There are over 20,000 species of ants on the planet. Wow – good thing there is only some 100 or so species in British Columbia. Better yet, there are only a few types of ants that cause problems in homes, restaurants and offices in Metro Vancouver. Ants primarily reside outdoors and serve as valuable scavengers that aid in maintaining the tidiness of gardens and landscaping. However, some ants can create problems when the otherwise harmless insects invade homes to forage for food. The likelihood of a home invasion is high in the well-developed Metro Vancouver region, as these ants often prefer to live in a moist, protected spaces with abundant food sources. Ants live in colonies. Their social structure is highly organized and efficient, with the sole objective of growing their colony. Given a suitable habitat near a food source, say your home or kitchen area, a colony will continue to grow. There is no reason for them to leave unless you make a change.