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#170
We live in Michigan and our weather has been unusually warm for March. About two weeks ago, my husband and I replaced our kitchen floor and discovered we had numerous types of ants living with us. We managed to kill off a tiny swarm of ants with no problem.
Recently, we have been invaded by flying ants that only appear in the evening. A swarm of them group under our kitchen light and drop to the table after a few minutes. I have identified these ants as "flying ants" and not "carpenter ants". They are black in color, three sections to their body, and one set of clear white wings.
Where do we begin to look for their nest? How can we get rid of them? Will they only bother us temporarily? Please help! DeeMarie; Sterling Hts, MI

The only ants that will swarm in Michigan at this time of year (March), are reproductive carpenter ants. You are likely seeing males with wings, a small head and pointed abdomen (not rounded tail). They do not fly too well but will head to a light source, usually a window during the day, a light at night.
The male ants are harmless. They will all die without chewing anything in your home, but they represent a very, very small percentage of a nest that has been in your home for at least 3 to 5 years. The workers in this nest could be doing serious structural damage. The reproductive females will emerge when they think the right conditions exist (mild weather). Because this nest has been there for some time, there are likely other satellite nests relating to the same colony. Don't waste your money and time on "ant poison" or the silly little tin ant traps. The nests must be found and treated. For more information go to Getting Rid of Carpenter Ants.

Question #132
I have had a professional pest control company dust the crawl space of my home and return on 3 occasions to follow up with spraying for small sugar ants. ants still appear in my pantry. how long should it take for these ants to die off completely? Dina. Newburg, Oregon

Dusting and spraying for ants does not work. I did it for years and wasted chemical, time and money. You have what sounds like moisture ants. They are tiny, persistent and very numerous. i found the best way to treat these creatures is with a product called maggottox. It is a diazinon product that comes in little granules. Can be bought in a seed supply store or a Home Depot. Sprinkle it liberally around where they are coming up, or as close to their nest as possible. Keep doing this until they are all gone. It sometimes takes a while. I can't give my name as the competition will know what I use. I will watch this site and rewrite your question if the problem persists.

The name "sugar ants" is often used improperly for a number of species of ants, some of which live underground, coming out only to gather food. It is difficult to eliminate underground nests using dusts or liquid pesticides. New ant baits may work but they do require patience. You may wish to consult another pest professional that has experience using ant bait.

#192
I have a mountain Ash tree in my front yard and have been noticing that every year it seems to be doing worse than the year before. I have discovered that there is an ant nest near the base of the tree that seems to get larger every year. I have tried some over the counter insecticides and traps but without any success. Is there a way that I can get rid of these ants without hurting the tree? Or is it too late to save the tree?

Question #120
I have ants in my apartment (little tiny light brown ones.) I've had the pest control company that takes care of my apartment building come in and apply a gel (poison foodsource) and boric acid dust to the pipe chases but it's been about 4 weeks and they're more in numbers now than before. I know where they reside mainly and have followed their movements but I don't know how to get rid of them. I believe their nest is behind my bathroom mirror / medicine cabinet. How can I get rid of them (before they get rid of me) so that they go away and do not return? I don't believe they are going for the poison gel. Also, I have 2 cats that I don't want injured by poison. The cats do not go in the bathroom where the ants are but I've noticed that the ants are now starting to spread out to the dining room where the cat food was located. Ted. Ottawa,

There is a very good answer to your question in the reply to question #115 below.

Question # 115
In my condo building we have a bad ant infestation. They have treated the entire building twice now without success, the last time visiting every suite. I'm told the ants are Pharo ants- redish brown, approx. 2-3mm (very small). They treated with a carbohydrate borax bait. Is there anything more powerful that can be used to keep them out of my suite, something that can be sprayed on the perimeter? Thanks, Wayne, North Vancouver

     I am involved in a similar situation. Pharaoh ants can be very difficult to control. These very tiny ants (perhaps 2mm in length), have the special ability to form satellite colonies by workers becoming reproductives - which means unlike a lot of other types of ants, they have an amazing capability of getting "deep" into building. The key to controlling ants with baits is to ensure that the bait medium is one which will attract the ants to the bait itself so they can get the toxin.
     Treating for pharaoh ants requires real persistence and follow-up. A "one shot" treatment will not work.
     There are some very good baits specifically designed to appeal to pharaoh ants - some designed to appeal to most ants. I don't wish to name a particular product, but there are ant baits on the market which advertise that they are composed of dual formulations (both sugar and protein). It is important to place the bait in the right places where the ants will find it.
     It is also useful to look at the outside of the condo building to see if there were or are factors that are enabling these ants to do well outside the building. Pharaoh ants do feed on dead insect matter, so if there is a situation where lighting attracts lots of flying insects, that could have been a point of where the primary infestation started, though of course it could conceivably have been brought in (though not that likely).
Outside treatment may also be a useful part of a total building treatment.
     This is not an easy situation.. and for condo owners, there is a focus of co-operation that may not be the same in a rental building. Condo owners may not be overly concerned about spending $15 or $20 on baits whereas this can represent a significant expense for a landlord.
     If you have a professional firm doing this work, then the total approach they offer is what really tells you how good they are. Charging for one time treatments and then saying "bye bye" is not a good approach. Quality assurance by complaint is not quality assurance at all. A good proposal for the elimination of these ants may involve a program that goes on for a number of years. The cost should be balanced against the kinds of follow-up the firm will provide as part of the treatment agreement.
     If the condo corp. decides to do control through co-operation, then you could buy the bait and distribute to every condo owner. A good information instruction sheet should be given to each owner. Each owner must also be informed that the responsibility for placement is his/her own. A really top notch pest control firm might even offer to sell you the material and provide support but not actual placement.
The end result depends on condo owners letting the management know that they still are having a problem so that the treatment can be continued or upgraded.
     Getting them totally out of the structure could take a couple of years, but the overall results should be pretty good in the first few months. Let us know how you make out with this..
Sam Bryks
Manager, Pest Control TCHC (Toronto Community Housing Corporation)

Question #139
Please advise: I have very tiny light brown ants in the kitchen they come and go from time to time. I was told by someone with the state to use a mixture of boric acid powder mixed with jelly and spread it on pieces cardboard and put them around where the ants are. My question: is there a particular jelly or honey that would be preferred that would attract them more? How much of each is recommended to mix? I was advised the boric acid makes them burp and this is how they are eliminated. Thank you for your suggestions. Kim. LA

"make them burp" -- funny.. that is pure nonsense... fun, but pure nonsense..

But the remedy is an old one and not a bad one. You probably have Pharaoh Ants.. not easy to eliminate as they can have multiple colonies in a house.. when a few of them become separated from the main colony, they can actually start a new colony ... the key to controlling them is to get them to feed on the bait with boric acid. They then go back to the colony and feed others till eventually it kills all of them. There are some products on the market for ants which also work well. The key is to not make the poison ( bait with boric acid) too strong. Boric acid is a toxin that eventually kills them. Keep checking the bait placements and move them after a few days if you don't see any ants on them. When they find one they will keep returning to it. by the way, this is what professionals should be doing as well. The cost of the treatment is largely due to the fact that they need to come back a number of times. Some people would rather a professional handle this. But it is not that hard to do. Remember to read the label of the boric acid, and keep out of reach of children or pets. Sam Bryks
Manager, Pest Control TCHC (Toronto Community Housing Corporation)

Question # 42
I was wondering if anyone could help to identify and fix the problem I have. There are little tiny (I think ants) that are beige in color in my house, they seem to like crackers and going into box stuff I have in my kitchen. I was wondering if anyone new what they were and how i could get rid off them. if you could help it would be greatly appreciated.
J.M. from Ottawa, Ontario.

My guess is that the insects you find are not ants but are some sort of stored product pest, possibly a saw-toothed grain beetle.
I recommend that you collect some of the insects and have them properly identified. Many pest control companies will identify insects for you. Once the insects are properly identified, you can find out what can be done to control them. Bob Lucy
Professional Ecological Services Ltd., Victoria.
www.pestvictoria.com services@pestvictoria.com

Question # 27
I live in Calgary, Alberta and have a huge amount of ants in my back yard. They bite my dog and I want to get rid of them. What can I use that wont be hazardous to my dogs health? Shelah

Secure and protected ant bait stations (poison) are now being used by professionals. They may be available to the public but you would have to check with a registered pesticide dispenser (garden shop?) These will work for many species of ants, but not carpenter ants. Try to identify what type of ant it is.
A local professional may be able to make some suggestions, or you could ask how much they would charge to solve your problem.

Question # 26
We have tiny black ants entering our house from the door jam. I looked outside and can't see any, so it seems they are in the walls. We tried ant traps but the ants will not touch them. Is there anything that can be done? Steve.

Some of the ant poisons may work for these ants. Place a very small amount (just a few drops) along the trail they follow, and replace it with fresh as needed. Try to place the drops in a sheltered area where they will not be stepped on by pets. There are many species of ants and they have different feeding habits. Proper identification might help you find the right information.

Question # 25
We have ant hills in our yard and find it very hard to get rid of. Is there anything we can do to destroy the hills? We live in northwestern Ontario Canada. thank you. Michele

Please check the answers to questions 26 & 27. Many ants are considered beneficial insects. Apparently there is a type of thatching ant in Europe that is protected and it is against the law to destroy the nests. Are these ants a pest causing a problem?

Question # 19
We have flying black ants in our house. We generally only see them at night and are more prevalent when the evenings are warmer. Do you have any suggestions for controlling them? Bev.

A little more information will help please. How big are these ants? (There are likely 2 sizes)
When did you see them? How many days did you see them? Where do you live?
If these are large ants have a look at the carpenter ant digital microscope photos here then check this page: getting rid of carpenter ants

Question # 16
I often find ants that are similar to carpenter ants running around on my front step and everywhere else. They are around the same size as carpenter ants and are black but they have a red thorax. They live in dead wood and in the ground and they attack me when i am near their nest. Could you please help me to identify them? Thanks, Spencer

They could be Vicinus carpenter ants. One of our sponsors in Victoria has some excellent ant identification information on their web site: www.pesvictoria.com . You could also check our page of Digital microscope carpenter ant photos.

Other Bugs	The answer to your question may be on one of the pages below: Ants, Ant nest photos Ask the experts, Bats, Bees, Birds, Carpenter Ants, Canadian Pest Management Association, Carpenter ant photos, Choosing a pro, Cockroaches, Controlling pests, Finding a Pro, Fleas, Getting rid of Carpenter ants Hantavirus, Home page, Insects, I.P.M. , Mice, Moles, Moths, News, Other pests, Powder post beetles, Raccoons, Rats, Real Estate & Pests, Rodents, Snakes, Spiders, SPMA of BC, Sow Bugs, Supplies for pest control, Termites, Wasps, Wildlife pests Pest pro Associations, C.P.M.A. (Canada) SPMA BC ( B.C.) SPMAO (Ontario) Add your listing to the directory of pest professionals in Canada.
#155 We have a 30' tree in our back yard that is being attacked my a Red headed (rest is black and white) woodpecker. It have made five holes so far and we are afraid that it will kill the tree. The holes are being made at eye level (4-5' off the ground). We want to spray pruning spray in/on the holes but are afraid of killing the woodpecker. Is there anything we can do to save the tree? Thanks in advance, James, Ottawa
There is obviously an insect in the tree that you should try to get rid of. If you use an insecticide spray, Try to wrap the area the birds are attacking with something to keep them away. Talk to a certified dispenser at a local garden shop, or the Later's web site may have some answers.
#195 I have seen several small insects of the following description in my log home. - about 1 cm in length, - two distinct body sections, head and larger rear body - head has two small antennae - body has two small wings, only visible when it tries to fly from spot to spot - maybe 8 legs - most distinctive colouring, font third is black or dark brown, middle is third is light brown and final third again is black or dark brown. Any ides ? Ross, Canada
Question #103 We have flour weevils that keep reoccurring in various parts of the house. We do not have any exposed food (flour/rice etc) that they might be coming from. We have sprayed with Raid House and Garden - which certainly kills them - but they keep coming back. We have found them in closets, bathrooms, kitchen and along baseboards. Does anyone have a solution to track them down to their source and eliminate them??? Patrick. Oshawa, Ontario
From your description, I don't think you have "weevils" at all. Weevils are a very specific type of beetle that has a modified mouth part into a kind of "snout" with mandibles at the end. They use this to bore into single grains of rice or wheat or other cereals or beans, etc. (depending on species), and then lay a single egg into the opening which they then seal over. What it sounds like you have is more likely a type of carpet beetle. I am speculating on the basis of the information you have provided. There are a number of species of carpet beetles. Variegated is one of the most common, but the black carpet beetle is also very common. These critters are very hardy and can feed on almost anything from hairs, fur, leather, cereals, dead insects,, dead rodents .. whatever they find that is organic. They are very common.. The best approach really is to do a very thorough vacuuming in your home. The larva are unusual little creatures with bristles -- and they are TOUGH.. Check this out on this website (Carpet beetle on list at bottom of insect page) or look on the net under those terms. You will then see if the "weevils" you have are in fact carpet beetles. Best treatment is to find any infested food, or article,, but really the bottom line answer is good houskeeping in general --- they do well in low activity locations and can eat COTTON, or wool. They will do damage to clothes.. Good luck... Sam Bryks Business: Manager, Pest Control TCHC (Toronto Community Housing Corporation)
Question #147 I found a lot of Indian Meal Molts in my basement, in every box, Christmas ornaments, etc. I ask somebody for help and they told me that I need to throw everything in my basement outside because there to much of Indian meal molts. Can you help me, please? An answer as soon as you can. Irma
If you have Indian Meal Moths in your home you should get rid of anything that shows the evidence. They usually are found in boxes where there is a source of food such as dry cereals, grains, crackers, etc.
Question #102 Hi! I can't seem to get a straight answer from any entomologist. I have even given a sample of the bug! It is tiny almost microscopic, doesn't fly, jump or bite(as far as I know) it looks to be a yellowy gold color and was first found in my bathroom, then I found them in my kitchen and then I just looked at my carpet today and there were some on there. The house is only 20 years old and does not show any signs of water damage. I have been told it is from the booklice family but it looks nothing like that, I have also been told that it is a moisture problem somewhere. We have checked the floor from the basement and everything is in great shape. So far I only have them on the main floor not in the basement. I have bleached, lysoled, vinegared, used even ant bait and nothing seems to get rid of these stupid bugs if someone could give me some kind of insight into this bug that would be greatly appreciated!!! Ramona. Alberta.
Look at one closely under a strong magnifying glass. If it is similar to this picture, it is likely a Psocid or book lice. They can only exist in a high moisture environment so they are often found in bathrooms and adjoining rooms. I have found them in a kitchen wall that had a shower stall on the other side. There was probably a slight plumbing leak, poor caulking around the tub or they did not use the exhaust fan when needed to remove steam.
This could also possibly be a Pharoah ant. You may want to investigate it as such. Richmond Pest Management.
Question #80 For the past couple of days we have noticed that close by our window in the kitchen a dirty looking sand has been falling from a hole. When we looked at it there are little white looking worms about an inch long. Is there any way of identifying what it is? It looks like little maggots. Could it be??? and from what?? Thank You. George. Toronto.
There are a number of larvae that tunnel in wood along with termites and carpenter ants. Try to remove one of the "worms" and take it to a pest professional for identification. You will find a list of them in the directory
Question #97* Where can I purchase a Flour Moth Trap (or another non-toxic trap to eliminate the Indian meal moths that are enjoying my rice, dried pasta and popcorn kernels) in Toronto or surrounding areas? I've had this problem for almost a year and now, although the moths aren't flying around so much anymore, their larvae are definitely causing me to throw away large amounts of dried food. Karen. Toronto, Ontario.
The Pheromone traps for Indian Meal Moths are available from a number of firms in Toronto - such as Ditchling Corporation, PCO-Orkin and Abell Pest Control. These traps do help a bit, but they are meant mostly as detection devices not for control so much. You have correctly identified where the moths come from. Solving the problem really requires breaking of the cycle of larva in the food becoming adults, mating and then laying eggs on food and so on. Get the traps by all means to help trap adults, but the best approach is to check ALL potential sources of infestation, throw out what is obviously infested, and either put in freezer (for about three days) or MICROWAVE other suspect food stuffs -- not too high or too long as you don't want to "cook" either the foodstuffs or set the boxes afire, but a minute or so will effectively stop the larva from becoming viable adults if not kill them outright. Putting these suspect foods into tight containers is also a big help. Pet Food is particularly vulnerable .. and in my experience, one of the primary sources.. Having had this experience, a shopper can be more aware of checking boxes of suspect ingredients, especially dry pet food, nuts, dried fruits, bulk food -- and cereal boxes, other packages as well. If you see a moth fluttering in a grocery store, you know who the culprit is. This doesn't happen that often, and in my experience it is the circle of a supplier who has not solved a problem to the grocery store.. Once in a grocery store, if the pest management is not good, then it will spread to other products.. The educated consumer might be lucky enough to detect the problem and let your grocery store know. If a product is months old, it is too late. If you find the problem within about a week, you might have a case to show to your grocery store manager, but proving this is not easy. By doing this, you help protect other consumers. Fortunately indian meal moth is harmless to people even you happen to eat a few of the critters.. (sorry!!) Sam Bryks. Business: Manager, Pest Control, TCHC (Toronto Community Housing Corporation)
Question # 56 What is the gnat type insect found around fresh produce in stores? What can be done or used to control or rid my produce of them, (without using insecticides )that is not harmful to produce or the consumer? Melissa.
The name "gnat" is commonly applied to about 850 different species of small flies in Canada and the United States. Control will depend on the species, but in general most of those that breed indoors will seek a moist environment. Eliminating moisture around a store produce display is impossible, but practicing good hygiene should help. Any decaying plant matter that may be present in or under the display should be removed. Fungus of any kind may be a food source. Thorough cleaning of the display should be routine. Ultra violet light traps can be quite effective, especially when other lights are turned off at night. These can be safely used near food. Contract a pest professional in your area to have one installed properly. Location is very important.
Question #101 I have recently moved into a newly renovated suite, and we have many fruit flies, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom. The number of flies does not appear to have anything to do with fruit or other organic matter left out - and they were present even before we moved in, while the suite was being renovated. Is it possible they are coming in by the water pipes, or by some other way? What might I be able to do to control their population? The cold weather is not having an effect on their numbers. Jeff. Halifax, Nova Scotia.
There is a very effective glue board on the market for fruit flies. The glue is scented with a banana fragrance. It is manufactured by Catchmaster (see web page) and it should be available from some of the pest professionals in your area. ( Nova Scotia Pest Professionals)
Question #73* Need to identify the following bug: 1" long, many legs, hard shelled, tubular shape (looks like tubular centipede), looks jointed-many lines on body, shiny dark brown color, curls up in ball when touched, found in basement, 2 antennae at head, looks like long sow bug. As you identify, please advise how to exterminate. Glenn
Hi Glenn: Sounds like Millipedes. Nothing really serious. However, hey do require high moisture areas to survive. They are most likely coming in from outside and wondering in looking for suitable areas. Normally they do not live very long in doors. They do not bite or pose any real concern for the most part. Check your exterior. Do you have a well landscaped( landscape paper), irrigated yard and mulch around the house or rotten wood or some type of excessive moisture condition? Correcting those conditions is usually suitable to achieve control.

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Insect Pests: Questions and answers

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Ask the Pest Control Experts. Insect Pests: Questions and answers

PEST CONTROL CANADA
A special place for Canadian Consumers

Ask the Pest Control Experts.
Insect Pests: Questions and answers