Ant Control Ants are a major annoyance to homeowners and are difficult to control. You should not underestimate the importance of good sanitation to eliminate food sources, although good sanitation may not control an ant infestation by itself. Although we do not like sharing our homes with ants, they are beneficial organisms in the balance of nature. In nature, ants greatly reduce the amount of dead and decaying plant and animal organic matter. They also aerate the soil with their nests. Many ant species have a fondness for honeydew that aphids produce from feeding on plants. Large numbers of ants crawling on a plant may be a sign of serious aphid infestation. Ants are presently the most troublesome pest in this country. Widespread infestations of many different ant types are infesting structures from coast to coast. Ant control is a very different operation than most other types of pest control. It may encompass the application of baits, residual applications interior and or exterior, void treatments, and possible exterior sites away from the structure. A lot of training is needed for the proper control measures to effectively control ants. All ants live in colonies, consisting of an egg-laying female (queen), short-lived males, and workers (sterile females). The ants you see foraging in your garden or kitchen are workers. Workers that find food communicate with other workers by depositing a chemical message on the substrate as they crawl back to the nest. Although we cannot smell it, this "trail pheromone" sticks to the substrate for long periods of time and helps other ants find the food at the end of the trail. The real ultimate goal for ant control is the elimination of the colony. This will only be accomplished with the proper use and placement of the right products. Imported Fire Ant - These ants live in mounds usually located on the ground surface. Sometimes they can nest inside. They have a well developed stinger and can inflict a painful sting. They like feeding on oils and baits are best method of control. Carpenter ant - Large ants that nest in the hollows of decaying wood, mulch, debri, and other areas of high moisture. They do not consume wood but hollow it out for nests. The carpenter ant is red and black and can be found nesting in palm trees often. Locating and treating the nest is key in carpenter ant control. Ghost Ant - Tiny ants with a dark head and thorax and a pale-colored abdomen. Perhaps the most common ant found indoors in colonies that have many queens. Considered sweet-feeding ants and are treated most effectively with baits Pharaoh Ant - Commonly found small ant that nests inside or outside in wall voids, behind molding, in switch plates, or in the soil of potted plants. Colonies can contain many queens and workers are slow moving yellow to light red ants. Baits should be used exclusively Whitefooted Ant - This sweet feeding ant has enormous colonies containing over a million members. About average size, dark brown to black with yellowish-white coloring on bottom half of legs. Complete control is extremely rare but large amounts of bait, perimeter sprays, and direct treatment of nests offers some control Crazy Ant - Usually found outdoors in mulch, wood, debris and soil, the crazy ant can also nest indoors. Dark brown to black ants, workers often run around very erratically. They tend aphids, feed on honeydew, and are considered sweet feeding ants Call and our representative will be able to schedule a service for you.