Ant Control: How to Identify, Eliminate, and Prevent Ant Infestations in Your Home

Ants are the most common pest complaint in American homes. They're persistent, organized, and their colonies can number in the hundreds of thousands. The key to effective ant control is identifying the species - different ants require completely different treatment approaches.

Common Ant Species

Odorous house ants: Small brown or black ants (1/8 inch) that produce a rotten coconut smell when crushed. The most common household ant. Colony size: 10,000-100,000. They nest inside walls, under floors, and near moisture sources. They prefer sweets and greasy foods. Carpenter ants: Large black ants (1/4-1/2 inch). They don't eat wood but excavate it for nesting, causing structural damage similar to termites. Look for piles of sawdust-like frass near wooden structures. Colony size: 3,000-10,000. Fire ants: Aggressive, stinging ants that build large mound-shaped nests in yards. A serious concern in the Southeast and Southwest. Their stings cause painful welts and can trigger allergic reactions. Pavement ants: Small brown ants (1/8 inch) that nest in cracks in pavement, driveways, and foundations. Common invaders of ground-level homes. They eat nearly anything - sweets, grease, bread, meat.

Why Store-Bought Sprays Don't Work

Contact sprays (Raid, etc.) kill the ants you can see, but the colony - which is the actual problem - is hidden in walls, underground, or in wood. Spraying actually makes the problem worse in many cases: it triggers a survival response called "budding" where the colony splits into multiple new colonies to avoid the threat. You go from one colony to three. Effective ant control requires bait that worker ants carry back to the colony, targeting the queen. When the queen dies, the colony collapses.

Effective DIY Treatment

Step 1: Identify the species. Take a photo and compare against identification guides (your local extension service or pest control company can help). Treatment varies by species. Step 2: Find the trails. Follow ant lines to locate where they're entering your home and the general direction of the nest. Step 3: Place bait, don't spray. Use gel bait or bait stations along the trails. For sugar-loving ants (odorous house ants), use sweet bait (Terro liquid bait is effective). For protein-loving ants, use protein-based bait. Place bait near the trail but don't disturb the trail itself - you want them to find the bait and carry it home.

Step 4: Be patient. Baiting takes 1-3 weeks to eliminate a colony. You'll see more ants initially as workers discover the bait and recruit more foragers. This is a sign it's working. Step 5: Seal entry points. Once the colony is eliminated, seal cracks, gaps, and entry points with caulk or weatherstripping. Step 6: Eliminate attractants. Clean up food crumbs, fix moisture issues, and store food in sealed containers.

When to Call a Professional

Call a professional for carpenter ant infestations (structural damage risk requires professional treatment and damage assessment), fire ant colonies near play areas or high-traffic zones, infestations that don't respond to 3-4 weeks of baiting, and recurring infestations that keep coming back despite DIY efforts. Professional treatment for ants typically costs $150-$300 for a one-time treatment or is included in a general quarterly pest plan ($40-$70/month).