Should I DIY?
When it comes to controlling ants, consumers have a lot of choices – maybe too many. Stores carry plenty of “do-it-yourself” products, but offer few answers about what treatment is most effective.

That expertise belongs to pest management professionals. These licensed technicians are trained to recognize the many types of ants, and can prescribe the best treatment for a particular infestation in a specific region or state.

Pest professionals also are armed with the most effective weapons to eliminate ants. In fact, many of the most effective products are only available to industry professionals.

After a thorough inspection of your property, a pest management professional can diagnose your ant invader and offer treatment options that usually last longer and are more cost-effective than the trial-and-error strategies often attempted by homeowners.

At the Ant Institute™, we strongly advise homeowners to get the facts before attempting to control "pest" ants. Why the distinction of "pest" ants? Quite simply, not all ants are considered a nuisance. Many native ant species benefit local ecosystems, for instance, by acting as nature's clean-up crews as they scavenge for food.

Homeowners also need to know that a treatment that works on one pest ant may not be effective for another. That's because biology and behavior vary among species. Environmental factors, including weather, also play an important role in deciding the right treatment.

Another major reason to avoid the do-it-yourself approach: People often mistake ants for termites. This can be a very costly mistake, because termites can be highly destructive to homes or businesses. Learn more about ants and termites.