Ant Control

Ant Control 

The Pest Cartel’s Ant Control Services

Our Strategic Approach to Ant Control
Ants are resourceful creatures, capable of sneaking into your home through the tiniest cracks in search of food and water. Once they find what they’re looking for, they leave behind a pheromone trail, inviting the rest of their colony to follow. At The Pest Cartel, we take these behaviors into account to stop ants in their tracks and ensure they don’t return. Our ant control process is comprehensive yet straightforward, consisting of four key steps:

1. IDENTIFY

Proper identification is the cornerstone of effective ant control. Not all ants are the same—each species has unique dietary preferences, behaviors, breeding cycles, and nesting habits. By pinpointing the exact species invading your home, we can gather the critical information needed to design a targeted solution. Once we’ve identified the culprits, it’s time to move to step two: locating their entry points and nests.

2. LOCATE

Armed with knowledge of the ant species, we track their movements to understand how and why they’ve invaded your space. Most ants follow pheromone trails between their nesting sites and food or water sources. These trails provide invaluable clues for placing baits or even discovering the nest itself. With this detective work complete, we’re ready to move on to treatment.

3. TREAT

With all the groundwork done, we implement a customized treatment plan. Depending on the species, we may use a combination of nontoxic bait, insecticides, and insecticidal dust. This process is typically repeated over a two- to three-week period. After the initial treatment, ants often become stressed and relocate, taking their eggs with them. A second treatment ensures that any reproductive adults are eliminated, effectively breaking the lifecycle and eradicating the infestation from your home.

4. MONITOR

Even after the ants are gone, regular monitoring is crucial to prevent re-infestation. Ants are known to return to the same locations, particularly if external factors like landscaping, moisture, or food sources remain unchanged. Occasionally, a new species may try to move in as well. That’s why ongoing inspections and preventive measures are key. At The Pest Cartel, we’re here to keep an eye on things so you don’t have to.

Using this systematic approach, we not only eliminate ants from your home or office but also ensure they stay away. Unsure what type of ant you’re dealing with? Snap a picture and send it to us! With a clear photo, we can often identify the species and provide advice the very same day.

Why Choose The Pest Cartel?

At The Pest Cartel, we’re on a mission to protect your home from unwanted pests while providing unmatched value, service, and trust. Serving Central Florida with pride, we’re passionate about delivering effective, reliable pest control solutions tailored to your needs. When you choose us, you’re not just a customer. you’re part of our growing family of satisfied clients. Contact us today and let’s take care of those pests, together.

Common Ant Species We Treat in Lakeland & Central Florida

Florida is home to more than 50 ant species. Here are the ones we treat most often in the Lakeland area:

Fire Ants

The most notorious ant in Florida. Fire ants build large mound nests in open, sunny areas — lawns, parks, playgrounds, and fields — and deliver a painful, burning sting that can cause allergic reactions in some people. They’re aggressive when disturbed and nearly impossible to fully eliminate with store-bought products. Professional treatment is strongly recommended, especially for families with children or pets.

Ghost Ants

Ghost ants are tiny, fast-moving, and nearly transparent — which makes them hard to spot and harder to treat. They’re a tropical species that thrives in Florida’s humidity, commonly nesting both outdoors and inside wall voids, cabinets, and potted plants. They’re highly attracted to sweets and can establish satellite colonies quickly. Standard sprays rarely work; targeted baiting is the most effective approach.

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants don’t eat wood — they tunnel through it to build their nests. While they’re slower to cause damage than termites, a mature carpenter ant colony can compromise structural wood over time. They prefer moist or decaying wood and are often a sign of a moisture problem. Large black ants inside your home, especially near window frames, door frames, or bathrooms, are a red flag.

Acrobat Ants

Named for their habit of raising their abdomen over their thorax when disturbed, acrobat ants nest in moist or previously damaged wood, insulation, and wall voids. They commonly enter homes through utility penetrations and are sometimes mistaken for carpenter ants. Like carpenter ants, their presence often indicates a moisture or wood damage issue worth investigating.

Odorous House Ants

Odorous house ants get their name from the foul, rotten-coconut smell they release when crushed. They’re small, fast, and trail in large numbers to food sources — particularly sweets and greasy foods. They nest in wall voids, under flooring, and in mulch or debris near the home’s foundation. Their colonies can contain hundreds of thousands of workers, which is why DIY sprays often make the problem worse by causing the colony to fracture and spread.

Ant Control and Extermination Tips!

• Keep your home clean and tidy – This is one of the easiest ways to prevent ants from entering your home. Sweep and mop regularly, and wipe down counters and tables after meals. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink, and make sure all food is stored properly in airtight containers.
• Seal up entry points – Ants are small and can enter your home through even the tiniest cracks and crevices. Block possible entry points by caulking windows and doors, and filling in any gaps in your walls. Also, make sure your screens are clear of holes and are in good condition.
• Eliminate standing water – Like us, ants need water to survive, so eliminating standing water around your home is essential. Check for leaky pipes and faucets, and fix them promptly. Remember not to overwater your lawn or garden.
• Trim trees and bushes – Ants love to use trees and bushes as a bridge to get inside your home. Do a quick scan around your residence and trim back any branches or bushes that touch your house or roof.
• Use natural repellents – Several natural repellents that are effective at repelling ants are peppermint oil, vinegar, and cinnamon. Place these items in areas where ants are likely to enter, such as around doors and windows.

  If you’ve tried these tips and tricks and still have an ant problem, it’s time to call in the professionals. A home pest control company like The Pest Cartel can provide pest control services and send an ant exterminator to assess and treat your home. We can also provide ongoing maintenance to ensure that the ants stay away for good.

Call or click here to schedule your inspection!

Ant Control FAQ

Why do I keep getting ants even after treating them myself?

Most store-bought sprays are repellent-based, which means they kill the ants you see but push the rest of the colony deeper into the wall or underground. Worse, some species will split into multiple satellite colonies when they sense a threat, making the problem bigger. Effective ant control requires species identification, targeted baiting, and often multiple treatment visits to fully break the lifecycle.

How long does professional ant treatment take to work?

You’ll typically see a significant reduction in ant activity within a few days of the first treatment. Full elimination usually takes two to three weeks with follow-up visits. Some species with large, deep colonies may take slightly longer.

Are your ant treatments safe for kids and pets?

Yes. We use EPA-registered products and apply them in targeted ways that minimize exposure. Our technicians will advise you on any precautions to take — such as staying off treated surfaces while they dry — during each service visit.

Do you offer ongoing ant control maintenance?

We do. Ants are a year-round problem in Florida, and regular preventive treatments are the best way to keep colonies from re-establishing. Ask about our recurring pest control plans when you contact us.

What areas do you serve?

We provide ant control services throughout Lakeland, Winter Haven, Auburndale, Bartow, Plant City, Wesley Chapel, Haines City, Davenport, and the greater Polk County area. Contact us to confirm service in your specific location.