Pest Control | Northern Nevada’s Increase in Ant Activity

Have you been in Reno or Carson City this summer? You might have noticed a considerable spike in ant activity. As it turns out, ants are far busier this season than they have been in a few years!

Our certified pest control technicians have seen them everywhere this summer. We’ve found them in yards, under houses, in crawl spaces and attics – we’ve even seen them in hot tubs!

There are many different species of ants, and they are drawn to different baits. We’ve added multiple kinds of baits in spaces, microinjected bait into voids and used special sprays. In some areas, the infestations are so bad, we’ve had to insert pesticides underground to reach the ant colonies!

How to Prevent Ant Problems

We’ve noticed in many of our calls that these ants are attracted to the interior of houses due to preventable sanitation issues. It’s extremely important that these issues be handled – prevention is much easier than extermination – and you can do it yourself!

Do you clean up your food spills and water leaks? Is there rotting wood in your home, whether in the basement, attic or as part of your house’s framing? Where is there excessive moisture collecting? Don’t forget to check your pantry, bathroom, closets, under your kitchen sink and other places you don’t clean or rearrange frequently.

Make sure to also explore the perimeter of the exterior and interior of your home. If there are holes in your property’s siding, cracks in its foundation, tree branches extending to the side and roof of your house, or easy access points through exposed pipe ends, you need to eliminate these opportunities for ants to enter the interior of your house. Seal up cracks and holes. Cut back your trees and bushes around your house. Store piles of firewood away from your home.

Use Ant Bait Instead of Sprays

Our customers frequently request that we spray their homes for ants. This is a common tactic, but it is not always the best solution. Frequently, when you spray for ants, the surviving ants disperse for a short while before recolonizing. Then you have ants all over again, and the problem has not been solved. Taking preventative steps to keep ants outside, and baiting for ants already inside, is the best option for eliminating the problem. Although baiting takes more time and persistence, ants will be attracted to bait, bring it back to the colony and spread the poison around the colony. Your colony will be eliminated from the inside out.

If you have more than one species of ants getting into your home, one bait will not necessarily work. Multiple baits can be used to make sure all ants in your house are affected. Before setting out any bait, make sure to eliminate all other food options. Drops of food, grease, syrup and crumbs must be cleaned up.

Need Help Controlling Your Ant Situation?

Ants are busy – and sometimes it’s hard to eliminate them yourself! Our technicians are available to help serve homeowners and commercial building owners in the areas in and around Reno, Carson City and Lake Tahoe. Contact us today!