We're Here to Assist You

Ants: A Recent Job in Port Moody & Some Homeowner Tips

Category: Holiday

Published: 03 May, 2026

By Ryan, Owner, Knockout Pest Control

What I Walked Into

May is usually when I start seeing more ant calls around Port Moody & Metro Vancouver. The weather starts shifting, moisture is still around, and ants begin looking for food, warmth and easy access into homes.

This recent call came from a homeowner in Port Moody who had ants showing up near the kitchen and along the baseboard by the back door. At first, it was just a few ants here and there. Within a couple of days, the trail became more noticeable.

When I arrived, the homeowner told me they had wiped the area down several times, but the ants kept coming back in the exact same spot. That is usually a sign that the issue is not just the ants you can see. There is often a trail, entry point or nesting area nearby that is keeping the activity going.

I started by checking the kitchen, baseboards, back door, exterior wall, patio edge and nearby garden area. It did not take long to see that the ants were coming from outside and using a small gap near the door frame to get inside.

The Problem

The main issue was that the ants had found a reliable route into the home.

In Port Moody, I often see ant activity connected to moisture, garden edges, exterior gaps and areas where the home meets landscaping or patio space. Ants do not need a large opening. A small gap around a door, window, foundation line or pipe opening can be enough.

In this case, the homeowner was only seeing the indoor trail, but the activity was starting outside. The ants were travelling from the garden area toward the back entry and into the kitchen.

This is why wiping the ants away only helped for a short time. The visible ants were just part of the problem. The scent trail and access point were still active, so more ants kept following the same path.

The Process

I walked the homeowner through what I was seeing so they understood where the ants were coming from and why they kept returning.

First, I inspected the indoor trail and the areas around the kitchen and baseboards. Then I checked the outside of the property, especially the patio edge, garden line and exterior wall near the back door.

Once I found the main activity path, I created a treatment plan focused on the trail, the entry area and the exterior zone where the ants were moving. The goal was not just to treat the ants inside, but to address the route they were using to get in.

After the treatment, I gave the homeowner a few simple prevention steps. I recommended keeping the kitchen surfaces clean, sealing food properly, checking for moisture near the sink and watching the back door area for any new trail activity.

I also pointed out the small exterior gap that may need attention to help reduce future ant activity.

The Outcome

After the service, the homeowner noticed the ant trail slowing down and the kitchen activity started to reduce.

What made the biggest difference was helping them understand that ants are usually not a one-spot problem. The ants they saw inside were connected to outdoor conditions, an entry point and a trail that needed to be addressed properly.

By treating the right areas and making a few small changes around the home, the property became less attractive for ants to keep returning.

That is always my goal with ant work: find the trail, understand the source and give the homeowner clear next steps so they are not just guessing.

"It's brighter than before!"

— Megan

DIY Advice

Here are a few ant prevention tips I shared with the homeowner:

Keep kitchen benches and floors clean, especially after meals.

Store food in sealed containers.

Wipe up spills quickly, especially sweet drinks, sauces and crumbs.

Avoid leaving pet food out for long periods.

Check around doors, windows and pipe openings for small gaps.

Reduce moisture around sinks, bathrooms, laundry areas and exterior walls.

Keep garden edges, patio areas and exterior walls clear where possible.

Watch for small ant trails after rainy or warmer days.

These steps will not always remove an established ant problem, but they can help reduce the conditions that make ants want to keep coming back.

Professional Insight

Ant problems around Port Moody & Metro Vancouver are often connected to more than just food. Moisture, landscaping, shared walls, patios, foundation lines and small exterior gaps can all play a part.

The most important thing is to understand the trail. Where are the ants coming from? Where are they entering? What are they finding inside? And what is allowing them to return?

If you only treat the visible ants, the problem can keep coming back. A proper ant inspection looks at the indoor activity, the exterior path and the conditions supporting the trail.

That is where professional ant control makes a big difference. It is not just about spraying where ants are seen. It is about finding the reason they are there in the first place.

Closing Thoughts

This job was a good reminder that small ant trails can point to a bigger source nearby.

If you are seeing ants around your kitchen, bathroom, patio, windows or back door, do not wait until the trail gets larger. Ant problems are usually easier to manage when they are caught early.

Knockout Pest Control helps homeowners across Port Moody & Metro Vancouver find the source of ant activity, treat the right areas and understand how to reduce future problems.

Thanks for reading,