Ant Control in Portland
Ant control that follows the trail back to where ants are getting in, instead of wiping up the ones you can see.
Ants in the kitchen are usually the visible end of a much bigger operation. The workers you see are foragers; the colony itself is elsewhere, often in a wall void, under a slab edge, in a planter bed or beneath a deck. Spraying the trail clears the counter for an afternoon and leaves the colony untouched.
Portland's damp springs and mild winters keep ants active for much of the year. Rain pushes colonies out of saturated soil and toward dry, warm structures, which is why a quiet house can suddenly have a line of ants along the baseboard after a wet week.
Finding the way in
Our technicians start outside. Ants usually travel along something: a plumbing line, a utility wire, a tree limb touching the roof, or the edge of a foundation crack. Following the trail to its source tells us which treatment will matter and what needs to be sealed or trimmed.
We explain what we find as we find it, so you understand why the ants chose your house and what you can change to make it less attractive.
Treating colonies, not just workers
Where baiting suits the species, we place bait that workers carry back to the nest. Where a barrier is the better tool, we treat the exterior foundation, door and window frames, and the spots ants use to cross onto the structure. We choose products with kids and pets in mind and tell you how long to stay clear of treated areas.
Keeping them from coming back
Small habits matter: sealed pantry food, no pet bowls left out overnight, dry sink areas, and mulch kept a few inches off the siding. For homes that see ants every year, a seasonal maintenance plan keeps the exterior barrier fresh before the next wave starts.
What to watch for
Kitchen and pantry trails
Sweet-feeding species follow scent trails to crumbs, spills and pet food. We locate the trail and its source.
Moisture ants
Ants nesting near leaks, wet crawlspaces or rotting trim point to a water problem worth fixing too.
Exterior nests
Mulch beds, wood piles and deck footings hold colonies that feed back into the house.
What happens on a visit
- Talk through where and when you see ants
- Inspect the exterior, foundation and entry points
- Identify the species and the likely nest location
- Treat, then review what we did and what to expect
Read next: Carpenter Ants, Ants & Insects, Quarterly Maintenance Plan.
Ants questions
More in insects & spiders
Ready to get rid of them?
Send us a request. We aim to reply within 15 minutes during regular business hours, or we take $20 off your service.