Ant season keeping pest control busy

CTV Winnipeg: Residents face higher ant numbers Michelle Gerwing on why this year is especially bad for ants in Manitoba.

It's the time of year when ants run rampant, but this year there may be more than in the past.

Poulin's pest control said they're seeing double the calls for ants than they usually do at this time.

Entomologist Taz Stuart says the influx of ants could be a result of the harsh winter combined with the late spring. He adds that the absence of long-term insecticides, which were banned about eight years ago, may also be a factor.

“Our current options are more short-term so we may be seeing a natural increase in populations over time," said Stuart.

Stuart said ants are good to keep around because they naturally aerate the grass but if they're becoming a problem, identify the kind of ant you're dealing with before buying any chemicals.