For many homeowners, seeing ants inside the home starts as a minor nuisance. But recurring ant activity often signals a much larger issue — an established colony nearby or even inside the structure.
While not all ants cause structural damage, some species can contaminate food, weaken wood components, and create persistent infestations that are difficult to eliminate without professional intervention. The key is identifying the species and addressing the colony — not just the ants you see.
At Avista Pest Control, we focus on solving the problem at its source.
Signs of an Ant Infestation
Most ant problems don’t happen overnight. There are usually warning signs that a colony is nearby or actively nesting in or around your home.
Seeing a Few Ants Indoors
A few ants on the counter may seem harmless — but ants rarely travel alone. Worker ants leave pheromone trails that guide others directly to food and water sources. If you’re seeing ants repeatedly in the same area, there is likely a colony established nearby.
Visible Ant Trails
If you notice ants traveling in a line along baseboards, walls, or exterior foundations, they are following a scent trail back to their nest.
Sawdust or Wood Shavings
Certain species, particularly carpenter ants, excavate wood to build their nests. Unlike termites, they do not eat the wood — but they hollow it out. Small piles of sawdust-like debris near baseboards, window frames, or wooden structures can indicate nesting activity.
Hollow-Sounding Wood
If wood sounds hollow when tapped, it could mean insects have tunneled inside. This is most commonly associated with carpenter ants or other wood-destroying insects.
Damaged or Weak Wood
Severe carpenter ant infestations can compromise wooden structures over time. Wood may appear intact on the surface but be weakened internally.
Piles of Dirt Outdoors
Outdoor ant nests often appear as small mounds of soil along foundations, sidewalks, or landscaping.
Discarded Wings
During swarm season, reproductive ants (alates) shed their wings after mating. Finding small, translucent wings near windows or doors can indicate an active colony nearby.
Activity Inside Walls
In rare cases, you may hear faint rustling sounds inside walls, especially at night when ant activity increases.
How to Prevent Ant Problems
Most ants enter homes in search of three things: food, water, and shelter. Preventative measures can significantly reduce the risk of infestation:
- Clean up food spills promptly
- Store pantry items in sealed containers
- Keep trash tightly sealed and removed regularly
- Repair moisture issues and plumbing leaks
- Seal cracks and entry points around doors and windows
- Store firewood away from the home and off the ground
- Remove dead wood and plant debris near the structure
While prevention helps, established colonies often require targeted treatment.
Professional Ant Control
One of the biggest misconceptions about ant control is that spraying visible ants solves the problem. It doesn’t.
Effective ant control requires:
- Identifying the species
- Locating the colony
- Using targeted products designed to eliminate the entire population — including the queen
At Avista Pest Control, we use a strategic baiting and treatment approach designed to eliminate the colony from within. Our products are formulated to work gradually, allowing worker ants to transfer the treatment throughout the nest. This ensures long-term control instead of temporary relief.
Most treatments require patience and precision — typically resolving active infestations within a couple of weeks, depending on species and severity.
Take Back Your Home
Ant problems don’t have to be a recurring frustration. With the right strategy, they can be eliminated completely and prevented from returning.
If you’re seeing signs of ant activity, let Avista Pest Control provide a professional inspection and a customized treatment plan.
Local. Experienced. Results-driven.