How to Get Rid of Ants

How to Identify Ants

Ants are small insects with segmented bodies, bent antennae, and six legs. The species matters: tiny brown or black odorous house ants give off a coconut-like smell when crushed; pavement ants nest under sidewalks and along foundations; carpenter ants are larger and excavate wood, leaving behind sawdust-like shavings; and pharaoh ants are pale yellow and notorious for spreading through buildings. Identifying the species helps determine where they nest and how to treat them, since baits and methods that work on one type may fail on another.

Signs of an Ants Problem

• Trails of ants moving along walls, counters, or baseboards
• Small piles of sawdust or wood shavings (carpenter ants)
• Tiny mounds of soil near foundation cracks or pavement
• Ants congregating around food, sweets, or pet bowls
• Rustling sounds inside walls in heavy carpenter ant cases
• Winged ants (swarmers) appearing indoors, especially in spring

Why Ants Are a Problem

• Carpenter ants can damage structural wood over time
• Ants contaminate food and kitchen surfaces as they forage
• Some species, like fire ants, deliver painful stings
• Certain ants can spread bacteria as they travel
• Large colonies are difficult to fully eliminate once established

Why DIY Often Falls Short

Store-bought sprays kill the ants you can see, but they do nothing about the queen and the thousands of workers hidden inside the nest. Worse, repellent sprays can cause some colonies to "bud" — splitting into multiple new colonies and making the problem far harder to control. Without identifying the species and locating the nest, homeowners often treat the symptoms while the source keeps producing more ants week after week.

How a Professional Handles Ants

• A licensed pest control professional will identify the ant species to target it correctly
• A pro can locate hidden nests inside walls, soil, or wood
• Professional treatment typically involves slow-acting baits carried back to the colony
• A pro applies targeted, labeled products in cracks and entry points
• Treatment often includes follow-up visits to confirm the colony is gone
• A professional can recommend exclusion work to seal future entry routes

How to Prevent Ants

• Wipe up crumbs and spills promptly and store food in sealed containers
• Take out trash regularly and keep bins clean
• Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and the foundation
• Fix leaks and reduce moisture that attracts ants
• Trim shrubs and branches that touch the house
• Keep firewood and mulch away from exterior walls

Ants FAQs