Ants in the house is a very common pest problem that homeowners in Pennsylvania experience. Whether they are the small ants in your kitchen, or the large carpenter ants chewing at the wood of your home, ant problems can grow quickly. In this article we will discuss the frequently asked questions about ant control that homeowners have.

What kind of ants are these?

There are many species of ants that are native to Pennsylvania. As pest control professionals, we find 6 common ant species in the homes that we treat. Even though the ants are different from each other, they do have some similarities that we can exploit to effectively control and eliminate them.

Ants are social insects, meaning they live in colonies, work together, and have one queen. Since ants are social insects, we can use that against them to control and eliminate the ants. Ant baits and ant liquid sprays can be very effective if they are designed for social insects. These types of control chemicals are designed to let the ant live long enough so that they pass along the bait or liquid spray to other ants. This is how the ant colony can be eliminated.

Common Ant Species in Pennsylvania

Knowing what type of ant that is infesting your home is the first step to proper control and elimination of the ant problem. Although similar, there are some slight differences in the ant species that we encounter.

A proper ant control treatment should factor in the specific ants you have and treat them accordingly.

Are the ants causing damage to my home?

Ants can cause damage to your home depending on the ant species. In Pennsylvania, we are known for having Carpenter Ants. Carpenter Ants are wood destroying pests that live in and damage wood. When they get into the framing of a home, severe damage to the home can occur quickly.

Other species of ants can also create sawdust looking debris as well but may not be actually damaging the home. Some ant species when they create their colonies in the walls or floors, can push out the debris and dust that was already there. This may look like small piles of dirt or dust that the ants removed to build their nest.

If you see more than 10 large ants a day in your house, you may have a carpenter ant nest!

What ant control methods do you use?

Being a professional pest and ant extermination company, we have the professional products and equipment to resolve any ant issue a homeowner has. We consult with the homeowner first, to determine what type of ant species they have and what is the best method to eliminate the ants for their specific home. Below are some of the ant control methods we use.

Ant baits

Ant gel baits are an effective method for ant control in certain circumstances. Ant baits work by having the ants eat the bait and then bring the bait back to the colony. Placing of the ant gel bait is critical for it to be effective. Ant bait should always be put in areas where people, kids, and pets will not have access to it.

Ant baits do have some limitations, however. For example, since the bait is exposed, it can dry out or become less palatable or desirable to the ants. Another issue is sometimes the ants expire before they have an opportunity to share the ant bait with the rest of the colony. A homeowner will continue to see ants for a few days to weeks during an ant bait process. This is due to the time it takes for the bait to make it back to the ant colony and for the colony to be destroyed.

Ant baits work best when used in conjunction with other ant treatment methods

Liquid Ant Treatments

Liquid ant treatments are very effective against ant and ant infestations when used properly. The type of liquid ant treatment should be formulated specifically for social insects such as ants. This means that the ants can’t detect the liquid spray and aren’t killed immediately, which is critical when dealing with an ant infestation. We want the ants to come in contact with the liquid treatment and spread it to the rest of the ant colony. This is a process called transference and is a very effective method for eliminating ants and ant colonies.

The classification of the liquid ant treatment is important to not interfere with the other ant treatment methods we may use at a home. Our liquid ant treatments use a chemical which is considered a non-repellent. This means that the ants can’t detect the liquid spray and will not impact the efficacy of any ant bait we may have used.

Liquid ant treatments are only applied in areas where the ants are located or are traveling. We always ensure that people, pets, and kids are not going to contact any surface that we use the liquid ant treatment on.

We use liquid ant treatments on the inside and outside of the home to completely eliminate ant infestations and colonies.

Ant Dusts and Powders

Ant dusts and powders are long-term ant treatment and prevention methods when used and applied correctly. We apply ant powder to wall voids, cracks, and crevices to actively treat ants and provide residual protection.

For example, if a homeowner has ants on the kitchen counter, we may remove outlet covers and inject the ant dust or powder into the wall itself. This dust or powder, when applied to a wall void will provide long lasting ant treatment and protection while also not being accessible to people, pets, or kids.

Ant treatment methods

Generally, we will use a combination or all 3 of the above ant treatment methods to successfully treat and resolve an ant infestation. We will inspect your home first, determine what type of ant you have, and evaluate the best course of action. No two homes are alike, and no two ant treatments are alike either. We will tailor fit an ant treatment for your specific situation.

Is the ant treatment safe for kids, pets, people, and plants?

We apply ant treatments in areas and manners that reduce the risk to people, pets, kids, and plants. By placing and applying the ant treatment methods in proper areas, we can eliminate the access that people and pets have to the ant products. Many plants are not harmed but actually helped by our ant treatments. Plants can be susceptible to other pests that our ant treatment could help treat.

We will always explain our treatment process and consider the safety factors for your home before we apply any ant treatments. The safety and health or your family, friends, pets, and the environment are always our top priority.

How long will the ant treatment take to work?

Every house is different, and every ant treatment is different as well. We often advise homeowners to be patient for 5-10 days after an ant treatment to see the results. This is because of the ant treatment methods we detail above. Since we are using the ants’ social nature against them, the treatment will need some days to fully get back to the colony and begin the ant colony elimination.

All of our ant treatments are warrantied for 30 days so don’t worry if you are still seeing ants, we got your back!

How much do ant treatments cost?

The cost to treat for ants will vary a little by what species of ant you are currently having a problem with. Generally speaking, a full interior and exterior ant treatment with a 30-day warranty costs approximately $185.00+tax. This can fluctuate based on the size of your home and the species of ant that you have.

How did the ants get into the house?

Ants are small and can enter houses through small cracks and crevices. Sealing up these areas can help prevent future ant infestations. Our exterior ant treatment will treat the outside foundation to stop new ants from coming in.

Are DIY Ant methods worth trying?

Many homeowners will attempt to tackle their ant problem themselves. This usually involves spraying random insecticides from the hardware store or using homemade recipes. Yes, a homeowner may be able to eliminate some ants, it is very unlikely they can eradicate the entire ant colony.

The only DIY ant treatment method we recommend for homeowners is using ant gel baits.

You can find these in most hardware stores. Refer to our Ant Bait section above for more information. This DIY method is good because it may work and if it doesn’t, then our professional ant services are not negatively impacted.

Do I need to leave the house during an ant treatment?

No, the homeowner and their family and pets do not have to leave the house during our treatment. We may ask to remove kids and pets from the area we are treating during the treatment process. Once our ant treatment is applied and dry, the area is perfectly fine for people and pets to occupy again.

None of the ant treatment methods we use inside of the home have an odor so there is no reason to leave the house during a treatment.

What can a homeowner do to keep the ants from coming back?

We hear it all the time from homeowners: “Every spring we have ants”. Yes, our ant treatments will eradicate your ants this year and help lower the chance that they come back next year. We are limited by the longevity of the ant products we use.

A great ant preventative measure is to subscribe to our homeowner protection plan.

With the homeowner protection plan, we service your home every 3 months on the inside and outside. This service treats and prevents ants and other common pests year-round. The service is warrantied in-between services so that if a pest issue arises, we will come and treat for no additional cost.

Ant prevention is a year-round process, and our protection plans will keep you pest-free year-round!

Do you warranty your ant treatments?

Yes! All of our ant treatments come with a 30-day warranty so you can rest easy knowing we have your back! Prudential Pest Solutions is so highly rated because our service is excellent, and we stand behind our work.

Ant Control Company near me

We hope this answered a lot of the frequently asked questions about ant control services and treatments.

Prudential Pest Solutions is a full-service, ant and pest control company. We tailor our ant treatments to your specific home and your specific needs. We have the knowledge, experience, and equipment to handle and resolve ANY ant issue you have.

Contact an ant control specialist today