How To Get Rid of Ants

Are ants invading your home? It can be annoying to find ants in your home, and many ants, including the common Pavement ant can be difficult to control. 

Considering that ants frequently travel through unsanitary areas before they end up on your countertops, you should take steps to get rid of ants at the first sign of a problem and keep them away from your family, pets and food.

Pavement ants nest outdoors under stones, sidewalks, and concrete slabs, and invade homes for food. Winged ants are often mistaken for termites.

Carpenter Ants, on the other hand, are often difficult to locate in your home. They start nests in moist wood and spread by chewing tunnels.Carpenter ants damage wood and can cause significant damage to the structure of your home..

Dealing with Ants in Your Home

Which ants are likely to be found in your home? Although there are thousands of different ant species, there are relatively few that we commonly see as pests. These include:

Pavement Ants - Only 1/8 inch long, the tiny black Pavement Ant is very common. Large numbers of Pavement Ants are often found in sidewalk joints, under stones and concrete slabs. 

Pavement Ants do not cause structural damage or present risks to humans but are an annoyance inside the home.

Pharaoh Ants – worker ants are 1/16” long and the Queen is 1/8 - 1/4 long. Both workers and the Queen are a yellow-brown color. 

Pharoah Ants originate from the tropics and require artificial heat in order to survive and reproduce and tend to live in large heated buildings such as hospitals, hotels and apartments. 

The Pharoah ant is one of the most difficult ant species to control.

Citronella Ants - About ¼ inch long, citronella ants swarm in the late winter and early spring. Because of their swarming, they are often mistaken for termites. 

Unlike termites, however, citronella ants are simply a nuisance and do not cause structural damage. Citronella ants are so named for the pleasant citronella odor they give off when crushed.

For more information on different types of ants, along with ant pictures, visit our Ants Pest Guide section.

Flying Ants

The ‘flying ants’ we commonly see between July and August are, in fact, sexually active males and females of the Black garden ant who have been waiting all summer for the perfect conditions to perform their nuptual flight.

Once some ants begin to fly, other ants detect their chemical smell and join them. The swarms last all day.
Black garden ants can bite if you come into contact with them. This can sometimes cause allergic reactions in some people.

How to Prevent Ants in Your Home

Want to prevent ants getting into your kitchen? Most ants come inside your home looking for food. They are attracted by sweet and sticky substances. By taking steps to ant proof you home, you can prevent these pests:

Tips to Keep Out Ants:

• Always cover food – who knows where that ant has been before it crawls across your food?!
• Clean food and liquid spills immediately
• Clean food debris from under kitchen appliances
• Make sure all garbage cans are tightly sealed
• Keep compost piles enclosed and covered
• Put away pet food as soon as your pet has finished eating
• Seal access points – cover cracks and crevices in door and window frames

How To Get Rid of Ants

There is a wide range of do-it-yourself pest control products, such as ant spray and ant bait products, available for treating ants. The most effective way to get rid of ants is to get rid of the ant nest, and do-it-yourself products are often not effective at destroying the nest.

If you have a recurring problem or a more serious ant infestation, we recommend that you contact a professional pest control company to get rid of the ants for you.

Getting Rid of Ants Professionally

Ehrlich technicians understand the habits of each ant species and use that knowledge when developing an ant control program, which is best suited to your home and your particular ant problem. Our technicians are state certified, licensed applicators and are required to participate in regular training programs to maintain their expertise.

At Ehrlich, we pride ourselves on fast, responsive service every day. We are always available 24 hours a day for any emergency pest concerns that may develop and all appointments are scheduled at times that are convenient for you.

Call Ehrlich Pest Control free at 1-800-837-5520 for further advice on how to get rid of ants or to arrange a free inspection by an Ehrlich technician.