ZeroBite
Understanding Ontario's Ant Species
Ontario is home to dozens of ant species, but a handful are responsible for the vast majority of infestations in homes and businesses. Identifying the species is the critical first step in effective treatment because each type responds to different bait formulations and treatment strategies.
Carpenter Ants — Ontario's Most Destructive Ant
Carpenter ants (Camponotus species) are the largest ants in Ontario, with workers ranging from 6 to 13 mm. Unlike termites, they do not eat wood — they excavate it to create smooth, clean galleries for nesting. Over years, this hollowing can weaken floor joists, wall studs, roof rafters, and window frames, leading to costly structural repairs.
Carpenter ants prefer damp, softened wood, making homes with moisture problems especially vulnerable. They commonly nest in areas around leaky roofs, bathrooms, dishwashers, and poorly ventilated crawl spaces. A mature colony can contain 3,000 to 10,000 workers and often establishes satellite colonies throughout the structure, making complete elimination essential.
Pavement Ants — Ontario's Most Common Invader
Pavement ants (Tetramorium immigrans) are small, dark-brown ants about 3 mm long. They nest in soil beneath sidewalks, driveways, and foundations, and enter homes through cracks in concrete slabs and basement walls. While they do not cause structural damage, they contaminate food and can be extremely persistent once established inside a home.
Colony-Based Treatment Approach
Spraying visible ants with off-the-shelf products kills only the foragers you can see — typically less than 10% of the colony. The queen continues to lay eggs, and the colony quickly recovers. ZeroBite uses professional-grade bait systems specifically formulated to be carried back to the colony and shared with the queen, larvae, and workers through a process called trophallaxis. This destroys the entire colony from within.
For carpenter ants, we combine baiting with targeted wall-void injections using residual dust formulations that reach galleries hidden deep inside structural timbers. We also identify and address moisture issues that attracted carpenter ants in the first place, reducing the risk of future infestations.
Carpenter Ant Fact
Carpenter ants do not eat wood — they excavate it to build nesting galleries. A mature colony can contain 3,000 to 10,000 workers and often establishes satellite colonies throughout the structure, making professional colony-level treatment essential.
Our Ant Treatment Checklist
- Species identification and colony location assessment
- Targeted bait station placement along foraging trails
- Wall-void dust injection for carpenter ant galleries
- Exterior perimeter treatment to block re-entry
- Moisture source identification and recommendations
- Follow-up visit to confirm colony elimination
- 30-day guarantee with free retreatment if ants return