Arizona's Ant Control Experts
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If you've tried store-bought ant spray, you already know it doesn't work. The ants disappear for a day or two. Then they come right back. Sometimes worse than before.
Our technicians handle ant problems across the Phoenix metro area every day, from Goodyear to Apache Junction. Fire ants in the yard. Carpenter ants in the walls. Tiny ants swarming the kitchen counter. We know which species you're dealing with and exactly how to eliminate them.
The secret to ant control isn't killing the ants you see. It's eliminating the colony you don't. That means getting to the queen. Our approach targets the entire colony, not just the foragers in your kitchen.
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Ant Species in Arizona
Arizona has dozens of ant species. Several cause serious problems for homeowners.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America notes that fire ant stings can trigger life-threatening allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Fire ants build dome-shaped mounds in yards and open areas. They're aggressive and sting when their mound is disturbed. Fire ant stings burn intensely and leave raised welts. They attack in groups, and a single disturbance can result in dozens of stings.
Harvester ants are large red ants common throughout Arizona. They create bare, cleared areas around their mound entrances. Harvester ants have a painful sting. They're less aggressive than fire ants but will defend their colony when threatened.
Carpenter ants are large black ants that nest in wood. Unlike termites, they don't eat wood. They excavate galleries to build their nests, pushing sawdust-like debris called frass out of entry holes. Carpenter ants cause structural damage over time and often indicate moisture problems.
Rover ants are tiny ants, barely visible, that swarm in massive numbers. They're attracted to sweet substances and moisture. Rover ant colonies can number in the millions. They don't sting or cause structural damage but are extremely annoying when they invade kitchens and bathrooms.
Odorous house ants are small brown ants that smell like rotten coconut when crushed. They trail along counters and baseboards looking for food. Odorous house ants have multiple queens per colony, making them difficult to eliminate.
Pharaoh ants are tiny yellow ants that infest buildings. They're a serious problem in hospitals and food facilities. Pharaoh ants are notoriously hard to control because they "bud" when threatened. Spraying them causes the colony to split into multiple new colonies, making the problem worse.
Why Store-Bought Sprays Don't Work
Most people's first response to ants is grabbing a can of spray. Here's why that approach fails:
You're only killing scouts. The ants in your kitchen are foragers. They represent a tiny fraction of the colony. The queen and thousands of other ants remain safely hidden in the nest.
Sprays repel rather than kill. Contact sprays leave residue that repels ants. Surviving ants simply find a new route into your home, often emerging somewhere else entirely.
Some species split when threatened. Pharaoh ants and Argentine ants respond to pesticide exposure by budding. One colony becomes several. Your ant problem multiplies.
The queen keeps laying eggs. A queen ant can lay thousands of eggs. Kill a hundred foragers, and the queen replaces them within days. Until she's eliminated, the colony keeps producing.
Professional ant control uses baits that foragers carry back to the nest. The active ingredient spreads through the colony through feeding and grooming. The queen dies, and the colony collapses. This takes slightly longer than spray but actually solves the problem.
Signs of an Ant Problem
Some ant problems are obvious. Others develop quietly before you notice.
Ant trails. Lines of ants marching along baseboards, counters, or walls indicate an established foraging route. Ants leave pheromone trails that guide other ants to food sources.
Ants in food areas. Finding ants in your pantry, around pet food, or on counters is the most common sign. They're after sugar, grease, protein, or moisture.
Mounds in your yard. Fire ant and harvester ant mounds are visible in lawns, landscape beds, and along walkways. Disturbing these mounds provokes defensive stinging.
Sawdust piles. Small piles of wood shavings near walls, windowsills, or under eaves may indicate carpenter ant activity. They push excavated wood out of their galleries.
Winged ants indoors. Seeing winged ants inside your home, especially in spring, signals a mature colony nearby. These reproductive ants are looking to start new colonies.
Ant Treatment Process
HOW WE WORK
1
Species Identification
Different ants require different treatments. Our technicians identify which species you have. This determines bait formulation, placement strategy, and treatment approach. Fire ants, carpenter ants, and pharaoh ants each need specific methods.
2
Baiting for Colony Elimination
We use professional-grade baits that foraging ants carry back to the colony. The active ingredient spreads through the colony through feeding and grooming. The queen dies, and the colony collapses. This takes 1 to 2 weeks but actually solves the problem.
3
Perimeter and Interior Treatment
Residual products around your home's exterior kill ants trying to enter. Inside, we apply baits and targeted treatments along trails, entry points, and areas where ants congregate. Fire ant and harvester ant mounds are treated directly.
4
Follow-up and Monitoring
Some ant species take time to eliminate completely. We monitor progress and retreat as needed until the problem is resolved. Complete colony elimination may take 2 to 4 weeks depending on species and colony size.
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Health Concerns from Ants
Ants aren't just a nuisance. Some species pose genuine health risks.
Fire ant stings. Fire ant stings cause intense pain and can trigger life-threatening allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Multiple stings are common because fire ants attack in groups.
Food contamination. Ants travel through unsanitary areas before entering your home. They walk across counters and through food, potentially transferring bacteria.
Allergic reactions. Beyond stings, some people are allergic to ant body parts and waste products. Large infestations can trigger respiratory symptoms in sensitive individuals.
Pet safety. Fire ants attack pets that disturb their mounds. Small dogs and cats are especially vulnerable. Pets can receive dozens of stings before escaping.
Preventing Ant Problems
Professional treatment eliminates existing colonies. These practices help prevent new infestations:
Clean up food sources. Wipe counters, sweep floors, and clean up spills immediately. Store food in sealed containers. Don't leave pet food out overnight.
Fix moisture problems. Ants need water. Repair leaky faucets, pipes, and AC drip lines. Many ant species are attracted to moisture as much as food.
Seal entry points. Caulk gaps around windows, doors, and utility penetrations. Ants can squeeze through incredibly small openings.
Trim vegetation. Branches and plants touching your home provide ant highways. Keep landscaping trimmed back from the structure.
Move firewood away from the house. Firewood stacks harbor ant colonies. Keep wood at least 20 feet from your home and elevated off the ground.
The Ant-Scorpion Connection
Ants are a primary food source for scorpions. Heavy ant activity around your home creates a feeding ground that attracts scorpions.
When we treat for ants, we're also reducing scorpion pressure. Many customers who call about ants notice fewer scorpions after treatment. It's all connected.
Our regular pest control service addresses both ants and the predators they attract. If you're seeing scorpions along with ants, mention it during your service call.
Don't just take our word for it
You should see reduced ant activity within a few days. Complete colony elimination typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. Baits work slower than sprays but actually solve the problem instead of just scattering ants.
This is normal and temporary. Baits attract ants before killing them. You may see increased activity as foragers find the bait and carry it back to the colony. Once the queen dies, activity drops dramatically.
Yes. We use products approved for residential use and apply them according to label directions. Baits are placed in areas inaccessible to pets and children. We'll provide specific guidance for your situation.
Size, color, and behavior help identify species. Small black ants on counters are usually odorous house ants. Large black ants near wood may be carpenter ants. Red ants in mounds are likely fire ants or harvesters. Our technicians can identify the species during inspection.
Treating outdoor colonies reduces the number of ants trying to enter your home. However, perimeter treatment around the structure is also important. A complete approach addresses both indoor and outdoor activity.
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