Services

Ant Control

Targeted baiting and barrier treatments that eliminate the colony, not just the ants you can see.

Ants are one of the most persistent pests in Southwest Florida because treating the ants you can see rarely solves the problem — the colony behind them keeps producing more. They live in colonies of thousands, sometimes maintaining multiple nests at once, and once they find a reliable source of food and water in your yard or home, they don't leave easily. Common species in our area include fire ants, white-footed ants, ghost ants, and big-headed ants — each behaves differently, which is why correctly identifying the species matters before treatment begins. We inspect, identify, and apply targeted baits and barrier treatments that reach the colony itself, not just the trailing workers.

Want to know exactly what you're up against? Read more about Ants in our pest library.

Why Act Now

Ants aren't just an annoyance. Fire ants, one of the most common species in Southwest Florida, can sting repeatedly and cause painful, itching welts — a serious concern for children, pets, and anyone with allergies. Beyond stings, ants in general track bacteria across food prep surfaces and can contaminate stored food. Carpenter ants are a structural threat: they tunnel through wood to nest, and sustained infestations can compromise framing, window frames, and door frames over time. The colony structure is also what makes ants difficult to treat — store-bought sprays kill the workers you see, but the queen and the rest of the colony keep reproducing.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Visible trails of ants — especially near food sources, water lines, or trash
Small piles of dirt or wood shavings near baseboards, window sills, or door frames
Ant nests in mulch beds, under pavers, around the foundation, or in lawn areas
Rustling or faint crunching sounds inside walls — a sign of carpenter ant tunneling
Fire ant mounds in the yard, typically dome-shaped with no visible entrance hole at the top

What You Can Do Between Visits

Seal cracks and gaps around your home's foundation, windows, and utility penetrations — ants can enter through very small openings
Fix leaking pipes and faucets; use a dehumidifier in damp areas — moisture is a primary attractant
Keep a 6-inch gap between soil or mulch and your foundation; direct soil contact gives ants an easy bridge inside
Store all food (including pet food) in sealed containers; wipe down counters and clean floors regularly
Keep outdoor trash cans and recycling bins sealed with tight-fitting lids
Trim back tree branches and shrubs that touch your house — ants use these as access routes

Our Process

Species identification — fire ants, ghost ants, carpenter ants, and other species require different treatment approaches; we identify first
Nest location — we find not just trailing workers but the nesting sites, which may be in the lawn, mulch, under slabs, or inside the structure
Targeted baiting — bait formulations that workers carry back to the colony, eliminating it from the source including the queen
Barrier treatment — product applied around the home's perimeter, entry points, and active areas to stop new foragers from entering
Follow-up to confirm colony elimination and address any new activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What ant species are most common in Southwest Florida?

Fire ants, white-footed ants, ghost ants, and big-headed ants are the species we see most often. Each has different colony structures, nesting habits, and food preferences, which is why the treatment approach varies by species.

Are ants dangerous?

Fire ants can sting repeatedly and cause painful welts — a real concern for children, pets, and anyone with allergies. Ants in general contaminate food and spread bacteria. Carpenter ants tunnel through wood to nest and can cause structural damage over time in sustained infestations.

Why do ants keep coming back after I spray them myself?

Store-bought sprays kill the workers you can see, but the queen and the rest of the colony keep reproducing. Targeted baiting that workers carry back to the colony — reaching the queen — is what actually resolves the problem.

Can you treat fire ant mounds in the yard?

Yes. Fire ant mounds in lawns are a common request. We treat individual mounds directly and apply broadcast treatments to the yard to address the wider population, since a single yard can have dozens of active colonies.

How long does ant treatment take to work?

Bait-based treatments typically take days to a few weeks to work through the colony — they're slower than contact sprays by design, because workers need to bring the bait back and feed it to the colony. You'll usually see a significant reduction in activity within one to two weeks.