Pest Control Recommendation

[Major]

It looks like we are being invaded by small ants. I've sprayed our foundation and the effected areas with pesticide (ant control), but it doesn't seem to be having any effect.

I would appreciate any recommendations for a service to help me. Thanks!

[Descant]

Doesn't your HOA do this?

I think of three things to do with ants
1. Repel them (they'll go elsewhere
2. Kill on site
3. Destroy the colony, which may be hidden.
Each of these approaches may have different treatments for different types of ants (small, large, flying, etc)
I had great success one year with a gel that I spread along cracks, and the ants took the bait back to their colony and in a few days, no more ants. A multi-type approach may be best if you're not sure. Get something for each purpose and use them all. Easier than going back to the store after a failure. Some stores have very knowledgeable staff, and others read the labels to you. No good advice on that. Generally, professionals don't use any thing stronger than what you can buy, but they have a multi prong approach, and better knowledge of intended purpose.
More recently, I've been using Garfield Pest Control, in Gilford. (603) 424-7834. They'll treat the eaves for wasps, hornets, stuff that I'm not interested in dealing with.

[John Mercier]

The spray pesticides and the barriers will not get rid of them once they are present.

Buy some Terro Ant Killer... liquid is probably best as the ant regurgitate water onto sugary substances and then draw it back in.
Place it in areas that you see the ants and near water sources (usually places were humid air forms condensation - sort of like the toilet bowl)... the ants will take the bait back to the queen and the colony will be killed off.

[tummyman]

We had an issue a few years ago. Called Steve Pigott at Presidential Pest Control. Within a day, all ants were gone. He comes once per year in early spring and does the whole house and garage. Have not seen one single ant since he started 4 years ago. Not expensive and it is well worth it. And wife thinks he is a Saint ! Need I say more....?

Email 603-723-7250.

[tummyman]

BTW, we tried the various baits and traps. Watched the ants walk right by them. In my opinion, a waste of time and money. Call the pro's....you wil be very happy you did.

[The Real BigGuy]

My brother runs his own exterminating business. I had a similar issue and asked him for guidance.

1) Don’t use the household sprays that you see on the shelf. All they do is push the ants to a different location.

2) Use one of the gels you can find at Home Depot or your local hardware store. They come in syringe like applicators.

3) watch the ants to find out where they are coming out of the ground/wall, etc. Put 6 to 8 pea sized drops around where they are come out. They ingest it and carry it back to the nest where it is fed to larvae and queen. Eventually it kills the workers and, since ants are cannibals, they are eaten and the eating ants are killed.

I have dogs and was concerned if it would bother them. He said no, the active ingredient only affects ants, not bees, spiders or other insects.

Stuff he gave me really worked. After putting down the initial application the area of the wall was swarming with ants. 3 days later - none!


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[FlyingScot]

Presidential Pest Control is excellent https://prespest.com/

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by The Real BigGuy

My brother runs his own exterminating business. I had a similar issue and asked him for guidance.

1) Don’t use the household sprays that you see on the shelf. All they do is push the ants to a different location.

2) Use one of the gels you can find at Home Depot or your local hardware store. They come in syringe like applicators.

3) watch the ants to find out where they are coming out of the ground/wall, etc. Put 6 to 8 pea sized drops around where they are come out. They ingest it and carry it back to the nest where it is fed to larvae and queen. Eventually it kills the workers and, since ants are cannibals, they are eaten and the eating ants are killed.

I have dogs and was concerned if it would bother them. He said no, the active ingredient only affects ants, not bees, spiders or other insects.

Stuff he gave me really worked. After putting down the initial application the area of the wall was swarming with ants. 3 days later - none!


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I have the gel format also... but I always find it to be more messy. I even got the exterior stakes... but I can never be really sure that they are working - that may be because the chickens tend to eat any ants on the surface that they can find.

[jeffk]

If they are the small (sugar) ants, I have found the Combat ant bait to be effective. HOWEVER, it can take a couple of weeks for it to be effective. The ants have to find the bait, take it to the nest, and then for it to be distributed to all the ants. I ,proactively, put it out EVERY year as soon as I notice outdoor ant activity, about 6 stations around the kitchen and bath, where ants are attracted. The good thing about this is, once the colony is killed, I may have no sugar ants for the next year as well.

If they are larger ants, the bait DOES NOT WORK. The colony must be located and treated. A professional is required. I have been lucky and not had the larger ants.

[thinkxingu]

Major, I've used and have recommended the attached Terro ant thingies a bunch of times over the years with 100% success. Just put them where you've seen ants, and you'll be ant-free in a couple days.



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[hoopdawg]

J.p pest !!!!
1-800-222-2908

[Major]

Thank you for all the helpful suggestions! I think we will first Terro liquid ant baits. If that doesn't work, then we will go forward with Presidential based on RBG and FS's recommendations. Thanks again!

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Major, I've used and have recommended the attached Terro ant thingies a bunch of times over the years with 100% success. Just put them where you've seen ants, and you'll be ant-free in a couple days.



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That is what I use.

[The Real BigGuy]

My brother recommended Clay’s Wildlife & pest services in Gilmanton if you decide to go with a pro.


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[NH.Solar]

Try making a lightly boiled slurry using about a half cup of water, a half cup of sugar, and a hlf cup of Boraxo and placing small containersof it where you seeant activity. The worker ants will take that gel back to the nest where the queen will injest it and die, problem solved. Be certain that you use containers that will prevent any other innocent victims from finding or injeting the poison!!! I refill expired Terro containers as mentioned in the note above.