How to Effectively Control Ants with Presto Pest Solutions' 5-Step Process

November 4, 2024
Presto Pest Solutions

Ant infestations are a common problem for homeowners, and without proper management, they can quickly become overwhelming. From kitchens to basements, ants find their way into homes through tiny cracks and often form colonies near food sources. Simply spraying the visible ants is not enough to eliminate the entire problem; the key lies in identifying and targeting the source — often hidden in outdoor mounds or hard-to-reach spaces inside the home. That’s why at Presto Pest Solutions, we provide comprehensive ant control services in Boise and Meridian using a proven 5-step process designed to eliminate ants and keep them from returning.

If you’re looking for pest control near me or need professional exterminators in the Boise area, our team is here to help with a thorough and strategic approach.

Common Areas Where Ants are Found in Homes

Ants are resourceful and can infiltrate a variety of spaces inside and outside the home, particularly where food or moisture is available:

  • Kitchens: Ants are most frequently found here, attracted to food crumbs, spills, and unsealed food containers.
  • Bathrooms: Moist environments near sinks, tubs, and drains provide attractive nesting areas.
  • Basements and Crawlspaces: Dark, damp spaces in basements often harbor ants that seek out water sources.
  • Cracks and Crevices in Walls: Ants can often be found traveling within wall voids or small openings, especially near exterior walls.
  • Outdoor Areas: Ant colonies commonly build nests in the soil along home foundations, under driveways, or near exterior walls. These are often the main source of indoor infestations.
How to Effectively Control Ants

Step 1: Inspect the Property

Effective ant control starts with a thorough inspection of the home and property. Our trained Boise pest control technicians will look for signs of ant activity inside your home—such as trails, food sources, and potential entry points. Outdoors, we examine your yard and foundation to locate ant mounds and possible colony locations. By identifying where ants are coming from, we can ensure our treatment targets the root of the problem, not just the symptoms.

Step 2: Identify the Type of Ants

Not all ants are the same, and different species require different approaches for effective elimination. Whether you’re dealing with carpenter ants, pavement ants, or odorous house ants, proper identification is essential. Our technicians are experts in identifying local species commonly found in Meridian and Boise, which allows us to customize our approach based on the specific behavior and nesting habits of the ants we’re treating. For example, carpenter ants can cause structural damage by nesting in wood, while sugar ants are drawn to food in your kitchen. Understanding these differences allows us to deploy the right treatments from the start.

Step 3: Create a Customized Course of Action

After inspection and identification, we create a tailored action plan designed to eliminate the infestation.

  • Locate and Treat Outdoor Ant Mounds: A crucial part of our process is treating the source of the infestation. You could kill hundreds of ants inside your home, but that would only eliminate a small percentage of the colony. In fact, you may be addressing less than 10% of the entire population if the colony is thriving in the soil near your home. That’s why we focus on identifying and directly treating outdoor ant mounds. By targeting the colony at its origin, we can eliminate the entire ant     population and prevent them from reentering your home.
  • Spray the Outdoor Perimeter: To further protect your home, we apply a specialized non-repellent residual treatment around the exterior perimeter. Ants traveling between their colony and your home unknowingly pass through this treated area. The non-repellent formula is undetectable to ants, so they won’t avoid it—instead, they carry it back to the colony, gradually spreading the treatment to the rest of the population. This treatment remains effective for up to 90 days, providing long-lasting protection. Our team of exterminators in Boise and Meridian ensures this perimeter barrier stays strong with regular treatments to keep ants from re-invading.

Step 4: Service the Home

Once we’ve treated the exterior, we turn our attention to the interior of your home. Unlike many store-bought pesticides, our approach avoids the use of general sprays that can cause ants to scatter, making the infestation worse.

  • Indoors Treatment - Don't Spray Yourself: Many homeowners resort to DIY pest control using common pesticide sprays that claim to kill hundreds of bugs, including ants. However, using these products can be counterproductive. They may kill visible ants, but often they only repel the colony, forcing it to relocate or scatter, making future treatment more difficult. Instead, we use professional-grade ant-specific non-repellent treatments and baits. Foraging ants pick up these     non-repellent pesticides as they move through treated areas, unknowingly carrying it back to the colony. The slow-acting formula allows the ants to spread the treatment throughout the colony, effectively wiping it out over time.
  • Foam and Dust Treatments for Hard-to-Reach Areas: For some infestations, especially when ants are nesting in wall voids or around appliances like dishwashers, we use foam and dust treatments. These advanced commercial products allow us to treat areas that are difficult to reach with traditional sprays or baits. Foam expands into cracks and crevices, while dust applications settle into areas like wall voids where ants may be hiding. This method ensures the pesticide reaches areas that are most effective while minimizing disturbance from cleaning or everyday activities.

Step 5: Create a Future Plan

Our 90-day pest control plan is designed to provide ongoing protection after the initial treatment. Once the infestation is under control, we create a plan to prevent future ant problems. This may include recommendations for sealing entry points, improving sanitation, and regular perimeter treatments to maintain the residual strength of our outdoor applications.

Our comprehensive approach ensures your home stays ant-free for the long term. With our regular treatments and follow-up, you won’t have to worry about ants returning to your home any time soon. The peace of mind that comes with professional Boise pest control and Meridian pest control is invaluable when it comes to protecting your home and family from pests.

Why Choose Presto Pest Solutions?

If you’re searching for exterminators near me, look no further than Presto Pest Solutions. With years of experience and a commitment to customer safety and satisfaction, we’ve become the go-to provider for pest control in Boise, Meridian, and surrounding areas. Our 5-step process for ant control ensures thorough treatment, from inspection to long-term prevention, so you can live pest-free.

Don’t let ants take over your home! Contact Presto Pest Solutions today for expert Boise pest control and Meridian pest control services. We’ll help you regain control of your home and keep it safe from ants and other pests for the long haul.