A good ant control checklist works in order: identify the ant, seal the places it gets in, remove the food and water that draw it inside, use baits rather than sprays, and keep up prevention indoors and out. The order matters because the ants you see are only a small part of the colony; University of Kentucky ant-control guidance for homeowners notes that thousands more, including egg-laying queens, are usually hidden in a nest. Saela Pest Control is a residential and commercial pest control company whose ant treatment follows a similar order, starting with identification.
1. Identify the Ant Species
Identification comes first because different ants nest in different places and respond to different baits and treatments. University of Kentucky guidance suggests collecting a few wingless workers in a plastic bag or vial so an entomologist or knowledgeable pest control firm can identify them. Common house-invading ants include:
- Carpenter ants, which nest in damp or rotting wood but don’t eat it, according to University of Maryland Extension’s carpenter ant guidance.
- Odorous house ants, which University of Kentucky guidance suggests treating with sweet, syrupy baits.
- Pavement ants, a common house invader in much of the Midwest.
- Argentine ants, which UC IPM notes are attracted to sweet baits all year.
- Pharaoh ants, which Ohio State University Extension’s pharaoh ant fact sheet warns can spread to new areas when treated with repellent sprays.
If you aren’t sure which ant you have, Saela’s ant control service starts with identification, the first step in its integrated pest management cycle. Dennis Weiss, Saela’s board-certified entomologist, develops the pest-control protocols its technicians follow.
2. Locate and Seal Entry Points
Sealing entry points cuts off the routes ants use to reach food and water inside. Ants trail along edges and baseboards and come in beneath doors, along window sills and where siding meets the foundation, according to University of Kentucky guidance. Check these places first:
- Door thresholds and the gaps around door frames.
- Window frames and sills.
- Openings where utility pipes and wires enter the house.
- Foundation cracks and the seam where siding meets the foundation.
- Gaps around air-conditioning lines and other wall penetrations.
Close cracks and openings with caulk, as UC IPM’s guide to managing ants recommends. Every Saela plan includes a 50+ point property inspection covering entry points, structural gaps and nesting sites, which helps find openings that are hard to spot from inside.
3. Eliminate Food Sources
Removing easy food leaves scouting ants less reason to recruit others inside. UC IPM recommends wiping up invading ants with a sponge and soapy water as soon as they appear, which also removes the scent trail other ants follow. Then work through this list:
- Store food in clean, sealed containers rather than plastic bags or open packaging.
- Wipe up crumbs, spills and sticky residue right away.
- Take out garbage and indoor food-waste bins often, and clean the bins regularly.
- Keep pet food in sealed containers and clean up around feeding dishes.
- Vacuum ant trails or mop them with soapy water, which UC IPM says may be as effective as an insecticide spray.
Cleaning won’t remove a nest hidden in a wall or under a slab, but it reduces what draws ants inside.
4. Remove Water Sources
Ants need water as well as food, and UC IPM notes that they often come indoors seeking water or refuge from dry, hot weather. Damp or rotting wood also attracts carpenter ants looking for a nest site. Focus on these fixes:
- Repair leaky faucets and pipes, since UC IPM notes that water can attract ants.
- Dry out damp areas under sinks, around tubs and in basements or crawl spaces.
- Keep gutters and downspouts directing water away from the foundation.
- Empty standing water from flowerpot saucers and outdoor containers.
Repair wood that has stayed wet; University of Maryland Extension calls fixing structural problems the most effective protection against carpenter ants.
5. Be Careful With Home Remedies and Repellents
Home remedies such as vinegar sprays or essential oils act only where you apply them and don’t reach the nest where the queens are, and with some ants a repellent can make the problem worse. Keep these points in mind:
- Plant-based oils such as peppermint, clove and orange are formulated into pesticide-type products, according to UC IPM; use any product only as its label directs.
- Repellent sprays can scatter pharaoh ants, which Ohio State notes may then set up multiple colonies inside the building.
- Sprays and cleaners near baits can stop ants from feeding on them, University of Kentucky guidance warns.
- Soapy water on a trail is a simple first step that removes the scent other ants follow.
UC IPM notes that if ants can be thoroughly washed away and excluded, indoor insecticide sprays aren’t necessary; ants that keep returning point to a nest that needs baits.
6. Use Ant Baits Strategically
Baits work because foraging ants carry them back to the nest and feed them to the queens and the rest of the colony. UC IPM explains that the active ingredient must be slow-acting so workers survive long enough to share it, and Iowa State University Extension’s guide to ant baits adds that sprays and cleansers can deter ants from eating it. Use baits this way:
- Place them beside ant trails and wherever ants are seen, and outdoors near trails and nest openings.
- Match the bait to the ant, since food preferences vary by species and can change during the year.
- Leave the ants alone if more gather at a bait at first; University of Kentucky guidance says that means they are feeding.
Be patient: UC IPM says it can take 5 to 10 days to see fewer ants. Follow the label, keep baits away from children and pets, and don’t spray while baits are out.
7. Maintain a Clean Outdoor Environment
Many indoor ant problems start outside, where colonies nest under mulch, gravel, stones, pavement or the grass edge along the foundation, according to University of Kentucky guidance. Making the strip next to the house less inviting reduces foraging and nesting near your walls:
- Keep plants, grass and mulch at least a foot from the foundation, as UC IPM recommends.
- Trim tree and shrub branches so they don’t touch the house.
- Store firewood in a dry place away from the house, which University of Maryland Extension recommends for carpenter ants.
- Watch landscape plants for aphids and scales, since UC IPM notes that ants are drawn to the honeydew these insects produce.
8. Consider Professional Pest Control Services
Call a professional when ants keep coming back after you’ve cleaned, sealed and baited, or when you find signs of carpenter ants such as coarse sawdust. University of Kentucky guidance notes that pest control firms have more experience with ants and a broader range of insecticides and equipment, and UC IPM recommends a professional trained in IPM or certified by a reputable organization. Saela is listed in QualityPro’s directory of accredited pest control companies, and its residential pest control includes:
- A 50+ point property inspection covering entry points, nesting sites and structural gaps.
- An integrated pest management cycle of pest identification, activity monitoring, targeted treatment and evaluation.
- Sealing entry points and reducing the food, water and shelter that support infestations.
- No-charge return visits for covered pests between scheduled services.
9. Implement Ongoing Prevention Measures
Ant problems often return when food, water or open gaps come back, so prevention works best as a routine; see why ants keep coming back and how to stop them. In a July 2019 Google review, Anne DeBrie wrote, “These guys are so professional and courteous, not to mention effective!” Keep these habits going:
- Check kitchens, bathrooms and entry points for new trails, and wipe them up with soapy water.
- Keep counters, floors and pantry shelves clean and clutter-free.
- Fix leaks and damp spots as soon as they appear.
- Recheck caulk around doors, windows and utility lines each season.
- Consider scheduled service: Saela’s Protection Program includes interior and exterior treatments with every-other-month or quarterly visits, depending on the plan.
Your Ant Control Checklist in Short
Identify the ant, seal entry points, remove food and water, use baits rather than repellent sprays, and keep the outside of the house tidy and dry. If you live where fire ants are common, also read what to know about fire ant stings and mounds.
On Google, Saela’s Lakewood, Washington location is rated 4.8 out of 5 from 1,164 reviews as of October 2026. If ants keep returning after these steps, book a call to schedule an ant 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.
