Ants are social insects that create, build and expand their colonies. Depending on the species and the maturity, an ant colony can number several thousand ants to millions. In Arizona, controlling the ants is a consistent battle since ants are prolific at migrating and creating new colonies.

The key to this process is effectively identifying colony entrances and implementing a treatment plan. Our customers often assist us in finding colony entrances by simply telling us where they see the activity. Once found, the two best ways to target the colony and gain control is by using baits and/or non-repellent sprays.

Baits have a food grade attractant that is enticing to ants because they think it is food. Using baits often creates more ant activity as additional worker ants come to forage. Because the active ingredient is untraceable and is very slow acting the ants take the bait back to their colony where it is shared with the other ants. Ultimately the baits are shared with the queen ant, which destroys the colony or greatly slows down the generation of new ants.

In some cases, non-repellent liquids are used along with baiting to achieve a synergistic affect. With non-repellents ants cannot sense the presence of the liquid and as they are out foraging they inadvertently pick up the non-repellent product and upon their return to the nest it is transferred throughout the colony and ultimately to the queen.

Because ants think baits are food there will be an increase in activity when initially treated. Since the ants need to take the baits and/or non-repellent back to the colony, it is slow acting. Some customers become concerned the treatment plan is not working because they do not see a decrease in the ant activity right away. The products are designed to ensure the ants survive long enough to carry the baits and/or non-repellents back to the colony. After 10-14 days you should see a noticeable decrease. Depending on the various species and situation, there are times when it will take a few treatments to obtain optimal control.

Our goal is to keep the majority of unwanted pests out of your home. Each Blue Sky service plan is backed by a simple guarantee. If you are seeing more than an occasional live ant inside your home and you would like us to provide an additional exterior or interior treatment, we will come back to re-service your home free of charge.