Ant control: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What ant control is

Ant control identifies the ant species and where its nest is, then uses baits, barrier treatments and sealing of entry points to reduce or eliminate the colony. People call when ant trails appear in the kitchen or bathroom, when mounds appear in the yard near the house, or when a store-bought spray has only moved the problem.

Signs you need it

  • Trails of ants run along counters, baseboards, pipes or the edge of the foundation every day
  • Small mounds or openings appear in the lawn, along the foundation or in the patio joints
  • Ants are in the pantry, the pet food bowl or the trash, and the store-bought spray has not stopped them
  • Winged ants appear inside the house, which can signal a colony nearby
  • Ants are getting into wall voids, window frames or the crawl space, where you cannot reach them

What the pro does

  • The technician identifies the ant species from the workers and the nest site, since the bait and treatment depend on the species
  • They trace the trails to the entry points and the nest, and mark the areas that need treatment
  • Baits are placed along the trails, in tamper-resistant stations or in spots away from children and pets
  • Barrier treatments are applied around the foundation, door and window frames and other entry points, following the label
  • The technician explains the sanitation and sealing steps that cut off food and water, and sets a follow-up visit to check the results

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Ant species, since some colonies are harder to reach or require different baits
  • Number of colonies and how far the nest extends across the property
  • Size of the home and the number of entry points to be treated
  • Whether the nest is inside the walls, under a slab or in the yard
  • Access to the crawl space, attic and exterior perimeter
  • Whether exterior nest treatments and perimeter barriers are included
  • Number of follow-up visits needed to confirm the colony is gone

What a written quote should spell out

  • The species identified and the nest locations found
  • The bait and barrier products used, by name, with the areas each one covers
  • The entry points that will be sealed and the sealing materials
  • The areas that will be treated inside and outside, listed separately
  • The follow-up schedule and what happens if activity continues
  • What you must do to help, such as wiping counters and storing food in sealed containers

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What ant species is it, and how did you confirm it?
  • Where is the nest, and will you treat it directly?
  • Are the baits and barriers labeled for this species and safe for kids and pets?
  • How long before I see the ants stop, and how long does the bait take to work?
  • What do you seal, and with what material?
  • How many follow-up visits are planned, and what do I report between visits?
  • What should I avoid doing, such as spraying store-bought products on the trails?

Red flags

  • They spray a repellent on the trails, which can make the colony split and spread
  • They treat the visible ants without finding the nest
  • They put bait where children and pets can reach it without tamper-resistant stations
  • They promise the ants will be gone after one visit with no follow-up
  • They cannot name the species or explain why the bait suits it

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can wipe up trails with soapy water, store food in sealed containers, fix leaks and seal small cracks with caulk. Avoid spraying repellents on trails, since that can split the colony. Use bait only as the label directs, keep it out of reach of children and pets, and call a licensed pest control operator if the nest is inside a wall, under a slab or if the ants keep returning after two rounds of baiting.

Licenses and permits

Ant control with pesticides for pay is commonly licensed in many areas, and the operator or technician may need a specific license. Check with your state or local licensing agency before you hire, and ask to see the license that covers the work.

Ant control questions

Why shouldn't I spray the ant trail?

Repellent sprays can scatter the workers and split the colony into more nests, which makes the problem harder to solve. Bait is the better tool, because the workers carry it back to the colony. Ask the operator which bait fits the species.

How long does ant bait take to work?

It can take days to weeks, since the workers must carry the bait back to the colony. Ask the operator what to expect, and do not clean up the bait stations early, since that stops the work.

Are ant baits safe around pets?

Bait stations are designed to limit access, but pets can still be affected if they reach the bait. Ask the operator for the product label, follow its guidance on placement, and keep stations out of reach.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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