Effective ant control in 2025 relies on the same core steps extension entomologists have recommended for years: identify the ant, find where it gets in, remove food and water, seal entry points and use slow-acting baits that foragers carry back to the colony. Sprays that kill only the ants you can see rarely solve the problem, because the queens and most of the colony stay hidden in the nest. Saela Pest Control is a residential and commercial pest control company, based in Orem, Utah, that provides the best ant control for homes and businesses, with protocols developed by Board Certified Entomologist Dennis Weiss. This guide explains why ants keep returning, which methods work and when professional ant control helps.
Why Ant Problems Keep Coming Back
Ant problems return when treatment reaches the foragers but not the nest. University of Kentucky’s ant control guide for homeowners explains that the ants you see foraging are only a small portion of the colony, with thousands more, including the egg-laying queens, hidden in a nest under mulch, stones or pavement, behind walls, cabinets and appliances, or beneath concrete slabs.
Some species make this harder. UC IPM’s pest note on ants explains that Argentine ant colonies link together into one large supercolony with multiple queens, and the University of Kentucky notes that odorous house ant colonies may split into smaller ones. Three facts explain most repeat infestations:
- Foraging ants are only a small share of the colony, and the queens that lay eggs stay in the nest
- Some species, such as Argentine ants, form linked colonies with many queens, so destroying one nest doesn’t end the problem
- Ants come indoors for food, water, warmth and shelter, or to escape hot, dry weather or flooding
What Actually Works: Baits, Not Just Sprays
UC IPM calls baits a key tool for managing ants and the only type of insecticide recommended in most situations. Workers carry small portions of bait back to the nest and share it with other workers, larvae and queens, which is how a bait reaches the colony.
Baits must be slow-acting so foragers have time to get back to the nest before they die. Iowa State University Extension’s guide to ant baits adds that sprays and household cleaners can keep ants from feeding on bait. To get the most from a bait:
- Place it along active trails and near the spots where ants enter
- Don’t spray insecticides or use cleaners around the bait
- Expect more ants at first, which shows they are feeding, and give the bait time to work
When Professional Ant Control Makes Sense
Professional help makes sense when ants keep returning after baiting, when the nest is inside a wall or under a slab, or when you can’t tell which species you have. Saela’s article on why ants keep coming back covers the most common reasons.
A professional inspection looks for the trails, nests and moisture problems behind an infestation. Every Saela plan includes a 50+ point property inspection that checks entry points and nesting sites. A technician adds value in three ways:
- Identifying the species, since some ants, such as pharaoh ants, can spread to new areas when treated with repellent sprays, according to Ohio State University Extension
- Finding nests hidden behind walls, cabinets and appliances or under concrete slabs
- Following up: Saela plans include no-charge return visits for covered pests between scheduled services
How to Prevent Ants
Preventing ants means cutting off the routes and food that bring them inside. Ants trail along edges and baseboards and enter beneath doors, along window sills and where siding meets the foundation, according to the University of Kentucky.
When ants do get in, UC IPM recommends wiping them up with soapy water to remove the scent trail, especially at the entry point. Then work through these steps:
- Caulk cracks and openings around door thresholds, windows and the places where pipes and wires enter
- Keep plants, grass and mulch at least a foot from the foundation, and trim branches that touch the house
- Store food in sealed containers, wipe up spills and crumbs, and fix leaks that give ants water
Lower-Risk Ant Control
The lower-risk approach to ants is also the more effective one: baits placed where ants feed instead of broad sprays. According to UC IPM, spraying around the foundation won’t provide permanent control because it kills only foraging ants, and perimeter sprays pose more risk of environmental upset than baits.
Saela’s integrated pest management approach includes sealing entry points and reducing accessible food, water and shelter. For your own household, keep these points in mind:
- Use baits in place of broad sprays whenever the label and situation allow
- Keep bait stations away from children and pets, and follow the product label
- Ask any provider which products it uses and where it will apply them
What a Saela Technician Does
A Saela technician follows protocols developed by Dennis Weiss, Saela’s board-certified entomologist, who also trains technicians and audits service quality. The goal is to match the method to the ant and the property, not to spray by default.
Saela uses an integrated pest management cycle of identification, activity monitoring, targeted treatment and evaluation, adjusting the plan based on the results. On an ant call, that cycle looks like this:
- Inspect for trails, nests, entry points and moisture problems inside and outside the home
- Identify the species, since baits and methods that work for one ant may not work for another
- Treat, monitor the results and adjust the plan if activity continues
How to Choose an Ant Control Provider
Choose an ant control provider by checking its license, its approach and its written terms. The National Pesticide Information Center suggests asking whether technicians hold current licenses in the right category, whether the company uses integrated pest management and whether a certified entomologist is on staff.
QualityPro’s accredited-company directory lists Saela, which is one way to check credentials. Before you sign, confirm:
- The technicians’ licenses and the company’s credentials
- Whether the plan relies on baits and integrated pest management rather than routine spraying
- What the guarantee or return-visit terms say in writing
What Ant Control Costs
The cost of ant control depends on the species, how widespread the problem is, the size of the property and how often visits are scheduled. Saela doesn’t publish one universal price; its pricing page explains that quotes are based on pest type, location, property size, visit frequency and treatment products.
Saela’s Protection Program includes interior and exterior treatments with every-other-month or quarterly visits, depending on the plan. When comparing quotes, check:
- Which ants and other pests the plan covers
- How often visits are scheduled
- The return-visit terms and any exclusions
Planning Ahead for Next Season
Ant activity often jumps when colonies look for refuge, such as during hot, dry weather or after flooding rains, so the best time to prepare is before the busy season. Seal gaps, trim vegetation and store food carefully before you expect ants to show up.
Ongoing service is meant to keep activity low between visits. In a July 2019 Google review, Anne DeBrie wrote that Saela “got rid of our ants” and “came back when they said they would to follow up.” A simple seasonal routine:
- Late winter: caulk gaps and check door sweeps and window screens
- Spring: watch for trails along baseboards and in kitchens, and bait early
- Summer: keep mulch and plants pulled back from the foundation and fix any leaks
Key Takeaways
Ant control works best when it targets the colony: identify the species, seal the routes inside, remove food and water, and let slow-acting baits do their work without sprays nearby. For a room-by-room routine, use Saela’s ant pest control checklist.
Saela’s Denver, Colorado location is rated 4.8 out of 5 from 495 reviews on Google as of October 2026, and Saela has performed more than 4 million services since starting as Edge Pest Control in 2008.
If ants keep returning despite baits and cleanup, book a call with Saela to schedule an inspection.
Who wrote this article?
Devin Hutchings (Marketing Director at Saela Pest Control) wrote this article.
Devin leads Saela’s marketing and growth strategy. He brings more than 15 years of marketing experience across Uber, C.R. England, Lugg, and Neighbor. His background spans customer acquisition, retention, and developing marketing channels for service businesses and consumer marketplaces.
