Pest control referrals, Augusta, Georgia
Ant control in Augusta, Georgia
A line of small ants along the counter usually leads back outside. Big black ants at night may point to moisture in the house. Here's how to tell them apart before you call.
Call (706) 538-9714Calls answered: early morning to late evening
How to recognise the ant you have
Argentine ants. Light brown, about an eighth of an inch and quick. UGA calls them the main nuisance ant in Georgia, with long, well-worn trails in summer.
Odorous house ants. Black, about the same size. Crush one and it smells a bit like suntan lotion. They like moisture more than most ants.
Black carpenter ants. The largest pest ants in Georgia, dull black, from a quarter to half an inch, with workers of different sizes. They come out at night and follow fixed trails. Indoors they turn up in dishwashers, under insulation and in damp wood.
Mounds in the yard are probably a different ant. See the fire ant page.
Source: UGA Extension pest guide B1412.
Why ants show up around Augusta, Georgia
Argentine ants nest mainly outdoors, including in mulch, and their colonies hold tens of thousands of ants. Beds of pine straw and mulch against the house give them a good start. They come inside looking for food and water.
Carpenter ants live mainly in knotholes in big hardwoods, which makes older, shaded lots a likely place to meet them.
Source: UGA Extension pest guide B1412.
What an ant visit usually involves
The company follows the trails back to where the ants are nesting, inside and out. Knowing the species matters, since what works on one ant can fail on another. Expect questions about where you see them and at what time of day.
Ask what the company plans to use, whether there's a follow-up, and how long to stay out of treated areas. Ask too if you have pets or small children, and follow what they tell you.
When to call
Call when the trails keep coming back after you've cleaned up, or when you see large black ants indoors, since those can point to a moisture problem worth finding.
In the meantime, wipe up the trail, keep food sealed, fix drips, and pull mulch back from the foundation. Spraying a trail may not reach the colony, so say what you've tried when you call.
Ants: common questions
Do carpenter ants eat wood like termites?
They nest in wood rather than eat it, and they tend to go for damp wood. Soil packed inside damaged wood points to termites instead, which helps tell the two apart.
Why do ants keep coming back?
Cleaning a trail doesn't touch a colony that may hold tens of thousands of ants outdoors. The colony needs to be found and dealt with.
Can I get help with ants in an apartment?
Yes, you can call, but check your lease first. See the renters guide for how Georgia treats this.
Got pests right now? Make the call.
You'll be connected with an independent pest control company that serves your part of the Augusta, Georgia area. Have your ZIP code ready, and say what you've been seeing and where.
Call (706) 538-9714Calls answered: early morning to late evening
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