Ants we treat in Arcadia
- Argentine ants
- Small, light to dark brown and moving in long, fast trails. This is the ant behind most Arcadia calls. Their colonies have many queens and link up across yards, which is why they seem endless.
- Odorous house ants
- Small and dark, with a rotten-coconut smell when crushed. Common in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Carpenter ants
- Large and black or reddish-black. They do not eat wood like termites but carve nests in damp or damaged wood. Finding them indoors often means a leak somewhere.
- Southern fire ants and native fire ants
- Reddish ants that sting. They nest in sunny lawns and garden beds and are a concern for kids and pets.
- Pavement ants
- Dark ants that push small piles of sand up through cracks in driveways and patios.
Why ants keep coming back
Argentine ants arrived in California more than a century ago and now dominate yards across Southern California. One supercolony can stretch across a whole block. Spraying the trail kills the workers you can see, but the queens and the nest stay untouched, and new workers fill the trail in a day or two.
Over-the-counter sprays can also make things worse. They scatter the colony, and the ants split into several smaller groups that come in from new spots.
Seeing this at your place right now? A local technician can talk it through with you on the phone.
Call (626) 555-0142When ants come inside in Arcadia
- During hot, dry stretches in summer, when ants come indoors for water.
- Right after the first rain in fall or winter, when nests flood and ants move up.
- When aphids and scale on citrus, roses and hedges are heavy, since ants farm them for their honeydew.
- After landscaping or new planting disturbs nests near the house.
How we treat ants
Find the trails and the source
Call (626) 555-0142. The technician follows trails back outside to find where they enter and where they nest.
Slow-acting baits
Gel and liquid baits are placed along trails, inside and out. Worker ants carry the bait back to the colony and feed it to the queens. This is what actually shrinks the colony.
Exterior treatment
A non-repellent product is applied around the foundation and entry points. Ants walk through it without noticing and carry it back too.
Seal and advise
The technician points out entry gaps to seal and conditions to fix, like plants touching the house or aphid-covered shrubs.
Follow-up if needed
Heavy infestations may need a second visit. Many homeowners put ants on a recurring plan because Argentine ants reinvade from neighboring yards.
Tips to cut down on ants
- Wipe counters and sweep floors daily during trail season. Crumbs and sticky spots draw scouts.
- Keep sugar, honey and pet food in sealed containers.
- Trim shrubs and branches so they do not touch the house.
- Fix leaky faucets and drips under sinks.
- Treat aphids on citrus and roses, since they feed ants.
- Do not spray trails with household cleaners if baits are out. It kills the ants carrying bait home.
Ant control FAQ
Why do I see more ants after treatment?
For a few days after baiting, ants may be more visible as they collect the bait. That is a good sign. Activity usually drops within a week.
Are ant baits safe around kids and pets?
Gel baits are placed in cracks and bait stations are closed, so kids and pets cannot reach the bait. Follow the technician's instructions on placement.
Do carpenter ants mean I have a moisture problem?
Often, yes. They prefer wood that is wet or already damaged. Finding and fixing the leak is part of solving the problem.
Can ants be gone for good?
Argentine ants live across whole neighborhoods, so complete elimination is unlikely. Regular treatment keeps them outside and out of sight.