Ant Control In & Around Your Home

Why ants keep coming back

The ants you see are workers looking for food and water. The colony, with the queens, is usually outside in the soil, under concrete, or in a wall. Wiping up a trail or spraying the ants you see does not reach the colony, so a new trail shows up a few days later. Effective ant control focuses on where the ants are coming from, not just where they show up.

Common ants in the Sacramento area

• Argentine ants: small, brown, and the classic kitchen trail ant. Large colonies that often move inside during hot, dry weather and after heavy rain.
• Odorous house ants: small and dark, with a sour smell when crushed. Often found near sinks and in wall voids.
• Pavement ants: nest under slabs, driveways and sidewalks, and leave small piles of soil in cracks.
• Carpenter ants: larger ants that nest in damp or damaged wood. They do not eat wood, but they hollow it out, so they can point to a moisture problem.

How we treat ants

We look at where the ants are entering, where they are trailing, and where the colonies are likely to be. Treatment is placed around the outside of the structure and at entry points, with indoor treatment where it is needed. The aim is to reduce the colony that is sending ants inside, not just clear the trail in front of you.

Ant or termite?

Ants and termites both swarm, and winged ants inside the house are easy to mistake for termites. Ants have bent antennae, a pinched waist, and front wings longer than the back wings. Termites have straight antennae, a thick waist, and wings of equal length. If you are not sure, save a few and call us. If it turns out to be termites, see our termite control page.

Tips that help

• Store sweets, pet food and pantry items in sealed containers
• Wipe counters and rinse recyclables
• Fix leaks, since many ants come inside looking for water
• Trim plants and branches so they do not touch the house
• Avoid spraying trails with household sprays before service, since it can scatter the ants

Ant control near you

We handle ants for homes and businesses in Rio Linda, Sacramento, North Highlands, Antelope, Citrus Heights, Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Granite Bay, Rancho Cordova, Folsom, Elk Grove, West Sacramento, Davis, Woodland, Auburn, Placerville, Napa, Fairfield, Stockton and Lodi. We also treat cockroaches, bed bugs, spiders and other common pests. Call (916) 999-9747 Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, or send a message below.