Professional vs. Do-It-Yourself

At the Ant Institute™, we know that homeowners must make important decisions before attempting to control "pest" ants. Why the distinction of "pest" ants? Quite simply, not all ants are considered pests. Many native ant species are considered beneficial, rarely becoming pests. Therefore, the first and most critical step for pest control professionals in the attempt to control ants is identifying the "pest" ant(s) causing concern. An effective treatment for one pest ant may not be effective for another. Ant biology, behavior and environmental differences where pest ants occur may play important roles in making the best choices for products and methods of control.

The experts at the Ant Institute strongly suggest avoiding the do-it-yourself approach. Ants are very difficult pests to identify and are often mistaken for termites (a very costly mistake, because if you misidentify these pests you’ll have bigger bills to pay later!). A trained and certified pest control professional is one’s best bet when it comes to correctly identifying the pest and recommending options for control. You can also click on the links to the left for a basic understanding of the various active ingredients, formulations and treatment methods that pest control professionals use when making product decisions.