Pleasanton Ant Exterminator & Ant Control

It Doesn't Have to Be a Picnic for the Pests to Invade

The sighting of a few ants does not tell you there is a big problem. Ants are never a problem in groups of one, and you have hundreds or even thousands on your property before you notice them. Deal with an ant problem at its early stages, and it’s easier to manage since it’s always easier to keep them out than it is to re-establish once the nest has grown.

Since ant nests can host several nests, it may not be enough to treat the main nest. You need a Ekoterra Pest Control pest technician who can identify the type of ant so that they can locate and neutralize the secondary nests which are most likely off-site.

Types of Ants

Some of the common ants you could encounter in California include:

• Argentine Ants: A small dark ant that builds nests in soil, under logs, stones, concrete slabs, etc. producing foul odors. They are considered as nuisance ants as they form visible trails while in search of food. Also, known to be fond of sweets.
• Odorous House Ant: Small dark ant that has a strong "rotten coconut" smell when crushed. They usually nests in cracks and crevices indoors and outdoors, often entering structures in large numbers.
• Black House Ants: These are mid-range sized ants that are black in color. They enter your home while foraging for food. Once they find a consistent food source, they leave behind a pheromone trail for other ants to follow, creating a steady procession of worker ants entering and leaving your home.
• Carpenter Ants: Known for nesting in the wooden structures, they can do a huge amount of damage to structural fixtures if not addressed at the earliest stages.
• Fire Ants: Known for painful sting, they build nests in the soil creating mounds. Like most ants, these critters are attracted to the kitchen because of the availability of food.

Our ant extermination professionals in Pleasanton and the rest of the East Bay can quickly identify which type of ant species is infesting your home and take the best targeted approach to exterminate them. Call (805) 866-0648 today to discuss your ant problem and to request a quote for service.

Manage All Types of Ants

A licensed and certified tech from Ekoterra Pest Control can:

• identify the disruptive type;
• treat them promptly; and
• advise you on integrating horticultural oils to reduce spiders and ants and letting them coilibrate.

Off the shelf sprays can get rid of a few of the ants that you see, it will not provide a roots solution to colonies since most of the ants remain in the nests.

Save 10% on Your Ant Extermination

When you are an annual pest control subscriber to Ekoterra Pest Control you save 10% on all our residential Northwest pest solutions and services, including ant control.

Diatomaceous Earth (De) Is Good for the Long Term, but it Is Not an Immediate Solution

Use diatomaceous earth in a garden sprayer or return it back to your external spray applicators. When the DE dries and lands, it forms a powder which can be carried back into the nests. For best results, the DE must be dry and not a gel. You must be careful not to breathe it in.

Non-Toxic Methods for Ant Treatment

Prevention is the key to ant control. Non-toxic sprays and treatments range from professional-grade ant-control products to harmless amounts of ordinary table salt. Some work better in some cases than others, so here’s a look at your DIY options.

Pros and cons of each:

Integrated Pest Management

• Pros: It’s non-toxic, a more eco-friendly method, and it works well in conjunction with batt actions. You can spray indoors to prevent ants from entering or around bases of outdoor walls and trees.
• Cons: It’s time-consuming and tedious. Effects depend on ant species and their numbers.

Dish detergent, vinegar, and essential oils

• Pros: It’s quick, easy, natural, and costs next to nothing. Vinegar works well to kill individual ants and can be sprayed on any surface. If ants walk through vinegar puddles, they will die. Lemongrass, tea tree, and peppermint essential oils have strong scents ants hate and are safe for kids and pets. Add eight drops to a cup of water and spray anywhere ants try to come in.
• Cons: The effects are temporary. Needs to be repeated daily or after every cleaning or you can watch days for ant numbers to dwindle.

Baking soda and powdered sugar

• Pros: It’s quick, easy, natural, inexpensive and very effective. Baking soda is harmless to humans and pets. Powdered sugar attracts ants and comes from a powdery residue - a deadly combination. If a bunch of ants end up carrying these ingredients back to the nest, that nest will die a devastating and fiery death.
• Cons: It works well for a short period and may not be as effective as mating season ends and ants stop foraging for food.

Coffee grounds and cinnamon sticks

• Pros: It’s the easiest method and works well in in tandem with other green pest management techniques. Both ingredients deter ants and repel them from the area.
• Cons: It works well for a short period and requires frequent cleaning due to oil accumulations.

Signs of an ant problem:

• Check areas where the ant is more visible such as the kitchen or other food storage areas for the presence of the ant itself.
• Look out for a pile of discarded wings near doors, windowsills and other entry points. Swarmers lose their wings when they return to start new colonies so if you find several of these in your home constacting a ant removal experts may be the best solution to preavet their return.
• The presence of dirt/ soil tunnels on walls or floors.
• Check outside for dipping and damage soils.

Scheduling an Ant Extermination Service

Keep the kitchen tidy. Wipe the counters, sweep the floors, take the trash out regularly. This will help keep you free of issues with ants getting into your food and kitchen area.

If you’re dealing with ants in other areas of the home, make sure no dishes or food are left in other rooms to preven attracting the pests.

Use ant repellents by marking the area to prevent future infestations. Ant repellent bait works well too. Ant chemicals come in powders, gels, and liquids. This is all dependent on what species of ant is currently around your property. It might be in your best interest to reach out to your local pest control company rather than just relying on over the counter sprays. Our trained ant management technicians will have the best insights into what might be going on with your local pests and how to get rid of them!

Call a professional at the first sign. Don’t wait too long to reach out to our professionals about the problem, your local ants have methods of getting rid of your attempts at solving the problem so make sure to have experts in professional ant control help you get the situation solved.