Ants · Entry points
Calgary and area · Fully licensed and insured
Ants coming through the foundation in Calgary
Ants coming through a Calgary foundation are usually using pipe penetrations, sill gaps or hairline cracks. We treat the active ants and seal small exterior entry points; structural crack repair is a different trade, and we refer it out. Fully licensed and insured. Ant perimeter sealing from $522 + GST; carpenter ants from $1,800 + GST; written quote after inspection.
How it happens
Ground thaw in spring wakes colonies near the house. They follow edges and gaps toward moisture and food. Calgary’s Chinook swings can take a wall through several freeze-thaw cycles in one winter, and each cycle works sealant and trim joints loose. A joint that was tight in July can be open by February.
Where sealing alone fails
- The colony is in the wall or under the slab, not outside.
- There are many small gaps, so closing one sends them to the next.
- Carpenter ants in damp wood: the moisture problem has to be fixed.
In those cases treatment is needed alongside sealing.
What we do
- Identify the ant and follow the trail to the entry.
- Treat the active trail and nest where it can be reached.
- Seal small exterior gaps around pipes, cables and the sill.
- Refer wide, growing or leaking cracks to a crack repair company.
What you can do today
- ☐ Wipe up sugary spills and store food sealed.
- ☐ Follow the trail to see where ants enter.
- ☐ Pull mulch and soil back from the siding.
- ☐ Check for damp wood under windows and at the sill.
Background reading: exclusion vs bait stations.
Related reading
Questions
Why are ants coming through my foundation?
They follow small gaps: pipe and cable penetrations, the sill plate and hairline cracks at grade. Moisture and food inside make the route worth using.
Will sealing alone stop them?
Sometimes, if the colony is outside and there are only one or two entry points. Sealing alone fails when the colony is nesting in the wall or under the slab, when there are many small gaps, or when ants are carpenter ants in damp wood. Then treatment is needed too.
Can you repair foundation cracks?
No. We seal small exterior gaps around penetrations as part of ant work. Structural crack repair or injection goes to a foundation crack repair company.
When do ants show up in Calgary?
Usually in spring, once the ground thaws and warms. Sealing and treatment in spring and early summer cover the season.
What does ant work cost?
Ant perimeter sealing starts from $522 + GST. Carpenter ant work starts from $1,800 + GST. The final price depends on the species, the nest, and how many entry points there are. We price it once we have seen the building. Inspection is complimentary when you proceed with the recommended service.
Show us the gap.
Text a photo, call, or request a written quote.