When to Call an Ant Exterminator

When Should You Call an Ant Exterminator? – The Short Answer

If you own a home or business, you’ve probably dealt with ants at some point or another. When you see a few, you might wonder whether you’re witnessing the early signs of an infestation or it’s just a few ants running around. You’ve probably even asked yourself, “Should I call an ant exterminator?”

It’s a nuanced question, but let’s start here with the telltale signs that you might have an infestation somewhere in your home or business. You can read our in-depth answer here explaining the signs of a full-blown ant infestation.

Here’s the quick answer to when you might want to consider calling your local ant extermination company:

• When there are more than just a few ants visible
• If you find ant trails leading to food or water
• You find ants in places they shouldn’t be, like your kitchen, in food, or in food storage areas
• You discover ant nests, either indoors or outside
• Ants are causing structural damage
• Ant infestations are recurring, or ants keep coming back

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Dive Deeper – When to Call Ant Control

With ants, it often comes down to how much you can tolerate them. Many people choose simply to ignore ants, while others can’t stand the sight of them – even one is too many. If you’re somewhere in the middle, this guide is designed to help you decide when you should call ant control.

Spotting a few ants in your home or business in Louisiana may not be a major concern. Still, certain signs suggest you should seek professional help:

More Than a Few Ants Visible

Seeing one or two ants might not be an immediate cause for alarm, but if you consistently notice more, it’s a clear sign of a more significant infestation that warrants professional attention. This could indicate a growing colony within your home or business.

Ant Trails Leading to Food or Water

Have you seen steady lines of ants marching through your kitchen, bathroom, or along baseboards? It means that ants have found something they want, and now they’re on a mission to collect it. This likely indicates the presence of a colony nearby.

Ants in Food or Food Storage Areas

You should consider calling an ant exterminator when ants are a recurring problem in your home, specifically in areas where food is present. This includes your pantry, kitchen countertops, and even near pet food bowls.

If you’ve diligently cleaned these areas, removed any food crumbs or spills, and sealed food containers, yet the ants continue to appear, it’s a strong indicator of a larger infestation that requires professional intervention.

Occasional scout ants are normal, but a consistent stream or multiple sightings over several days or weeks, despite your best efforts, suggest a well-established colony nearby.

Ant Nests or Mounds

If you find an actual nest or ant mound, you know with certainty that more ants will follow. Especially if they’re near your foundation, sidewalks, or in your yard, it suggests colonies are well-established and expanding.

Structural Damage Caused by Ants

Most ants don’t cause structural damage, but carpenter ants do. Sawdust-like material (frass) beneath wooden structures, hollow-sounding wood, or actual visible damage to wooden elements is a sign you might be dealing with a carpenter ant infestation, or worse yet, termites.

Recurring Infestations

If ants keep returning despite your best efforts, the colony likely has multiple queens or satellite nests, and professional help may be needed to solve the problem.

Should You Try DIY Ant Control or Call an Exterminator?

There’s nothing wrong with attempting some DIY ant control before calling a professional. But if you do, you should also understand the risks and limitations of trying to get rid of an ant infestation yourself.

• Ineffectiveness: Over-the-counter products often only kill the worker ants you see, failing to eliminate the hidden nest and the queen. The colony survives, and the problem quickly returns.
• Misidentification: Different ant species require different treatments. Using the wrong product can be completely ineffective or even make the problem worse by causing the colony to split and spread (a process called “budding”).
• Safety Hazards: Improper use, mixing, or storage of pesticides can pose a risk to children, pets, and even adults in the household.
• Hidden Costs: People view DIY ant control as the more budget-friendly option, but that’s not necessarily the case. The trial-and-error approach of DIY methods can lead to spending significant time and money on various products that don’t solve the core problem.
• Finding the Source: It’s very difficult for a homeowner or business owner to locate the source of the infestation, which is crucial for effective elimination.

Can Exterminators Get Rid of Ants?

Yes, professional exterminators can get rid of ant infestations on your Louisiana property. Trained pest control specialists (like the team here at Ja-Roy) have the skills and tools to tackle entire ant colonies, not just the ones you spot.

With a professional ant control company, you’ll get:

• Comprehensive Treatment: Experienced ant exterminators use commercial-grade products and techniques designed to eliminate the entire colony, including the queen, for a long-term solution. Our professional ant exterminators start by inspecting your property to identify the ant species, locate entry points, and find nesting sites. We’ll apply targeted treatments aimed at both indoor and outdoor areas where colonies could form.
• Safety and Precision: They are trained in the safe and precise application of treatments to protect your family and pets while maximizing effectiveness.
• Guaranteed Results: Most professional services come with a guarantee, meaning they will return for follow-up treatments if the pest problem persists.
• Rapid Improvement: A professional can resolve the issue much faster and more effectively than a DIY approach, preventing a small problem from becoming a major infestation.

Should You Worry About Ants?

Again, it mostly comes down to how much you can tolerate ants. In general, they’re not very dangerous, and their destructive potential is minimal.

Most types of ants are primarily nuisance pests. Certain ant species, such as the fire ant and tawny ant, can be aggressive and may sting when threatened or when their nest is disturbed. These ants are often found around sidewalks or near driveways, which is why they’re frequently near your property.

Perhaps the most worrisome ant species is the carpenter ant. These wood-boring ants engage in tunneling behavior and can damage structures if untreated.

Get Expert Ant Control from Ja-Roy Pest Control

We all know that ants can be frustrating to deal with, especially when it comes to dangerous or destructive species. Ant infestations are tough to get rid of. They can quickly form multiple colonies, making it hard to control them without expert help. That’s why hiring a professional ant exterminator is the best way to get rid of them for good.

At Ja-Roy, we focus on keeping our clients and their families safe. We offer the latest ant control solutions to protect health and property. So get started with an estimate – reach out to our team today!