All Pest Control Services

HOW TO GET RID OF ANTS

Orkin Pros are trained to diagnose and treat ant problems. Because every home is different, they work with you to design a unique program for your situation.

Risks of Ant

Learn all about Ant

Harmful Bites and Stings

Ants can bite when they feel threatened, and a person who is highly allergic to wasp and bee stings may also be allergic to ant stings.

Property Damage

Acrobat ants and carpenter ants build their nests in damp or decaying wood. Homes with moisture issues are prime targets for carpenter ants.

Food Contamination

Ants may carry and transmit bacterial and fungal organisms that are serious disease pathogens and can be spread around your food or pantry.

GET FREE INSPECTION

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We’re not happy until you’re happy. We offer free inspection and free return visits to make it right.

See the Orkin Difference

Our Approach

Ant Control Tailored To You

Each house is unique and our treatment for getting rid of ants in your space.

The Orkin Approach

Investigate

We’ll inspect your home from top to bottom, inside and out, for current or potential pest

Protect

We’ll treat the perimeter of your structure with the appropriate materials, remove all accessible spiderwebs and wasp nests, and use the safest methods available.

Fortify

We’ll do everything we can to keep insects out—seal, caulk, plug, and secure gaps and cracks.

Keep Watch

We’ll treat the interior of your home and install pest monitors in critical areas such as kitchens, baths, utility rooms, and garages.

Report

We’ll always provide a detailed report of services rendered and recommendations to help keep your home free of pests.

Follow Up

We’ll stay in touch between our regularly scheduled visits and respond to any immediate needs.

Custom Treatment

Ant Control Made Personal

Every ant infestation is unique, and so are our ant treatments tailored to fit your situation.

Prevent Ants From Returning

Orkin Pros will recommend sealing entry points, cracks and crevices if they discover ant activity both outside and inside your home. Signs of Carpenter Ant Damage and Infestations Carpenter ants are capable of damaging any wood within which they nest. Carpenter ant infestation can become severe when left untreated, and, in some cases, a colony of carpenter ants can develop satellite nests. To control an infestation properly and reduce the chances that the colony can return, it is important to contact a pest control professional. Carpenter ants rarely nest in dry wood. Indoor infestations can be tracked by points of entry such as attic vents, foundations, cracks, electric wires, pipes and telephone lines. Carpenter ants prefer to nest in structural lumber such as in wall voids, hollow doors, windows and foam panels. Carpenter ants typically seek wood that has been softened by moisture, decay or other insects. Infestation Signs The most obvious sign of carpenter ant infestation is the presence of workers inside a building or home. However, the presence of ants is not conclusive evidence that a carpenter ant colony has established its nest within a structure. Carpenter ants forage for food within great distances of their nests. When a carpenter ant infestation is severe, piles of wood shavings can usually be found beneath wooden items. Carpenter ants burrow into wood to create their nests, and an infestation can also be detected by faint rustling noises inside woodwork or walls. Furthermore, when large winged ants emerge from ceilings, walls and other hidden crevices, an infestation is almost certain. Carpenter Ant or Termite Infestation? The Difference Between a Carpenter Ant Infestation and a Termite Infestation: Termites and the larvae of some beetles actually eat wood. However, carpenter ants gain no nutritional value from wood; rather, they damage it to make nests. An infestation of carpenter ants can be distinguished from a termite infestation by examining the damaged wood.

Thorough Inspection

An Orkin Pro will make a thorough inspection of your property, locating the ant development sites and nests. Carpenter ants prefer to nest in moist wood or structures already damaged by other insects. As a result, most carpenter ant nests are found in decaying wood in areas such as windows, chimneys, sinks, doorframes or bath traps and in hollow spaces such as wall voids. Provided with the ideal conditions of damp wood, appropriate temperatures and protection from predators and environmental changes, carpenter ant colonies can thrive. There are two types of carpenter ant nests: parent colonies and satellite colonies. Parent colonies contain workers, numerous broods and an egg-laying queen, while satellite colonies may have workers, mature larvae and pupae. Any of these nests can become a problem in houses and buildings. Carpenter ants may establish their nests indoors or outdoors. When carpenter ants nest outdoors, they are often found in hardwood trees that contain holes and other imperfections. Because carpenter ant nests require consistent temperature and humidity, they often seek moist or rotten wood. When carpenter ants nest in non-wooden areas, they have located an alternate site that offers them steady temperature, security from natural enemies and protection from environmental conditions. Indoors, carpenter ant nests may be found in wood suffering from moisture damage. Unlike termites and beetles, carpenter ants do not eat wood. Although workers burrow through wood with their mouthparts, they excavate galleries for nests. The potential damage of carpenter ants to a home, building or other structures may depend on the number and size of nests that are present within one area. The longer the infestation remains untreated the more damage can result. For that reason, it is important to locate carpenter ant nests early. Although carpenter ant nests are difficult to find, most experts recommend tapping into wood surfaces and listening for a hollow sound, which can indicate damaged wood. Using this technique may cause ant workers to panic and appear from their nests. If you are concerned you have a carpenter nest infestation within your home, it is best to contact a pest control professional to develop a customized solution to control the infestation.

Ant Control Made Personal

Carpenter ants prefer to nest in moist wood or structures already damaged by other insects. As a result, most carpenter ant nests are found in decaying wood in areas such as windows, chimneys, sinks, doorframes or bath traps and in hollow spaces such as wall voids. Provided with the ideal conditions of damp wood, appropriate temperatures and protection from predators and environmental changes, carpenter ant colonies can thrive. There are two types of carpenter ant nests: parent colonies and satellite colonies. Parent colonies contain workers, numerous broods and an egg-laying queen, while satellite colonies may have workers, mature larvae and pupae. Any of these nests can become a problem in houses and buildings. Carpenter ants may establish their nests indoors or outdoors. When carpenter ants nest outdoors, they are often found in hardwood trees that contain holes and other imperfections. Because carpenter ant nests require consistent temperature and humidity, they often seek moist or rotten wood. When carpenter ants nest in non-wooden areas, they have located an alternate site that offers them steady temperature, security from natural enemies and protection from environmental conditions. Indoors, carpenter ant nests may be found in wood suffering from moisture damage. Unlike termites and beetles, carpenter ants do not eat wood. Although workers burrow through wood with their mouthparts, they excavate galleries for nests. The potential damage of carpenter ants to a home, building or other structures may depend on the number and size of nests that are present within one area. The longer the infestation remains untreated the more damage can result. For that reason, it is important to locate carpenter ant nests early. Although carpenter ant nests are difficult to find, most experts recommend tapping into wood surfaces and listening for a hollow sound, which can indicate damaged wood. Using this technique may cause ant workers to panic and appear from their nests. If you are concerned you have a carpenter nest infestation within your home, it is best to contact a pest control professional to develop a customized solution to control the infestation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an exterminator cost for ants?

The cost of an ants exterminator varies depending on the pest control treatment plan. Get a free quote and contact your local Orkin Branch Office to request a comprehensive pest inspection from an Orkin Pro.

How do exterminators get rid of ants?

There are a variety of strategies an exterminator can use to get rid of ants in walls, window frames, and other hot spots in your house. Connect with an Orkin Pro to create an effective ants treatment plan for your home.

What are ants attracted to?

Ants are attracted to warm spaces where they can build their colony while still being near abundant food sources, moisture and protect the nest indoors or outdoors.

How do I keep ants out of the yard?

By destroying aphids and other sap-sucking vermin, ants will be less attracted to your yard. Also, pouring boiling water down evident ant colony holes may help. Removing yard debris and items that cover the ground will help reduce ant habitats.

What do ants eat?

Ants are omnivores and eat just about everything, including sap, plants, and other living or dead insects. They will also have a field day with human food.

How do I keep ants out of the house?

You can do your best to keep ants out of the house by storing food in airtight containers and sealing cracks and gaps where ants may be getting inside your home. Your Orkin Pro will identify the ants causing problems and tailor the control program to help protect your home from ant activity.

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