nest

• Warmth and moisture= Regular access to food and water

• High humidity, especially inside kitchens and basements

Rainfall is common in areas like Milton and Mississauga, and therefore, homeowners must deal with the invasion of ants into their residences. Homeowners may want to consider checking their homes periodically for water leaks or cracks in the foundation.

Ant Species Found in Milton and Mississauga

Despite the number of ant species, identifying the particular type of ant is critical to determining the proper treatment for the infestation. There are many kinds of ants, but some of the most common in homes in Milton and Mississauga include:

Carpenter ants:

– Black or dark brown in color.

– Larger than most other types of ants.

– Carpenter ants chew through wood and will leave behind sawdust debris.

Pavement ants:

– Pavement (small, dark) ants are usually found at the outside edges of driveways and sidewalks.

– They enter our homes through any left unsealed cracks in around the foundations.

Odorous house ants:

– Odorous (tiny, brown) house ants have a rotten coconut smell when crushed.

– They generally create long trails to food sources.

If there were one ant type that you should be concerned about, it would be the big size carpenter ants. They may potentially (with time) weaken wood (inside walls) in damp areas. In addition, they are a potential long-term threat to a home. If you suspect carpenter ants in your home, contact our team immediately — the sooner they are treated, the less damage they can cause.

How Do Ants Enter Your Home?

Ants don’t show up in your home without some reason. They follow established entry points and survival behaviors. Ants will get into your home through:

– Cracks in foundations or walls,

– Gaps around windows or doors,

– Openings around pipes/utility lines.

Ants will remain in the house once they have access to:

– Food products (especially sugary foods),

– Leftover pet food,

– Moisture (from leaks or spills) in the kitchen, bathroom, or basement.

Signs That You Have More Than Just a Few Ants Around

While it is easy to overlook a few ants, recurring sightings of them in your home usually indicate a larger issue.

If you spot the following signs, you likely have an ant infestation:

· Persistent trails of ants, especially on walls or countertops

· Ants being seen in multiple rooms

·.

Ant Infestations Control Professionals Serving Homes in Milton and Mississauga

Do-It-Yourself products typically do not address the complete problem. The focus of a professional solution is to completely remove the infestation by targeting and eliminating the source.

Ant control professionals typically offer:

· A thorough inspection of your home to identify where ants are getting into your home and where the nest is located

· The use of bait strategically placed to target the entire colony

· The use of targeted treatments in areas of high ant activity

· The continuation of monitoring visits to ensure the removal of the infestation

The difference between using a professional pest control company and using Do-It-Yourself spray is that professionals treat for the entire colony instead of just those ants you see.

This is particularly important in Milton and Mississauga due to the area’s continually damp soil from rain, which can create the potential for periodic infestations if the problem is not resolved.

Preventing an Ant Infestation after Rain

Prevention is just as important as treatment, and especially, you should prepare your home for the next storm.

Here are some tips to prevent ants from entering your home:

1.    Seal off all entry points by using caulks around doors, windows, and foundations

2.    Reduce the amount of moisture in your home by repairing any leaks and improving the ventilation in your home

3.    Store dried, shelf-stable food items in tightly sealed containers, and clean up food spills and crumbs immediately

4.    Maintain the exterior of your home by keeping the soil and mulch away from the base of your home and trimming shrubs and plants that are touching your home

5.    Seasonally, the peak time for ant activity in the area of Milton and Mississauga occurs during the spring and fall months.

When to Reach Out for A Professional Reliable Help?

Products you can buy in stores target infestations from the outside. They only kill the ants you can see while leaving the colony unharmed. Professional ant control is not like that. It approaches the problem from the other side of the infestation.

What can professional pest control company services guarantee you?

– They inspect the entire property severely.
– They kill the entire colony with their spray and baiting strategies.
– They systematically treat each spot the ants are most likely to be at hiding.
– After the infestation is treated, they visit you to see if you still have your infestation and fix it.

Follow up visits are important for all homes, and especially those in Milton and Mississauga where the wet soil conditions are likely to harbor the ants as long as the infestation is not fully dealt with.

Call Our Exterminators today (905) 582-5502. We’ll take care of the whole colony, and not just the ants you can see to kill!

“Frequently Asked Questions”

What causes an increase in the number of ants I see after it rains?

The flooding of outdoor colonies from rain forces the ants to seek refuge in a shelter and to search for a food source that is located in your home.

Are the ants in my kitchen dangerous?

Most species of ants are not harmful to humans or animals. However, ants can contaminate stored food .This may mean there are a bunch of other nests or colonies somewhere else in the house.

Should I get an insecticide that kills ants myself?

Most insecticides only target the ants you see and will not eliminate the entire colony. Baits and targeted applications will help over time.

Will I need to contact my neighbors, or the property manager, if my pest control service only treats one unit in a townhouse or condo for an ant infestation?

Yes, if the ants are migrating to/from other units, then it is recommended to have your neighbors or the property manager involved.

How can I stop ants from getting back into the house after it rains?

To effectively prevent ants from entering a home after it rains, it is important to eliminate the potential for entry points and fix any moisture problems. Store all foods in airtight containers, and have regular pest inspections.