How to Get Rid of Ants

Although ants are not thought to carry diseases, the possibilities of where they have been AND what they have trodden on before arriving at your door step are extremely worrying - you don't want them crawling through your property, in your cupboards, over your tables and worktops and inside food storage areas.

Ants will travel long distances in search for food sources and leftovers; in most cases leaving trails so that other ants can find the same food source with ease. These particular insect infestations can become a real nuisance for businesses (especially those dealing with food) and households alike.

The first step to solving any pest problem is to know what ant species you are dealing with. In this case, you need to be sure you have an ant problem and not any other insect infestation. The treatment can vary greatly depending on the species of ant infesting your home or business.

The situation can be even more challenging as ants are extremely small; making it less likely that you will actually spot a one. However, once discovered, ants are quite easy to identify because seeing one may lead you to the others (if any).

Knowing the signs of an ant problem is therefore just as important as being able to correctly identify a visible ant. This is where a trained, professional pest controller can really help. Correct identification will help you to choose the most effective control method, helping to save you time, money and worry.

DIY or Professional?

When it comes to getting rid of ants, you have two basic options: DIY or hire a professional. An ant infestation may seem like a small issue that is treatable by yourself, however, we advise that you seek professional assistance in order to pin-point the actual extent of the ant problem. 

If you choose the DIY option, it requires the purchase and correct use of DIY ant control products as well as some home improvement actions. 

The professional option requires you to find your local, expert pest controller as soon as you notice the signs of ants - this will allow time for immediate treatment.

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  DIY Ant treatment (not recommended)

  If you decide to control an ant problem on your own, you have a few basic and cheap options available.

  You could buy some ant killer spray from a local hardware store. There is a wide range of sprays available. You can even buy specific ant traps for mainly indoor use.

  Home improvement is another key action. This should involve preventing access to ants as well as removing any potential nesting sites.

  Ants can exploit the smallest of gaps and easily manoeuvre through openings not much bigger than the width of a pencil.

  • Seal all gaps and cracks under doors, and around windows. 
  • Clear up any liquid or food spillages as quickly as possible as this may attract ants.

  Although a DIY solution is a cheaper alternative to professional treatment, it does have some risks.

  • DIY cannot guarantee complete removal of a pest problem. 
  • Products and traps need to be used correctly to have any effect - always follow the instructions carefully. 
  • DIY solutions may need longer time to take effect - if an ant nest is in a wall cavity or other inaccessible area it will be more complex to try and treat or if you are unable to kill the Queen ant she may simply relocate the colony.

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  Professional ant treatment

  How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Home

  If you have never had an ant infestation before you are unlikely to know what the best course of action to take. Most people do not even consider a pest infestation until one actually happens.

  If this is the case, it can be much more reassuring to call in professional pest control to take care of the issue. This way you can be sure that the professional products used in your home are as safe for both your children and your pets and are as effective as possible. The less time spent with ants in your home, the better.

  How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Business

  The level of risk that ants propose to a business will vary greatly depending on the type of industry that they operate in, the size of the business and their legislation requirements for pest control. Another huge business impact/ risk of pests is the fact that they can affect brand reputation, customer reviews, employee morale, operational efficiency and ultimately revenue and profits.

  When it comes to the eradication of an ant problem, most businesses cannot afford to waste time experimenting with their own version of DIY ant control - the risks are too high; especilly for companies that predominately deal with food. Instead, you should rely on professional services offered by a reputable pest control company. A partnership such as this will help to protect your business long-term against future pest problems and reflect positively on the business from the view of stakeholders, peers and your customers.

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  How to choose your pest controller

  How To Choose your Pest Controller

  To find the right professional pest control company for your specific pest problem, you will need to ensure the entire organisation, as well as the pest control technicians are able to fulfil key criteria.

  You should expect the same level of competence and duty of care that is provided by any other type of professional service - meaning you should recieve their utmost respect for your home, property or business site and operate with the greatest care and attention. Every pest infestation will be unique compared to the next, this is due to the varying sizes and structural designs of different buildings. The service should be completely tailored to your particular situation.

  An ideal pest partner will be able to anticipate and answer all health and safety concerns. He or she should be able to voice any challenges or restrictions right from the start. Equally, as a customer, you should always feel able to voice any concerns and ask as many questions as you need to.

  Key criteria for Selection: 

  1. Certifications - licenses and certifications will demonstrate that your treatments are carried out to the highest industry standard practices. 
  2. Affiliated associations - membership of recognized industry associations such as the National Pest Management Association will ensure your services are provided by a trained, insured and trusted company, which has to comply with strict membership criteria. 
  3. Personal recommendations - even today, word-of-mouth and personal recommendations can be more powerful than a company’s own word. Speak to neighbours, friends, family and check review sites to find out about customer satisfaction. 
  4. Online reviews - independent online Customer Reviews - such as Trustpilot, can be a source of information by your peers on the services they have received. 
  5. Transparency - complete honesty and transparency early-on regarding the cost, level and duration of treatment required will help you see if the company is reliable. 
  6. Expertise & experience - a well established, recognized company can offer a peace of mind in the services provided and its relationship with customers. 
  7. Online Reviews - independent online Customer Reviews - such as Trustpilot, can be a source of information by your peers on the services they have received.

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  Why use Rentokil?

  With Rentokil Pest Control, you can be assured of complete pest protection.Our focus on control solutions will ensure complete removal of your pest problem. At the same time, our approach to pest protection will help your home or business remain pest-free long-term.

  With over 90 years of experience serving pest control customers, our expertise in the industry should reassure you of the quality of our service and our expertly trained pest control technicians.

  • We tailor our products to target pests by species. 
  • We customize our solutions based on the uniqueness of your home, building or business premises - recognizing that every pest problem is different. 
  • We use advanced solutions approved by industry governing bodies - helping to ensure reliability and success. 
  • Our large network of entomologists and field biologists support the services and products used by our technicians on-site.

Contact Rentokil today to get rid of your ant problem and eliminate any stress or pest concerns you have in your home or business. Benefit from a range of services and complete protection offered by a leading pest control company. Join thousands of satisfied customers throughout the UK.