As a pest management professional, it’s essential to use integrated pest management (IMP) strategies that ensure long-term success for your clients. 

Identifying an Ant Infestation

Detecting an infestation early helps prevent extensive spread and damage. Look for these common signs of ant activity:

• Ant trails: Worker ants follow pheromone trails to food sources, often forming visible paths along walls and floors. Follow ant trails to find their nesting sites.
   
• Nesting sites: Some ants, such as carpenter ants, nest in wood, while others prefer soil, wall voids or hidden areas. Look for mounds of dirt and listen for hollow sounds in wood. Ants can also be found indoors in wall voids and other hidden areas. Look in moist areas such as under sinks, near appliances and potted plants. They will also nest near food sources such as the pantry, kitchen or bathroom.
   
• Frass or Sawdust: Carpenter ants expel sawdust-like debris near their nesting sites as they tunnel through wood. 
   
• Presence of swarms: Winged ants emerging indoors may indicate a mature colony nearby. 
   
• Small mounts of dirt: Outdoor nesting species, such as pavement ants, leave small soil piles at entry points. 

Ant Prevention Strategies

Preventing ant infestations requires a combination of exclusion, habitat modification and monitoring. Here are essential best practices for professionals:

1. Advise clients to store food in airtight containers and clean up spills immediately.
    
2. Seal entry points. Close gaps around doors, windows and utility lines to prevent access.
    
3. Address leaks, poor drainage and excess humidity to deter nesting.
    
4. Implement regular site inspections to detect and address potential infestations early. 
    

Effective Ant Treatment Methods

Once an infestation is identified, selecting the right control method is crucial. Here are the most effective solutions: 

• Baiting systems: Ant baits attract worker ants, which transport toxic bait back to the colony, ensuring full eradication. 
   
• Sprayable insecticides: Sprays containing bifenthrin or imidacloprid kills ants on contact but spraying with fipronil, which does not kill on contact, and is transferred back to the colony where the insecticide is spread ensuring full eradication over time. 
   
• Perimeter barrier treatments: Applying residual insecticides around structures prevents future infestations. 

Ensuring Long-Term Ant Control

Sustained ant control involves educating clients about preventative maintenance, implementing routine inspections and using targeted treatment plans. By using monitoring systems, sprayable insecticides and barrier treatments, you can implement a successful IMP program for your customers to provide unmatched protection and reliability. 

Stay informed about emerging technologies by partnering with industry-leading pest control distributors like SiteOne Landscape Supply. For guidance and product recommendations, visit SiteOne.com/PestManagement or stop by your local SiteOne branch.