It’s okay to worry about finding ants in the house. Some, like carpenter ants, can seriously damage your home. They tunnel through wood timbers, weakening the structure.

Other ants are an unpleasant nuisance. They may appear suddenly in great numbers, trailing across countertops and contaminating your food.

Should you worry about getting rid of ants outside the house? That depends. Ants are important in nature. They aerate the soil and are food for other critters.

Still, you probably don’t want ants looking for food right next to your home because they might find a way indoors. And you certainly don’t want European fire ants in the yard. They can sting you and your pets.

What should I do if I find ants inside or outside the house?

First, identify the ant. Seven types of ants commonly cause problems in Canada. The more you understand their biology and behaviour, the better you can get rid of them.

Say you have odorous house ants. Some ant killers make these ants panic and split into multiple colonies. If you don’t know this before spraying ant killer, you might create a bigger ant problem.

Next, inspect thoroughly to determine where the ants are active. Follow their trail to the nest. This helps you figure out where to place ant traps.

Then, make use of the best DIY ant killers in Canada. Pest HQ sells nature-based products that get professional-grade results. It also has an extensive online library of ant control tips to guide you.

Questions? Contact the Pest HQ ant experts.