Ants and roaches: find the way in, then act
They are in your kitchen because something gives them food, water or a way in. We find that first.
What they are after
Ants follow a trail from a nest outside to a crumb inside, and the trail runs along a crack, a pipe or a window frame. Roaches want warmth, water and a place to hide, which is why they gather behind dishwashers and under sinks that stay damp. Finding the trail or the hiding place tells us what to seal, dry or treat.
How many visits
Most ant jobs take two or three visits over several weeks, and roach jobs often take more. It varies with the species and the house, and we say so on the scope.
Signs
What to look for
A trail on the counter or baseboard
Small ants moving in a line to something sweet or greasy.
Damp cabinets and slow drains
Roaches and some ants go where there is steady moisture.
Droppings or egg cases in a dark corner
Behind appliances, in the pantry corners, along the garage wall.
Our steps
What we do, in four steps
- 01
Step 1: Inspect
Outside and inside, following trails to where they start.
- 02
Step 2: Identify
Species decides everything: sweet ants, grease ants and carpenter ants are not the same job.
- 03
Step 3: Fix the way in
Seal the crack, repair the screen, dry the leak.
- 04
Step 4: Treat where needed, then check
Bait or targeted treatment where the inspection pointed, and a follow-up visit to check it worked.
Your part
Before we come, and after we leave
Before the visit
Clear the floor under the kitchen sink and the pantry shelves
Tell us where your pets eat and sleep
Put away pet food overnight before the visit
Let us know about anyone with allergies or asthma
After the visit
Keep to the time the report gives for treated areas
Wipe surfaces as you normally would, but leave baits where they are
Watch the trail for two weeks and tell us what you see
Keep counters clear of crumbs and pet bowls picked up at night
Questions about this one
Do I need to be home?
For the inspection, yes, or someone who can let us in and show us the problem rooms. Follow-up visits can often be done outside.
Will baits attract more ants?
Baits are placed along trails so the ants carry them back to the nest. You may see more ants for a few days, and that is expected.
Do you treat carpenter ants?
We inspect for them, because they point to damp or damaged wood. If they are nesting in your walls, we explain what we found before we treat.
See the trail for yourself
We'll walk it with you, show you where it starts and write down what to do about it.