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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.
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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
What causes ant infestations?
Ant infestations can be caused by several factors, including:
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Access to food sources: Ants are attracted to food, especially sugary or greasy items. Leaving crumbs or uncovered food around can attract them into your home.
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Moisture: Ants need water to survive, so areas with leaks or high humidity can draw them in.
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Shelter and warmth: Ants seek shelter indoors, especially during extreme weather conditions. Small gaps, cracks, or holes in doors and windows offer entry points for these pests.
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.
Your Ehrlich technician will first start by identifying the type of ant and inspecting all areas where the ants may be nesting, as well as where they are traveling to and from.
After the inspection, your technician will use a combination of residual material and baits to work on eliminating the colonies around the property.
Once the ants are treated, your technician will suggest a plan of action to prevent new ant colonies from developing.
Some of the ant treatment methods our team may use can include:
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Granular or liquid ant baits: Your technician may 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.
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Liquid residual: Technicians may apply liquid residual to any ant trails and along your property's interior and exterior.
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Residual dust: Residual dust may be applied to cracks, ceiling voids, weep holes, and crawlspaces to help target ant hiding spots or entry points.
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Gel baits and/or bait station: Ehrlich technicians may use gel baits and/or ant bait stations in areas of high ant activity to confine or attract ants to the treated areas.
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.
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Professional ant extermination and removal methods
Our professional ant extermination methods are designed to target and eliminate ant colonies at their source, ensuring effective and long-lasting results.
Spraying for ants
Spraying is an efficient method for handling minor infestations and preventing ants from spreading. Our technicians apply specialized sprays directly to foraging areas, entry points, and nesting sites to quickly eliminate visible ants. This targeted approach is safe for indoor and outdoor applications, reducing ant activity and preventing further infestation.
Baiting systems for ant colonies
Baiting systems are a strategic solution for eliminating entire ant colonies, including those hidden behind walls or underground. Our technicians place specially formulated ant baits along foraging trails, which worker ants carry back to their colonies. This process ensures the bait is spread throughout the colony, ultimately killing the queen and halting reproduction for complete elimination.
Non-repellent insecticides for ant trails
Non-repellent insecticides are ideal for treating ant trails because ants don’t detect them, allowing the insecticide to spread undetected among colony members. By applying this treatment to heavily trafficked ant trails, our technicians ensure that the insecticide is carried back to the nest, resulting in effective colony control without alerting the ants.
Nest and barrier treatments for ant infestations
Nest and barrier treatments provide lasting protection by targeting the nest and potential entry points around your property. By treating the areas where ants enter and setting up a barrier around the perimeter, we prevent new ants from infesting your home or business. This dual approach keeps your property protected from future infestations and helps maintain an ant-free environment.
Common types of ants we remove
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.
Carpenter ant removal
The carpenter ant control process begins with your technician identifying all carpenter ant satellite colonies and nests. Although various bait and bait formulations are available, nest and barrier treatments are the primary methods for carpenter ant control. Perimeter treatments are also commonly applied to the exterior of the structure.
Odorous house ant removal
If an infestation of odorous house ants is identified on your property, your technician will track the ants by their trails to the nest. Treatment will be applied to the ant colony’s trails and nest(s). To ensure no new trails are established after the initial treatment, a follow-up appointment will be scheduled 7-10 days later.
Red imported fire ant removal
Red imported fire ants have been a nuisance to homeowners in southern states like Florida and South Carolina. A treatment application near the mounds is the most common solution for red imported fire ants. The ants will feed on the bait and return it to the colony. Once the bait kills the queen fire ant, the colony will collapse. We recommend that red imported fire ant treatments are conducted early in the spring to decrease the likelihood of major infestations.
Argentine ant removal
Argentine ants are highly invasive, forming massive colonies that can overwhelm other ant species. Our expert technicians use targeted baiting systems that Argentine ants carry back to the colony, effectively eliminating it from within. Additionally, we apply perimeter barrier treatments around your home or business to block re-entry and prevent future infestations. This comprehensive approach keeps Argentine ants from re-establishing their colonies, offering lasting peace of mind.
Pavement ant removal
Pavement ants often nest in soil near sidewalks, driveways, and patios, causing unsightly mounds and occasionally infiltrating indoor spaces. During treatment, our technician locates and treats pavement ant nests directly. We ensure effective removal by applying specialized treatments along their trails and near their nests. For ongoing prevention, we provide recommendations and apply perimeter treatments to keep pavement ants from returning to your property.
Pharaoh ant removal
Pharaoh ants are notorious for their ability to thrive indoors, especially in warm, humid areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. To tackle these resilient ants, our team uses specialized baiting techniques that pharaoh ants bring back to their hidden colonies, which may be located within walls or other concealed areas. This baiting system ensures that even hard-to-reach colonies are effectively controlled. For complete protection, we offer follow-up treatments to ensure pharaoh ants are eradicated and unable to re-establish.
In addition to the specific species mentioned above, Ehrlich technicians are frequently called upon to address flying ants during late spring and summer, when colonies are most active and preparing to establish new nests nearby.
How to get rid of ants in your home
There are different methods to undertake ant infestation removal, but our professional services are often the most effective and reliable option.
DIY ant control methods to prevent ants
Some DIY methods may help prevent ants, including:
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Sealing cracks and gaps: Blocking entry points can reduce the chance of ants entering.
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Maintaining cleanliness: Keeping your home free of food debris can reduce ant attraction.
Ant control services vs. DIY ant control
While DIY methods can sometimes prevent infestations, they are often less effective at removing established colonies. Ehrlich’s ant pest control services can eliminate visible ants and target the colony at its source for long-lasting results. We offer reliable and thorough solutions, whether dealing with carpenter ants, pharaoh ants, fire ants, odorous house ants, or other invasive ant species.
Learn everything you need to know about ants and how they behave.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to get rid of ants?
The cost of ant control varies depending on the size of the infestation and the treatment required. Our team provides a free inspection and a customized quote based on your needs.
Is it worth calling pest control for ants?
For lasting results, professional pest control is often the best choice. DIY methods can address minor infestations but are generally less effective for long-term prevention and full eradication.
How to permanently get rid of ants?
Achieving permanent ant control requires eliminating the entire colony, including the queen. Professional extermination services use targeted methods like baiting, non-repellent insecticides, and barrier treatments to disrupt and eliminate ant colonies.
Will pest control get rid of ants?
Yes, our pest control services are designed to address all types of ant infestations. By eliminating the colony and implementing preventive measures, we provide lasting relief from ant problems in your home or business.