Ant Control in Burnaby, BC
Ants are one of the most common pest calls we receive in Burnaby. Pavement ants are mostly a nuisance — they get into kitchens and are annoying but not destructive. Carpenter ants are a different matter. They tunnel through wood to build their nests and, in Burnaby’s older homes where moisture and aging timber are common, they can cause real structural damage over time if they’re not dealt with.
Ridall provides ant control for homes and businesses throughout Burnaby. We identify the species, find the nest, and eliminate the infestation at the source.
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Types of Ants We Treat in Burnaby
Carpenter Ants – Carpenter ants are the most structurally damaging ant species in Burnaby. They’re large — 6 to 12mm — and typically black or dark red-black. They’re most active at night and in spring when colonies are expanding. The key thing to understand is that they don’t eat wood; they hollow it out to nest inside it, leaving behind a sawdust-like material called frass. Large black ants appearing inside your home, especially near wooden structural elements or moisture-prone areas, is a warning sign.
Burnaby’s combination of older timber construction and year-round moisture makes it good habitat for carpenter ants. When we treat a carpenter ant problem, we locate the satellite colonies within the structure, treat the nest, and identify the moisture source that drew them in — because without addressing that, they’ll come back.
Pavement Ants – Pavement ants are small (2 to 3mm) and nest under concrete slabs, driveways, and building foundations. They’re a nuisance pest — they won’t damage your home, but they’ll invade kitchens in large numbers looking for food. We treat the colony directly, not just the trail you’re seeing.
Odorous House Ants – Small ants that produce a rotten coconut smell when crushed. They nest inside wall voids and under flooring. The challenge with these is that they form multiple satellite colonies — disturb one and the others scatter, which is why DIY products often make the problem worse. Professional treatment targets all colonies at once.
Signs of a Carpenter Ant Problem in Burnaby
- Large black ants (6mm or bigger) appearing inside, especially near windows, plumbing, or wood framing
- A faint rustling sound inside walls at night
- Small piles of frass — looks like coarse sawdust mixed with insect fragments — near baseboards or structural wood
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
- Winged ants (swarmers) emerging from walls or flooring in spring — this means a mature colony is present
How We Treat Ant Problems in Burnaby
Inspection — We identify the species and locate the nest, including any satellite colonies inside the structure.
Treatment — We use targeted products applied to nest sites. For carpenter ants, the treatment is carried back to the colony by workers, which is what eliminates the source rather than just the visible ants.
Moisture assessment — Carpenter ant infestations are almost always connected to a moisture problem — a leaking pipe, poor attic ventilation, damaged roofing. We identify the source and advise on fixing it.
Prevention guidance — Practical steps to reduce risk going forward: trimming vegetation away from the structure, managing firewood storage, and addressing any remaining entry points.
Burnaby Neighbourhoods We Serve
We provide pest control throughout all of Burnaby, including:
Brentwood | Metrotown | South Burnaby | Burnaby Heights | Edmonds | North Burnaby | Deer Lake | Big Bend
Ant Control FAQ — Burnaby
Answering Your Pest Control Questions
How do I tell carpenter ants from regular ants?
Size is the main giveaway. Carpenter ants are 6 to 12mm — noticeably large — and are usually solid black or dark red-black. Pavement ants are tiny (2 to 3mm) and brownish. If you’re seeing large black ants inside your home, especially anywhere near wood or damp areas, that’s likely carpenter ants.
Will hardware store bait work?
For minor pavement ant problems, sometimes. For carpenter ants, rarely — because the nest is inside the structure and needs to be treated directly. If the infestation is established, professional treatment is the more reliable option.
How long does ant treatment take?
The treatment visit typically takes one to two hours. You’ll see a clear reduction in ant activity within a few days. Full elimination of a carpenter ant colony usually takes one to two weeks as the product works its way through the colony.
When is carpenter ant season in Burnaby?
Most active from March through September, with a peak in spring when new queens fly to start new colonies. If you see winged ants inside your home in spring, that’s a sign of a mature colony nearby. A colony inside a heated home can remain active year-round.
Is there a warranty on ant control?
Yes. If ants return within the warranty period, we come back and treat again at no charge.
