Ants are a constant problem for homeowners, and once a scout finds food and leaves a pheromone trail, an invasion can quickly follow. While all ant infestations share common causes—searching for food, water, and shelter—different species require specialized control methods.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can do for prevention and control, and when it’s essential to call in a pest control expert.
DIY Prevention and Control: Cut Off Resources
The most critical first step is to make your home an inhospitable place for ants. All common household ants are looking for the same resources:
- Eliminate Food Sources: Store all dried goods and sweets in airtight containers. Immediately clean up spills, thoroughly wipe down kitchen counters, and avoid leaving pet food out for extended periods.
- Remove Water Sources: Fix any leaky faucets, pipes, or drains, and ensure there is no standing water in appliance condensation trays. Eliminating moisture is key to deterring many species, including the moisture-loving Carpenter Ant.
- Seal Entry Points: Use caulk to seal any visible gaps and cracks around windows, door frames, and where utility lines (pipes, wires) enter the structure. Even a tiny opening is enough for a worker ant to get through.
Over-the-Counter Treatments: Strategic Baiting
For most common household ants (such as Pavement or Odorous House Ants), ant bait is the most effective DIY tool. Ants consume the bait, which contains a slow-acting poison, and carry it back to the colony to share with the queen and the entire nest.
- DO: Place bait stations directly along the ant trails you observe.
- DO NOT: Use contact sprays or cleaners directly on the ants. This only kills the foragers you see and does nothing to the nest. It may also contaminate surfaces and cause the colony to move to a new, harder-to-find location.
When to Call a Professional
If you are dealing with a severe or persistent infestation, or if the ants are recurring year after year, it is a strong indication that the colony is well-established indoors and requires professional expertise. You need to call a professional if:
- You See Large, Black Ants: These are likely Carpenter Ants, and their nests must be precisely located and directly treated to prevent structural damage. Store-bought products are typically ineffective against this destructive species.
- Ants Return Quickly: If the ants disappear for a few days after baiting only to return, your treatment likely failed to eliminate the queen.
- Nests are Hidden: If you see large numbers of ants but cannot find the nest, it is likely hidden deep in a wall void, under a foundation, or in other inaccessible areas.
A pest control expert will accurately identify the ant species, locate the hidden nest, and apply a targeted, highly effective treatment to eliminate the problem at its source, protecting your property and family.
For expert ant identification and guaranteed removal, don’t delay. Call Pestward for comprehensive ant control solutions!