Ants
One ant is never just one ant.
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Ants are among the most common and persistent household pests in the country. What starts as a single trail across your kitchen counter can quickly escalate into a full-blown infestation hidden inside your walls, under your floors, or deep within your foundation. With over 700 ant species in the U.S. — from odorous house ants to destructive carpenter ants — proper identification is the first step to effective control.
Select Exterminating takes a targeted approach to ant elimination. Our certified technicians identify the species, locate the colony, and apply treatments that don’t just kill the visible workers — they reach the queen. That’s the only way to stop an infestation for good. We offer fast scheduling and proven programs that protect your home from the inside out.
Understanding Ant Infestations
Ant infestations don’t happen overnight — but by the time you notice them, a colony may already be thriving inside your walls, under your floors, or along your foundation. Knowing the early signs helps you act before minor activity becomes a major problem.
Ant trails leading to food or water sources
A visible line of ants moving toward your kitchen, pantry, or plumbing is a strong indicator of an established colony nearby. Ants leave invisible pheromone trails that recruit thousands of additional workers to the same path.
Sawdust-like debris or hollow-sounding wood
These are telltale signs of carpenter ants, which excavate wood to build their nests — not eat it. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don't consume wood, but the structural damage they cause over time can be equally severe.
Our Ant Treatment Process
Effective ant control requires more than surface-level treatment — it means tracing activity back to the source and eliminating the colony entirely. Here’s how our technicians get it done:
Detailed Inspection
Our technicians conduct a thorough property inspection to identify the ant species present, locate entry points, and trace activity back to the source colony — including any satellite nests that may have formed inside the structure.
Treatment Plan
We deploy a combination of baiting systems, perimeter treatments, and direct colony elimination techniques tailored to the specific species. Carpenter ant treatment differs significantly from treatments for pavement or odorous house ants.
Follow-Up
We schedule follow-up visits to confirm the colony has been eliminated, reapply exterior barriers as needed, and address any new activity or entry points discovered after the initial treatment.
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Why Choose Our Ant Control
Select Exterminating brings species-specific expertise to every ant job. Whether you’re dealing with odorous house ants in the kitchen or carpenter ants destroying your woodwork, we have the tools and knowledge to solve it permanently.
Species-specific treatment targeting the colony at its source
Interior and exterior barrier applications for full-property protection
Carpenter ant specialists with structural damage assessment expertise
Frequently asked questions
Why do ants keep coming back even after I treat them myself?
Over-the-counter sprays kill the ants you can see but do nothing to eliminate the colony. When workers die, the queen simply produces more. Professional treatment uses baits and targeted applications that workers carry back to the colony, eventually eliminating the queen and collapsing the infestation.
What's the difference between carpenter ants and termites?
Carpenter ants are larger, black or dark-colored insects that excavate smooth galleries in wood, often leaving behind sawdust-like frass. Termites are smaller, lighter in color, and eat the wood itself, leaving behind a muddy, packed appearance. Both cause serious structural damage and require professional treatment.
How do ants get into my home in the first place?
Ants can enter through cracks as small as 1/16 of an inch in your foundation, around windows and door frames, along utility lines, and through gaps in siding. They’re also commonly carried in on firewood, plants, or grocery bags.
Are ant baits safe to use around children and pets?
The bait products our technicians use are placed in targeted locations — inside bait stations or in areas inaccessible to children and pets. The active ingredients are used at very low concentrations and are considered safe when applied by a licensed professional following label directions.
How long does it take to eliminate an ant infestation?
Most ant infestations show significant improvement within 1 to 2 weeks as workers carry bait back to the colony. Full elimination of larger colonies, particularly carpenter ants, can take 4 to 6 weeks. Our follow-up program ensures we see it through to complete resolution.