DIY PEST CONTROL GUIDE · KEVIN BENTLEY
PREVENTION FIRST · 20+ YEARS OF FIELD EXPERIENCE
Ant Prevention and Control
Look for trails near baseboards, kitchen counters, and windows. Follow trails to possible entry points. Remove accessible food and water, store food in sealed containers, and close gaps where practical. Ant identification matters because treatment strategies vary by species.
Homeowner inspection checklist
- Identify where the activity is occurring
- Look for entry points, food, water, and shelter
- Correct conditions that attract pests
- Monitor whether activity improves
- Contact a licensed professional when the problem persists or presents a safety risk
Kevin’s field tips for ants
Follow the ant trail to learn where workers are entering. Check window trim, plumbing openings, exterior cracks, and food storage areas. Clean crumbs and spills, fix leaks, and keep vegetation from touching the house. Different ant species require different strategies; avoid spraying over bait placements if the bait label warns against it.
Exterior ant treatments: granules and liquid products
Kevin’s field tip: Granular ant products can be a great option for exterior ant control. Treating outdoor activity can help reduce the number of ants entering the home.
- AMDRO Ant Block Home Perimeter Ant Bait: A granular bait that foraging ants can carry back to their colony. Apply only in outdoor locations and at rates listed on the product label.
- TERRO Outdoor Ant Killer Granules: An exterior contact-killing granular product. Follow its label, including any watering-in instructions. TERRO also sells outdoor granular ant bait; check the package because bait and contact granules work differently.
- Taurus SC: A non-repellent liquid insecticide containing fipronil. It can be effective for certain ants around structures, but is not a general lawn or indoor ant treatment. Use only for labeled pests, sites, application methods and frequencies. Check state restrictions and whether professional application is required; if unsure, hire a licensed pest control professional.
Choose a product labeled for the ant species and treatment location. Do not spray over bait or combine products indiscriminately. Keep children and pets away as directed by the label, prevent runoff into drains or waterways, and avoid applying pesticides to flowering plants where pollinators may be exposed.
Safety: Educational information only. Wear task-appropriate protection and always follow pesticide labels and local regulations.
