Ant Control and Extermination

Ants are one of the most common invaders of homes. On top of that, they are one of the hardest pests to get rid of without professional ant extermination. Most over-the-counter products don’t eliminate them permanently because there are typically hundreds (or thousands) of ants nesting nearby.

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Ants Can Enter Your Home From Anywhere

Aptive’s residual ant extermination products attack and destroy nests, greatly decreasing the chances of reinfestation. Plus, our treatments ensure that you won’t pay an extra cent if they return because we will come back too, at no additional cost!

About Ants

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  • Why Do You Have an Ant Problem?
  • Ant Behavior
  • Dangerous Ants
  • Signs of Ant Infestation
  • Argentine Ants

    Worker ants are about ⅛” (2.2 mm) in length. Their color is uniform, between light brown and dark brown. If stepped on, they give off a musty smell. They often live in mulch, landscaping materials or wall insulation.

  • Fire Ants

    Fire ants are small in size, only about 1/8 to 1/4-inch long. They have six legs, are oval in shape, have reddish-brown coloring and antennae. If you look closely, you’ll notice that fire ants have mandibles for biting as well as a stinger.

  • Odorous Ants

    Odorous ants are 2.4 mm to 3.3 mm in length. They are dark brown or black in color and have a smooth, hairless body. When crushed, odorous ants emit a rotten coconuts scent. Odorous ants are typically found in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.

  • Pavement Ants

    Approximately 1/10” (2.5mm) long, slightly smaller than a grain of rice. Color is brown to black with parallel lines on the head. Legs are a lighter color than the body. Antennae have 12 segments.

  • Pharaoh Ants

    They are only about 1/16”. Their color is yellow, golden amber or brown. A magnifying glass will show you that they have black markings on the abdomen and 12 segments in their antennae. Often confused with thief ants, which are similar in size and color.

  • Thief Ants

    At 1.5 mm to 2.2 mm in length, thief ants are one of the smallest species of ant. They have very small eyes in comparison to the size of their heads. Thief ants are usually yellowish or brownish in color and are very smooth and shiny.

  • Typically, ants invade homes because they are attracted to food and water in the kitchen. This happens when there are uncleaned spills or food leftovers that were improperly sealed. However, problems that require ant extermination are usually deeper than this. If ants keep coming back after you get rid of them, they have a nest nearby. Even spotting just one ant can raise a red flag that there are hundreds, if not thousands, nesting nearby.

  • Ants are social insects who communicate with each other using pheromones and touch. They primarily use their antennae to pick up pheromone cues left by other ants.  Whenever you see ants walking in a line, they are following the scent trail left by another ant. It’s rare for ants to break off this trail aside from scout ants that hunt for more food sources. Ant extermination professionals often follow this trail to find nests.

  • While most species of ants are harmless, there are a few that can sting humans or destroy your home. A few examples include carpenter ants, fire ants, and odorous house ants. If these are infesting your home, you’ll want to seek out ant extermination as soon as possible before it becomes out of hand. On top of that, the presence of ants can attract even more pests that prey on ants (such as various types of spiders, or even bats). They can also contaminate food sources in your home if they have access.

  • The easiest way to identify an ant infestation is to see them trailing around your home. However, you could notice them nesting in your backyard as well. Mounds of dirt, clay, or sand around your home can signal a large ant nest. Some species have their own unique identifiers. For example, carpenter ants could leave piles of wood shavings around your home because they hollow out wood to nest inside. You might also hear light rusting inside the walls of your home if you have a carpenter ant issue.

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Identifying Ants

There are hundreds of ant species that could be invading your home. Since most are small and look very similar, it can be difficult to identify what type of ant you’re dealing with. Identification is important when determining the ant control method – some species don’t respond well to certain treatments. This is another reason professional ant extermination is effective. Some homeowners will waste their time (and money) on treatments that don’t work on the species they’re dealing with. In addition, some species can sting, bite, or cause damage to your home. A professional will be able to accurately identify the ant species as well as the best method to get rid of them.

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Aptive Environmental Can Help

If you have an ant infestation, our pest professionals can perform effective ant extermination that lasts. Our methods target the nest, ensuring that there are no more ants left to invade your home. We focus on the source of the problem. Plus, our treatment ensures that we will come back at no additional cost if the pests we eliminate come back!

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