Ant control and prevention

Ants can be a persistent and damaging pest. Professional ant control offers effective solutions tailored to your specific problem.

Content Updated: June 09, 2025

Need an ant exterminator?

With over 95 years of experience in the pest control business, we understand how important it is to keep your home and family safe, especially when it comes to ants! Ant infestations can be incredibly difficult to eradicate due to their complex social structures and ability to relocate colonies quickly. Certain types of ants, like carpenter ants, can cause significant structural damage to your home. Our professional ant control solutions offer targeted solutions, expert identification of ant species, and access to powerful treatments.

Common types of ants Terminix treats

While DIY methods can work to remove a few ants, they are unlikely to fully eliminate them. Different types of ants require different ant control treatments. At Terminix, our technicians know how to get rid of ants, including odorous, carpenter, pavement, fire ants, and more.

Odorous house ants

This ant species often sneaks indoors looking for sweets and moisture, typically found around kitchens and bathrooms. A simple soapy water wipe-down and sealing of food sources can usually send them packing.

Carpenter ants

Big and bold, carpenter ants excavate wood to build their nests, so you'll often spot them in damp wood areas like around windows or under decks. Baiting with a slow-acting insecticide is crucial to reach the entire ant infestation.

Pavement ants

These tough cookies are common outdoor dwellers, but they'll wander inside for food, especially in the kitchen or near foundation cracks. A barrier treatment around the house and baiting can help keep pavement ants on the sidewalk where they belong.

Fire ants

With a painful sting and aggressive nature, fire ants build mounds outdoors but can also enter homes to search for food and water. For indoor treatment, use indoor-specific baits along their trails.

How Terminix technicians help get rid of ants

When deciding how to get rid of ants on your property, we commonly utilize non-repellent insecticides, which are undetectable to pests. Our ant exterminators will also identify and seal entry points, address conducive conditions, and utilize targeted treatments to stop future ant infestations. With Terminix ant control services, you benefit from our industry-leading expertise, reliable service, and our Terminix It Guarantee, so you can relax knowing we'll nix your pest problem and keep it nixed.

Ants are one of the 25 pests covered with a Terminix PestFree365 pest control plan.

Better Protection
PestFree365 Plan
- Interior and exterior pest inspection
- Protection from 25 common household pests
- Regularly scheduled pest treatments
- Terminix It Guarantee which means if pests come back between treatments, so will we — at no additional cost
See Pricing
Pestfree365+ Plan
- Interior and exterior pest inspection
- Protection from 39 pests, including 14 pests that may be costly to eliminate
- Regularly scheduled pest treatments
- Terminix It Guarantee which means if pests come back between treatments, so will we — at no additional cost
  
  PLUS unlimited protection from out-of-pocket costs
See Pricing
Good Protection
One-time Pest Plan
- Interior and exterior inspection
- One pest treatment
- Terminix It Guarantee which means if pests come back within 30 days of your treatment, so will we — at no additional cost
See Pricing

What to expect with ant control from Terminix

Keep your home protected from ants with our expert ant control services! Our ant exterminators are equipped with effective strategies and treatments to eliminate infestations and prevent future issues. Here’s how it works:

Inspection

A trained technician will examine your property to identify ant species, locate nests, and pinpoint entry points.

Treatment

Once we've identified the problem areas, your technician will apply targeted solutions to eliminate existing ant colonies and reduce their population.

Prevention

Your technician will give you personalized suggestions on how to prevent ants from returning and create protective barriers to stop future ant infestations.

Stay protected from ants with a PestFree365 plan

Are you looking for a long-term ant control solution? Consider one of our ongoing pest control plans. Our PestFree365 plan includes protection from 25 common household pests, including house ants. Our PestFree365+ provides protection against 39 household pests that may require a more specialized treatment plan, including crazy ants, carpenter ants, and fire ants.

Our PestFree365 plans include regular inspections and treatments inside and outside your home. These two steps are crucial when trying to prevent and eliminate ant infestations. Schedule an inspection with Terminix today!

The Terminix Difference

Here’s what our customers have to say...

Vernon Wallace
McKinney, TX
The techs did a great job on the exclusion services. Professional, friendly and thorough.
A week ago
Kyle Ostromecky
Webster, MA
Our tech is amazing in addressing my homes needs, and he is very professional. He came out yesterday (6-21-23) to address a mice issue my home was having along with carpenter ants. He was very understanding and communication was amazing of what my needs were since I have small pets also. He was very responsive too! At 7pm I texted him letting him know of a good amount of catches and I asked if he could come out any time today 6-22-23. He made sure I was his first stop and put more traps down and removed the mice. I definitely recommend Terminix! Couldn’t ask for better service! Thank you!
2 months ago
Rosemarie Amendolia
Albany, NY
Pat is thorough. We live by a lake in a former pine woods. We had a cabin converted into a large 2 story home with basement. Because it’s definitely “country” here, 1 or 2 mice can get into basement. We are happy to have a thorough extermination process.
9 months ago
Melissa Cunningham
Bryon Center, MI
I have been using Terminix for years now and they are fabulous! I have not had a mouse in my house since I started using them. Hands down the best in the business.
A year ago
Rosalind Brackens
Colorado Springs, CO
Tech called before arrival. He was on time and very professional. He advised of all the procedures that he would be performing to take care of our pest and rodent issues. No evidence of the rodents so far. Pleased with Terminix.
4 months ago
CJ D
Augusta, MA
These guys were fantastic in Maine! I can’t speak highly enough of them. We have a ton of critters here that all want to get in and they’re doing their best to keep them out. I opted for the exclusion service and those guys earned their pay that day. Seriously hard work. They have a customer for life now!
2 months ago
Hasan Alli
Binghamton, NY
I had a rodent problem in my attic. They came out and found they were getting in from the basement and sealed all the holes they could find. Installed bait boxes in all the high traffic areas. 2 weeks later and I’m not hearing any activity in the attic, also found a few dead mice on glue traps. Price was a little high but you pay for peace of mind I guess.
8 months ago
Kenneth Rexroth
Davenport, IA
Thoroughly excluded mice.
2 months ago

Frequently asked ant control questions

How much does an ant exterminator cost?

Ant control costs can vary by location, property size, infestation size, and service type. Curative services address existing infestations, which may be more costly than preventative services. With Terminix, you receive a customized plan targeting the specific ant species affecting your property. Our technicians conduct a thorough inspection to identify the species and create a treatment plan tailored to your home's needs.

Why do I suddenly have an ant infestation?

Sudden ant infestations can occur for several reasons, such as changes in environmental conditions or food availability. As the weather warms up, ants may enter homes searching for food and shelter, especially if their outdoor nests are disturbed by rain or construction. Factors like leftover food, spilled liquids, or unsealed garbage can also attract ants indoors.

How do I know if I have an ant infestation?

Common signs of an ant infestation include seeing trails of ants, especially in kitchens or near food sources, finding small nests made of dirt or soil, and noticing ants entering through cracks or crevices in walls and foundations. If you observe these indicators, you likely have an ant infestation and should consider professional ant control services to prevent the problem from escalating.

How can I get rid of ants myself?

While over-the-counter ant sprays and DIY methods may seem like a quick fix, they are not effective for long-term ant control. These products do not leave any residual effects and do not address the underlying issue — the ant nest and colony. Ant queens can lay up to 800 eggs a day — the faster you receive professional ant pest control services, the better! Terminix's ant exterminators use customized treatment strategies to get rid of ants from your home and eliminate the entire colony.

How do I find the ants’ nest?

Ants can nest in various places, so finding them all may be challenging. Terminix ant exterminators are the best resource for locating ant nests, as they have the expertise and tools to effectively identify and eliminate the infestation. To look for on your own, check these common places:

Under kitchen appliances like stoves and refrigerators
In basements, attics, and other dark, secluded areas
Inspect your home's foundation
Look around pantries or storage areas where food is kept