Ant control companies

About ant control

Ants in the kitchen are usually a nuisance, but some kinds sting and others tunnel into wood. This page helps you figure out which ants you have, what you can do yourself, and what to expect from a professional.

Carpenter ants are found across much of the country and are a common concern in the Northeast and the Pacific Northwest. Red imported fire ants are established across much of the South and in parts of California.

Signs of ants in and around your home

• Trails. Lines of ants along counters, baseboards or windowsills, often leading to food or water.
• Mounds. Small piles of soil in the lawn, along the foundation or in pavement cracks.
• Winged ants indoors. A swarm near a window can mean a nest inside the walls. Winged ants look like termite swarmers, but ants have bent antennae and a pinched waist.
• Sawdust-like shavings. Carpenter ants don't eat wood. They tunnel into it to nest and push out fine shavings, often mixed with insect parts.
• Fire ant mounds. Loose mounds of soil in sunny parts of the yard, with ants that swarm and sting when disturbed.

What you can do about ants yourself

• Wipe up crumbs and spills, and store sugary food in sealed containers.
• Wipe ant trails with soapy water to remove the scent other ants follow.
• Seal cracks around windows, doors and the places pipes enter the house.
• Fix leaks and damp wood, especially if you suspect carpenter ants.
• Trim branches and shrubs that touch the house, since ants use them as bridges.
• Keep children and pets away from fire ant mounds.

Spraying the ants you can see rarely reaches the nest, and with some species it can split one colony into several. Any pesticide you use must be used according to its label.

What professional ant control involves

The technician first identifies the species, because pavement ants, carpenter ants and fire ants each call for a different approach.

Common approaches include baits that worker ants carry back to the colony, treatment aimed at a nest the technician finds, and treatment around the outside of the house. For carpenter ants, finding the nest and the damp wood behind it matters most.

Baits take time to work, so a follow-up visit is common.

Price depends on the species, how many nests there are, whether they're inside walls, the size of the property, and whether you choose a one-time visit or a recurring plan.

Questions to ask an ant control company before you hire

1. Are your company and technicians licensed in this state?
2. Which ant is this, and where do you think the nest is?
3. Will you use baits, sprays or both, and how soon should I see fewer ants?
4. Is a follow-up visit included, and what happens if the ants come back?
5. For carpenter ants, did you find damaged wood or a moisture problem I should fix?
6. What should I do before and after treatment, such as leaving bait placements alone?

Compare the ant control companies listed above and read their reviews to see which ones found the source instead of only spraying the trail.