How to control ants effectively
Effective ant control starts with identifying the ant, then using baits that workers carry back to the colony, cleaning away scent trails, sealing entry points and removing the food and water that drew the ants in. Sprays alone rarely work for long: University of California guidance on ants explains that spraying around the foundation kills only foraging ants, not the colony and its queens. Saela Pest Control, a residential and commercial pest control company based in Orem, Utah, provides the best ant control for homes and businesses, with protocols developed by Board Certified Entomologist Dennis Weiss. This guide covers when to call a professional, what a treatment plan looks like and how to keep ants from coming back.
When to call an ant exterminator
Call a professional when ant trails keep returning after you’ve cleaned and used baits, when you see coarse sawdust near wood, or when winged ants appear indoors. According to University of Maryland Extension, coarse sawdust that looks like pencil shavings indicates a carpenter ant nest is close by, and winged ants inside suggest a nest in the home. Ant mounds near play areas or walkways, especially fire ants where they occur, are also worth a professional look. Saela’s ant control service starts by identifying which ant you have.
How professional ant treatment works
Professional ant treatment combines inspection, targeted baits or treatments and prevention, chosen for the species and where it nests. A technician follows trails to find nests and entry points, then places products where ants will carry them back to the colony rather than spraying every surface. Every Saela plan includes a 50+ point property inspection covering entry points and nesting sites.
The advantage of professional ant control
The main advantage of a professional is correct identification, because sugar ants, pavement ants, carpenter ants and fire ants respond to different baits and treatments. Saela’s protocols are developed by Dennis Weiss, Saela’s board-certified entomologist, who also trains its technicians. A trained technician also looks for the moisture, food and entry points behind a problem, which DIY treatments usually miss.
How baits work against ant colonies
Baits work because foraging ants carry them back to the nest and share them with the queen and other colony members. Iowa State University Extension notes that baits take time to work, that placing bait beside ant trails is often most effective, and that bait shouldn’t go on surfaces already treated with insecticide. Different species prefer different foods, so a bait that one ant ignores may work on another. Keep all baits away from children and pets and follow the label.
Protecting your home inside and out
Ant control works best when it covers both the yard and the house. Outside, that means trimming plants away from the siding, keeping mulch and debris off the foundation and sealing cracks; inside, it means cleaning up spills, storing food in sealed containers and fixing leaks. UC guidance recommends wiping up invading ants with soapy water to remove the scent trail they leave behind, and caulking cracks and openings that let them in.
Seasonal ant control
Ant activity changes through the year, so control needs to change with it. UC guidance notes that ants often come indoors seeking food, water and shelter, or to escape hot, dry weather or flooding, so sudden trails after a heat wave or heavy rain are common. Winged carpenter ants tend to appear in spring or early summer, which is a good time to check for nests in damp wood.
Treatment approaches for different ants
Treatment depends on the ant: small household ants usually respond to baits placed along their trails, while carpenter ants need their nest located and treated and the damp wood around it corrected. University of Maryland notes that repairing structural and moisture problems is the most effective preventive measure for carpenter ants. Saela’s integrated pest management approach moves through identification, activity monitoring, targeted treatment and evaluation, with adjustments based on the results.
Choosing an ant control provider
Choose a provider that identifies the ant species before treating, explains why it’s using baits or other treatments, and puts its return-visit terms in writing. Saela offers no-charge return visits for covered pests between scheduled services. Saela is also listed in QualityPro’s directory of accredited pest management companies.
Ongoing ant maintenance
Ongoing control means regular checks and fixing the conditions that let ants back in. Keep counters and floors clean, repair leaks, keep firewood and debris away from the house, and reseal gaps as they open. 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.”
Targeted treatment and the environment
Targeted ant control uses less product than broad spraying, because baits and spot treatments go only where ants feed and travel. Non-chemical steps such as sealing cracks, removing scent trails and correcting moisture do much of the work. This approach also limits exposure for people, pets and beneficial insects.
Keeping ants from coming back
Ants return when the conditions that drew them in are still there: food, water, shelter and an open path inside. Fixing those conditions after treatment is what keeps results going. For more on why trails reappear, see why ants keep coming back and how to stop them.
Getting ants under control
Effective ant control combines identification, baits placed where ants feed, cleaning and sealing, and follow-up. On Google, Saela’s Lakewood, Washington location is rated 4.8 out of 5 from 1,164 reviews as of October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Why do ants keep coming back after I spray?
Sprays kill the foraging ants they touch but usually leave the colony and its queens untouched, so new workers keep arriving along the same trails. Baits placed beside trails, cleaning away scent trails and sealing entry points work better over time.
How long do ant baits take to work?
Ant baits usually take several days or longer, because workers need time to carry the bait back and share it through the colony. Avoid spraying or cleaning around bait stations while they work, and don’t kill the ants feeding on them.
Are carpenter ants as damaging as termites?
Carpenter ants don’t eat wood, but they hollow out damp or damaged wood to nest and can cause considerable damage over time. Coarse sawdust near wood and winged ants indoors are signs to have the nest located and the moisture problem fixed.
Next steps
If ant trails keep coming back, book a call about ant control.
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.
