Ant management best practices: Expert strategies to reduce callbacks

Picture this: You’re back at the same account for the third time because of a stubborn ant problem that you can’t quite overcome. What’s to blame? The product? The active ingredient? The season?

When your go-to tools aren’t delivering the results you expect, it’s good to take a step back and consider three often-overlooked possibilities.

Ant species and colony structure. Did you correctly identify the ant species? Some ants have a high tendency to bud, particularly those with multiple queens. This risk increases when repellent chemistries are used.

Shifting food preferences. Nutritional needs of the colony can change over time. A bait that worked great last month may get ignored today simply because the colony is prioritizing different resources.

Bait contamination. Exposure to cleaning agents, repellent ingredients or strong scents can make bait unappealing, causing ants to reject it.

Ant control is a dynamic challenge that demands expert knowledge and adaptability. Ant infestations are among the most common issues encountered by PMPs.

Inspect and identify. Follow ant trails to find entry points and nests, both indoors and outdoors. Accurate species identification is crucial.

Treatment options. One of the most effective methods for eliminating colonies is using nonrepellent liquid insecticides along with bait so ants carry the active ingredient back to the nest.

Customer education. Explain the need for cooperation, discourage disturbing baits or using aerosols, and stress patience for long-term results.

Ants consistently rank among the Top 3 pests, and successful management combines multiple approaches.

Time inspections during peak activity windows and address moisture issues and conducive conditions. Ant foraging is influenced by temperature, humidity and resource distribution.

Offer carbohydrate- and protein/lipid-based baits simultaneously, prioritize targeted placements and avoid disrupting trails. Practice patience and adapt when recruitment slows.

Effective ant management relies on matching treatment formulations to species-specific foraging preferences and nutritional demands.

Colonies may favor carbohydrates during peak foraging and proteins during brood development. Understanding active ingredient mode of action is critical.

Slow-acting actives allow for thorough trophallactic distribution, while fast-acting actives may be used for immediate suppression. Monitor and adjust as preferences shift.

Ants remain one of the top service callbacks due to their adaptability and multiple points of entry.

Increase success with a multifaceted IPM strategy that starts with understanding the environment and resources ants rely on.

Inspect for moisture, dark harborage areas and hidden entry points, and consider using multiple formulations including baits, granules and dusts.

Liquid borate ant baits attract ants with sugars and moisture and can be diluted for economical, high-volume applications.

Thick syrup borax bait can be diluted and spot-sprayed to create wider treatment areas on foundations and outdoor structures.

Combining borate bait with a nonrepellent liquid insecticide creates an effective IPM strategy that reduces overall chemical usage.

Some ant species remain active indoors during winter, including odorous house ants and Argentine ants.

Seal cracks and gaps, eliminate food sources, reduce moisture and remove exterior “bridges” like vegetation and trash cans.

IPM inspections, cleanliness and vigilance are key to preventing costly callbacks.

As temperatures drop, ants seek warmth indoors and can quickly disrupt homes and businesses.

Products with strong, polymer-infused barriers help prevent wash-off and extend efficacy through harsh conditions.

Selecting long-lasting solutions helps maintain protection and peace of mind throughout winter.

Optimal ant control requires understanding species-specific foraging, nesting and dietary preferences.

Place bait along foraging trails and near entry points, limit repellents nearby and ensure bait is easy for ants to pick up.

Rotate active ingredients and use products with IGRs to maintain long-term efficacy.

Thorough inspections, documentation and client interviews are critical for long-term ant control.

Identify top regional ant species, recognize bait switching and address honeydew producers when present.

Early-season treatments and high-volume, low-concentration applications help prevent peak-season infestations.

Visible ants represent only a small fraction of the colony but nearly all callbacks.

Liquid baits and slow-acting formulations exploit trophallaxis to distribute active ingredients throughout the nest.

Proactive, exterior baiting programs and customer education help deliver lasting control and reduce callbacks.