ANT EXTERMINATOR SERVICES

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Ants are probably the most common pest species worldwide. Though they serve an important role in our ecosystems, they become a nuisance pest when they enter our homes. In fact, carpenter ants burrow through, nest in, and break down wood, which is beneficial to our environment, but not so good if they gain access to your home. In fact, carpenter ants are what is considered a wood-destroying insect, and can cause serious damage if the problem is not quickly taken care of. They are also one of the most resilient ant species, and often do not respond to commonly available treatments that can be bought in stores or online. 

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When should I hire an exterminator for ants?

If you have ants and common home remedies are just not cutting it, then it's time to call a professional. At Pest Arrest, we are able to treat almost any ant problem, and in fact, we are usually able to provide same-day ant extermination service to our customers. At Pest Arrest, our ant treatments are safe for pets, plants, and people, and are guaranteed for 30 days. This means that in the unlikely event that the ants do come back, we will too, and at no cost to you. We provide professional ant treatment and extermination to the Chicagoland  and Denver metro areas. Our treatments are eco-friendly and safe around pets and people. 

At Pest Arrest, no ant species is spared. From thief and pharoah ants, through odorous, sugar, carpenter ants, and everything in between, Pest Arrest is here to help. Call us today to schedule a service or estimate, or just fill out our online form.

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How does an AntGuard treatment work?

For many homeowners, ants are an annual nuisance. Each spring, their home is overrun by ants as soon as the first warm days arrive. If you do not currently have a problem Pest Arrest recommends having an AntGuard treatment done each spring, before the ants arrive in force. Our AntGuard treatment creates an invisible protective barrier around the perimeter of your home that lasts for months. The ants do not even know it's there, and as they attempt to make their way into your home they are "infected" and slowly spread it to the other ants in the colony. Soon, the colony that was eying your home is gone, and your home is safe. The treatment leaves no residue, as it contains microscopic capsules that adhere to the surface of the brick and soil around your home. As there is no liquid chemical the product is not absorbed by plants or soil. The micro-encapsulation allows the treatment to keep working for months after application. 

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What are the most common pest ant species?

 

• Pavement ant. Probably the most common ant in structures, the pavement ant, is so named because it excavates an underground nest and pushes the soil into conical mounds along rocks, concrete slabs, sidewalks and driveways. Nests also can be found in logs, mulch, wall and floor voids, and insulation. Pavement ants are dark brown-black and about 1/6-inch long. They forage 30 feet or more from their nest in search of a variety of foods, including grease and oils, seeds, sweets and honeydew. They are often seen indoors after heavy rain drenches their underground territories.

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• Odorous house ant. This 1/8-inch long, brownish-black ant can be confused with the pavement ant, until the odorous house ant is crushed, releasing an odor like rotten coconut. In recent years it has become an increasingly common household invader. Nests are found under rocks, boards and other debris, and in floor and wall voids. These ants will move indoors during rains and in the fall. They feed on sweets, honeydew, plant and fruit juices, meat and dairy products.

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• Carpenter ant. Most ant species are not immediately harmful to your home, with the exception of Carpenter ants. Carpenter ants are considered a wood-destroying insect, and can cause significant damage to your home if they are not stopped immediately. These pests dig through and nest in the wood inside your home and can eventually weaken the structure, in addition to any cosmetic damage they cause. Indoor nests are usually “satellite” nests connected to the colony’s main nest outdoors. Satellite nests are often established in wood where moisture problems exist (e.g., around leaking pipes, inadequately sealed window frames and roof leaks). To identify a carpenter ant infestation, look for big black ants and piles of "sawdust" near any wood in and around your home.  Carpenter ants are also more resilient than most other ant species, and are immune to most home remedies. 

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• Pharaoh ant. Another resilient ant species that can survive most remedies is the Pharaoh ant. This tiny (1/12-inch) ant is yellow to reddish-brown. Pharaoh ants nest in voids in floors, walls and ceilings. They often infest large buildings. In hospitals, these ants pose a health risk because they can carry infectious bacteria from the warm, moist areas they inhabit, to intravenous fluids, blood and wounds. These ants are problematic for pest management, as the colonies of this ant do not spread by swarming, but instead by “budding,” breaking apart and establishing sub-colonies in new locations. This process can be triggered when the colony is stressed by the application of repellent liquid or dust pesticides. Colonies can be very large, some containing more than 100,000 ants. Though not as common as the other ant species, these and carpenter ants typically require professional service to effectively control and eliminate. 

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How does Pest Arrest get rid of ants?

Though ant problems can often be resolved with DIY methods such as ant bait and over-the-counter sprays, these methods do not always work, and rarely provide a long-lasting solution. The products available to homeowners usually leave residue and odor, and can in fact be more toxic than what is available to professionals, due in part to the use of petroleum distillates. At Pest Arrest, the majority of the treatments we apply are EPA certified low-risk, with the active ingredients often used in flea treatments for pets. All of our technicians are trained in Integrated-Pest-Management, and we utilize the safest eco-friendly pest control products available. 

 

After an initial assessment, our licensed technician will explain the treatment process and what results to expect. Typically the ants are gone within a few days of the treatment, and the product will keep killing any new ones for up to three months. The products we use are known in the industry as non repellent micro-encapsulated residual treatments. This means that our treatments usually leave no visible residue and cannot even be detected by the ants. A thin invisible layer of microscopic capsules adheres to the surface on which the treatment was applied, and the ants continue to go about their business. Unbeknownst to them the treatment spreads like a virus, and wipes out the entire colony within days. The residual takes care of any stragglers. For continued peace of mind we recommend the ARREST™ System quarterly service, which protects against most common pests, including all species of ants. As an affordable exterminator in the Denver and Chicagoland areas, we are here to help! 

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