Most of us like to handle things ourselves before calling in an expert. Call it being independent, taking charge or just confidence (maybe a little too much at times!). And there’s nothing wrong with that, until the problem lands in a completely different department and calls for a different skill set. Pests are a lot like that. Most homeowners tackle them on their own until they can’t. As pest control professionals, we never discourage a little DIY. A few ants on the kitchen counter– you can always wipe them down or seal up the crumbs and carry on. The trouble starts when a small problem grows into one that can’t be easily fixed.
So how do you know when it’s time to call in help? More specifically, when is an ant infestation serious enough to call pest control? We come across this question a lot, so let’s get into it.
Ants in Kitchen
Ant infestation starts small. One or two ants walk along the backsplash or behind the cabinets. A few days later, there’s a line of them. Then it seems like they’re everywhere. The science behind ant rapid growth is their reproduction anatomy. Ants send signals to their colony and hence, the next day we see hundreds, if not millions, of ants coming and marching.
(Quick DIY tip: Block their access. Caulk cracks and gaps around windows, doors, baseboards, and pipes where they enter the kitchen. Wiping trails away is a temporary fix, but sealing entry points helps keep them out.)
Also, there are two types of ant infestation:
- Probably manageable: You spilled soda or left a plate out, and by morning there’s a trail of ants. It’s annoying but expected. Clean the area, wipe the trail with soapy water, and store food properly.
- Probably serious: You’ve put every food item away, wiped every surface, and the ants still keep coming. Ants that return day after day with no obvious food source nearby have a nest close by, inside or just outside your home.
(Quick DIY tip: Block their access. Caulk cracks and gaps around windows, doors, baseboards, and pipes where they enter the kitchen. Wiping trails away is a temporary fix, but sealing entry points helps keep them out.)
Signs of An Ant Infestation
Spotting a few ants is a normal part of life, especially in Florida’s warm, humid climate. But certain signs tell you the problem is growing. Here are a few of the signs:
1. Seeing Many Ants
Seeing ants regularly, not just once in a while, is a clear sign of an infestation. If they’re turning up in your kitchen, pantry, cabinets, bathrooms and along walls, they’ve found reliable food and water. They’ll keep coming back until you deal with the source.
2. Seeing Ant Nests
If you see lots of ants both inside and outside, there’s a nest somewhere. Nests can look like small mounds of dirt or sand in your yard, along walkways, or near the foundation. Different species nest in different places: some in soil, some in wall voids, under sinks, or beneath bathroom floors, and others in dark, undisturbed spots like attics or rotting wood. If you find a nest, there’s an active colony and one nest often means more nearby.
3. Ant Trails
Ant trails are the lines ants follow between the nest and a food or water source. If you notice ants marching along floors, baseboards, walls, countertops, window frames, or outdoor pavers, it means that they’ve established a route. Trails that show up again and again, even after you clean them – mean the colony is well settled.
4. Ant Pathways – Debris
Debris are the sawdust-like material that appears in long trails near baseboards, windowsills, or wood trim. A small pile of this debris is a strong sign of a nest within the wall or timber.
5. Damaged Wood
Damaged wood is the point where an ant problem stops being a minor concern and becomes a risk to your property. Carpenter ants don’t eat wood the way termites do but they hollow it out to make galleries for their colonies. Over time, this can weaken structural wood. Signs include:
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
- Smooth, tunnel-like channels in damaged wood
- Faint rustling sounds inside walls
- Winged ants (swarmers) appearing indoors, which often means a mature colony is nearby
What Is Serious Ant Infestation?
An ant infestation becomes serious when:
- Ants keep coming back after your cleaning and DIY efforts.
- You find nests inside your walls, floors, or around your foundation
- Ants are spreading to multiple rooms not just the kitchen
- There are signs of wood damage or sawdust-like debris
- Winged ants appear inside your home
- The ants bite or sting. In Florida, fire ants are a particular concern for families and pets, and their stings can be painful and, for some people, dangerous.
- The species is hard to control. Some ants, like ghost ants and crazy ants, split into multiple colonies when disturbed, so spraying visible trails can make things worse.
When to Call Pest Control for Ants?
You should seek pest control assistance even for minor pest concerns (they don’t prove to be minor in many cases), but especially call for pest control when all your DIY efforts fail, or the infestation seems to be growing. Call a professional if:
- You’ve tried DIY treatments and the ants are still there
- You can’t find the source of the trails or the nest
- You see signs of carpenter ants, including frass, hollow wood, or swarmers
- The infestation keeps returning every few weeks or every season
- You have fire ants near areas where children or pets play
- You’re unsure what species you’re dealing with. Correct identification determines the right treatment.
Professional Ant Exterminator
Dave’s Pest Control is a native Floridian company that has been serving Floridians for 45 years. Our ant extermination service is quick and reliable – our licensed exterminator takes time figuring out the issue and leaves your place better than ever!
Call us now for a free inspection or ant control service!
