When to Call an Exterminator for Ants
Dealing with ants invading your home can be a frustrating and sometimes daunting task. From tiny trails of ghost ants to menacing colonies of carpenter ants, these pests can wreak havoc on your living space and peace of mind. Knowing when to handle the problem yourself and when to call in the professionals can make all the difference in effectively eliminating an ant infestation.
Do You Have an Ant Infestation?
Ants are not just pesky insects — they can pose various threats to your home and well-being. Identifying the type of ants infesting your property is the crucial first step in addressing the issue. Understanding their behavior and habits can help you assess the severity of the infestation and determine the most appropriate course of action.
6 Types of Ants You May Encounter at Home
1. Carpenter Ants
Among the most destructive ants, carpenter ants can wreak havoc on your home's structural integrity. These large, reddish-black ants prefer moist environments and often nest in decaying wood. They may enter your home through damaged areas, such as rotting window sills or cracked door frames, posing a significant threat to wooden structures. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood — they excavate galleries in it for nesting. Their presence often indicates a moisture problem creating suitable nesting conditions.
2. Pavement Ants
Commonly found nesting in cracks and crevices of pavement and concrete structures, pavement ants are small, black, or dark brown in color. While they do not cause structural damage, they can contaminate food if they invade your home.
3. Argentine Ants
Invasive and adaptable, Argentine ants can form expansive supercolonies that displace native ant species and disrupt local ecosystems. Their presence can lead to food contamination, and they emit a foul odor when crushed.
4. Fire Ants (Red Imported Fire Ants)
Known for their painful stings, fire ants can be a significant nuisance, particularly for those allergic to their venom. These aggressive ants typically nest outdoors in mounds but can venture indoors in warmer climates like Central Florida. Fire ant stings can trigger severe allergic reactions in sensitive individuals and pose a hazard to children and pets.
5. Ghost Ants
Ghost ants are among the most common household ant pests in Florida. They are extremely small — almost translucent — with a dark head and pale legs and abdomen. They nest in wall voids, under floors, and in potted plants, forming multiple sub-colonies connected by foraging trails. Ghost ants require gel baiting programs for effective control because broadcast insecticide applications can cause colony splitting, worsening the infestation.
6. Crazy Ants
Characterized by their erratic, rapid movements and nesting habits, crazy ants are challenging to control once they infiltrate your home. These dark brown or black ants are attracted to food sources and electrical equipment — they are known to damage electronics by nesting inside them and shorting circuits.
Ant Pest Control Solutions to Try First
If you're dealing with a minor ant infestation, there are several DIY solutions you can attempt before calling a professional. Gel bait stations placed along ant trails can be effective for small ghost ant or pavement ant activity. Sealing entry points where ants are entering — around pipes, window frames, and door thresholds — reduces ingress. Eliminating food and water sources through proper sanitation removes the attractant that brought ants indoors in the first place.
When to Call an Exterminator for Ants
Call a professional when:
- DIY baiting or sprays have not resolved the problem within two to three weeks
- You are seeing carpenter ants, which may indicate structural damage and a moisture problem requiring professional diagnosis
- You are dealing with fire ant mounds on your property, particularly if children or pets use the outdoor space
- Ghost ant trails are throughout multiple rooms, indicating an established multi-queen colony in wall voids
- The infestation is recurring despite your sanitation efforts
- You cannot locate the nest or entry points
Professional ant control programs use species-specific baits and treatments that address the colony rather than just the foraging workers. Many consumer sprays are repellent — they push ants away from treated areas rather than eliminating the colony, which causes colony fragmentation and makes the problem harder to resolve. A licensed technician identifies the species, locates harborage areas, and applies treatments that workers carry back to the queen.
GreenCore Environmental treats ant infestations throughout Central Florida as part of our General Pest Control plan. Contact us at (866) 816-BUGS to schedule a free inspection.