The manager of a family daycare operated in a single-storey house in La Prairie, on the South Shore, reported the presence of black ants in the playroom and in the kitchen of the establishment. The situation was considered a priority due to the presence of young children and the strict requirements imposed by the hygiene standards applicable to daycares. Our exterminator in La Prairie made an emergency visit the next morning to complete a complete assessment of the premises, before the children arrived.
Special features of the context with young children
Intervening in a childcare setting involves additional precautions that guide the entire treatment protocol. All areas of direct contact with children, such as play floors, dining tables and sleeping areas, are strictly excluded from any spray or powder treatment. The inspection located the ant tracks mainly under the baseboards of the kitchen, behind the refrigerator and in a corner of the basement used as a storage room. The species identified was the common black ant, attracted by food residues related to snacks and meals served to children. Several entry points were detected along the backyard side foundation wall, where the slightly sloping terrain favoured the accumulation of moisture against the building. Our expertise in house ant extermination includes protocols specific to environments with vulnerable people, such as daycares and seniors’ residences. Sainte-Catherine-de-La-Jacques-Cartier and other neighbouring communities regularly entrust us with this type of sensitive intervention.
Safe treatment and adapted methods
The treatment was planned to be carried out outside of the daycare hours to ensure the safety of the children and staff. Gel baits were applied in small deposits in areas inaccessible to children: inside cabinets under the sink, behind and under appliances, in the space between the floor and baseboards. Outdoors, barrier spraying was carried out along the entire foundation and around the door sills, using a registered product with low residual toxicity. An outdoor insect treatment was also applied in the backyard, targeting areas of exposed land where satellite nests could be established. The premises were ventilated for several hours before the resumption of on-call activities, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and our own safety standards.
Caulking and structural recommendations
Our technician completed the intervention by caulking the entry points identified in the foundation. A flexible polyurethane sealant was applied to the cracks and gaps around the electrical cable and plumbing pipe passages. The exterior basement on the courtyard side was inspected and the defective mortar plasters were reported for short-term repair. The manager received practical recommendations adapted to the daycare context: clean surfaces after each snack and meal, use airtight containers for cookies and cereals, avoid leaving open garbage bags inside during service hours, and eliminate sources of moisture by repairing a dripping faucet in the laundry room.
Confirmed results and post-treatment follow-up
A follow-up visit three weeks after treatment confirmed the complete disappearance of ant tracks throughout the building. No live ants were observed either inside or at the previously identified entry points. The person in charge expressed her satisfaction with the discretion and professionalism of the intervention. To consult other achievements of our team in similar contexts, we invite you to browse our realization in house ants in another residential sector that demonstrates our know-how in sensitive environments. Our extermination services in Quebec cover the entire South Shore, from La Prairie to Candiac, including Saint-Constant and the surrounding municipalities.