Ant control services

Despite their small size, ants can cause major problems in homes and businesses. They can invade pantries, undermine structural integrity, and are known for their ability to establish extensive colonies. When it comes to ant removal, it's important to understand the causes and to be able to identify the signs of an infestation. 

For the past 90+ years, Ehrlich has gained extensive knowledge and experience in controlling ants throughout the eastern United States. We use our understanding of seasonal pest trends and local pressures to provide the best ant control services. Our highly-trained service specialists strive to provide you with the most effective pest control for ants tailored to your needs.

Call Ehrlich at 855-401-8534 to talk to an expert about ant pest control services, or contact us online.

Why do I need ant control? 

Ant infestations grow quickly and are much easier to treat before they get too large. Over-the-counter ant sprays and DIY methods can create larger problems, such as “budding,” in some species, where a single colony splits into multiple colonies.

These at-home methods typically only target a small portion of the infestation, and with ants, you need to eliminate the entire colony. Our certified Ehrlich technicians are trained to identify and remove ant colonies on your property, providing you with added protection.

What are the signs of an ant infestation?

Ants are social insects, so if you spot one, others will likely be nearby. Ants can easily find their way into homes or buildings through the tiniest of openings. A few signs of an ant infestation that you can look for include:

• Live ants - Live ants are one of the most obvious but telling signs that you may have an ant infestation. They may be spotted trailing in a line or gathering around food sources.
• Ant trails - Ants often create trails to and from their nests once they locate a food source. These trails are created using pheromones, laid down by foraging workers, that help guide other colony members to the source.
• Ant nests - Some species of ants will create nests made up of various materials. These nests can often resemble small piles of soil, sand, or plant debris.
• Sawdust-like material - If you notice sawdust-like material around your property, it could be a sign of carpenter ants. Carpenter ants are known for excavating wood to create nests, leaving behind sawdust as they continue to work.

If you notice signs of an ant infestation, you should get in touch with your local technician.

Ant treatment process

Ants are very persistent; when there is one, there are more. Ants leave pheromone trails to guide other colony members to food sources. An ant’s pheromone trail can last even longer than any deterrent material, so they often require multiple services to eliminate them.

Some of the ant treatment methods our team may use can include: 

• Granular or liquid ant baits: Your technician will apply granular or liquid ant baits in areas where ants are commonly found around the exterior of your property to assist in identifying ant movement and nesting sites.
• Non-repellent liquid residual: Technicians may apply non-repellent liquid residual to any ant trails and along your property's interior and exterior. 
• Non-repellent residual dust: Non-repellent residual dust may be applied to cracks, ceiling voids, weep holes, and crawlspaces to help target ant hiding spots or entry points. 
• Gel baits and/or bait arenas: Ehrlich technicians may use gel baits and/or ant arenas in areas of high ant activity to confine or attract ants to the treated areas with a non-repellent liquid residual. 

Due to the persistent nature of this pest, we recommend that you treat ants as a part of our year-round preventative maintenance plan, PestFree365+. With PestFree365+, your technician will visit seasonally to employ prevention methods so the ants do not come back while also working to break the life cycle of these pests on the exterior for long-term peace of mind.

Ant removal methods

Ant removal is a very specific process. We offer various treatment options depending upon several factors to help eliminate ants effectively. Selecting the most effective treatment method to eliminate the ant colony depends on the species of ant, infestation size, and location. Below are a few of our ant removal services per ant species.

What kills ants? 

If you are trying to get rid of ants, it’s essential to identify the species and size of the ant colony to establish the best course of action. Some infestations can be very difficult to get rid of and can take two weeks or longer to eliminate. Getting rid of carpenter ants can be particularly challenging as they often nest in hard-to-reach areas such as wall voids. 

Ants will typically relocate if not correctly handled. While there are various methods for killing ants, it’s important to consider both short-term and long-term solutions to address ant problems. There are some standard DIY solutions you can try, such as putting down vinegar, caulk, peppermint, cinnamon, boric acid, etc.. However, over-the-counter sprays and DIY methods are often ineffective.

Frequently asked questions