Ant Control
Ants invade for food and water and follow scent trails that lead more of the colony inside. Baiting (which workers carry back to the nest) ends the problem; sprays alone only kill the ants you see. Carpenter ants that tunnel into wood need professional treatment.
Typical cost: $120 to $350
Signs of a ant problem
- Trails of ants along counters, baseboards, or entry points
- Small piles of soil or sawdust (carpenter ants)
- Winged swarmers indoors, often in spring
- Ants clustered around sweet or greasy food
Treatment options
- Slow-acting baits carried back to the colony
- Targeted treatment of nests and entry points
- Exterior perimeter treatment
- Carpenter ant treatment of galleries in wood
How to prevent them
- Wipe trails with a vinegar solution to break the scent
- Store sweet and greasy foods sealed
- Seal cracks and fix moisture problems
- Keep vegetation and mulch off the foundation
When they're most active
Ant activity peaks in spring and summer; winged swarmers indoors in spring can signal a nearby nest.
Ant Control: frequently asked questions
Why do ants keep coming back?
Usually the colony is intact and a trail or food source remains. Bait reaches the nest, while cleaning trails and sealing entries stops new scouts.
Are carpenter ants as bad as termites?
They don't eat wood, but they tunnel through it to nest and can weaken structures over time, so treat them promptly.
Ant Control by city
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