Saint-Amable, a municipality on the South Shore well known for its wooded residential neighbourhoods between Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville and Sainte-Julie, is a territory where anthills can discreetly settle under terraces, in garden borders or directly in the sandy soil of backyards. This is exactly what our technicians noticed during a recent intervention in this area: a single-family residence whose owner had noticed long lines of black ants crossing her wooden gallery every morning. The situation, which seemed trivial at first, actually hid several active colonies that deserved rapid professional care.
Inspection and identification of colonies
Upon arrival on the scene, our technician first made a complete tour of the outside perimeter. The inspection revealed three distinct entry points: a first nest under a concrete slab at the base of the gallery, a second in a crack in the ornamental stone wall, and a third at the edge of the lawn and cedar mulch along the fence. The ants observed were identified as pavementes ants (Tetramorium caespitum), a species very common in Quebec’s urbanized environments that readily colonizes spaces between hard surfaces and soft soil.
Accurate species identification is key to choosing the right protocol. Pavemente ants are omnivores and particularly attracted to food residues, but they build their nests mainly deep, which makes surface treatments ineffective if you don’t reach the heart of the colony. Underground galleries of several tens of centimetres had been dug under the slab, explaining the difficulty of eliminating the colony with products sold in hardware stores.
Treatment methods applied
The intervention plan was articulated in two complementary components. First, our technicians applied insecticidal granular bait around the identified nest entrances. This type of bait is carried by the workers to the queen, which allows the colony to be eliminated at the source rather than simply killing the individuals on the surface. This transfer mechanism is essential to achieve a long-lasting result on deep nests.
Secondly, localised spraying was carried out along the transit areas, in particular under the gallery and in the joints of the terrace. The product used, approved for outdoor residential use, creates a residual barrier that discourages ants from returning to these routes for several weeks. The combination of the two methods ensures both the elimination of the colony and the protection of the immediate perimeter.
To find out more about all our interventions against ants, visit our page dedicated to the destruction of anthills. We have also documented similar situations in other areas of the South Shore, as evidenced by this achievement in anthill management and this case concerning carpenter ants in residential areas.
Prevention and recommendations for the owner
After the treatment, our technician took the time to explain the preventive measures to the owner. Here are the main recommendations transmitted:
- Remove cedar mulch directly from the foundation, as moist organic matter is an ideal breeding ground.
- Caulk cracks and joints in the stone wall to eliminate potential cavities.
- Avoid leaving food scraps or non-airtight compost containers near the house.
- Check the space under patio slabs regularly, especially in the spring when colonies resume activity after winter.
To protect the outer perimeter more generally, an outdoor treatment against insects can be considered in addition, particularly useful in areas where vegetation is dense and promotes the presence of multiple harmful species. Nova Extermination offers this type of seasonal program adapted to properties on the South Shore, with rigorous follow-up to guarantee the absence of recurrence in the short and medium term.
Post-treatment follow-up
A follow-up visit was scheduled two weeks after the initial treatment to verify the effectiveness of the program. During this monitoring, no new activity was detected at the treated locations. The owner confirmed that the lines of ants on her porch had disappeared in the first week. A final addition of bait was made as a preventive measure at the entrance to the nest under the wall, of which a few residual individuals had been seen in the first days following the treatment, which is normal during the phase of gradual elimination of the colony. This type of result confirms that the combination of transfer baits and residual barrier remains the most effective approach for colonies in outdoor residential areas in Saint-Amable and in the surrounding municipalities of the South Shore.