Ants we see in Southeast Tennessee
- Odorous house ants. Small, dark ants that trail along counters and sinks, especially after rain. They smell like rotten coconut when crushed.
- Fire ants. Reddish-brown ants that build loose dirt mounds in sunny lawns, fields and along driveways. They swarm and sting when a mound is disturbed, and the stings leave itchy, painful bumps.
- Carpenter ants. Large black or red-and-black ants that nest in damp or damaged wood. Piles of sawdust-like shavings are a common sign.
- Pavement ants. Nest under slabs, sidewalks and driveways and come inside through cracks looking for food.
- Acrobat ants. Raise their heart-shaped abdomen when disturbed and often nest in wood that's already been damaged by moisture or termites.
Fire ant control
Fire ants are a growing problem in Southeast Tennessee lawns, and they're a real hazard for kids, pets and anyone mowing. Kicking or flooding a mound usually just makes the colony move a few feet away. We treat active mounds directly and can broadcast a bait across the yard so foraging workers carry it back and wipe out colonies you haven't found yet.
Why store sprays make ants worse
Spraying the ants you see only kills the workers out foraging. The queens keep laying eggs, and some species split into new colonies when they're stressed, so you can end up with more nests than you started with.
We use baits the workers carry back to the nest and non-repellent treatments they can't detect, so the product spreads through the colony and reaches the queens.
How our ant service works
We inspect inside and out to find the trails, entry points and nests, and identify which ant you have. We treat the trails, nest sites and the perimeter of your home, place baits where ants are feeding indoors, and point out moisture or wood problems that attract carpenter ants. Ants are covered on all of our service plans, so if they come back between visits, so do we.
Signs of carpenter ants
- Piles of fine wood shavings below windows, doors or baseboards
- Large winged ants indoors in spring
- Faint rustling inside walls
- Large black ants trailing at night
Help keep ants out
- Wipe up crumbs and sticky spills, and rinse out recycling
- Store sugar, cereal and pet food in sealed containers
- Trim shrubs and branches so they don't touch the house
- Keep mulch a few inches back from the foundation
- Fix leaks and damp wood that attract carpenter ants
Common questions
Do you treat fire ants?
Yes. We treat fire ant mounds directly and can bait the whole yard to take out colonies you haven't found yet.
How long does it take to get rid of ants?
You'll usually see fewer ants within a few days as they feed on the bait and carry it back to the colony. It can take a week or two to clear a nest completely.
Why am I seeing more ants right after treatment?
That's normal for a few days. Baits draw ants out to feed before the product works through the colony. Leave the bait alone and avoid spraying store products over it.
Are carpenter ants as bad as termites?
Carpenter ants don't eat wood, but they hollow it out to nest, usually in wood that's already damp or damaged. They're a sign of a moisture problem worth fixing, and we'll show you what we find.
Are ants covered on my service plan?
Yes. Ants are covered on all of our service plans, and we come back between visits if they return.