Before your inspection
- What we look at
- Species, trails, likely nesting sites, and moisture or food sources.
- How to prepare
- Photograph trails and note where they enter before disturbing them.
- Cost & next steps
- Free inspection, followed by a written estimate. We explain the scope before you approve any work.
Scheduling: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm Eastern. Same-day service may be available, depending on the schedule and your location.
Ants are one of the most common reasons Triangle homeowners call us. The right treatment depends on the species: a trail of small household ants in the kitchen is a different job from carpenter ants in damp wood or a fire ant mound by the driveway.
Castle treats common household ants, carpenter ants, fire ants, Pharaoh ants and Argentine ants. Spraying the trail you can see rarely reaches the colony and can scatter some species, so we start by identifying the ant and finding where it is coming from.
Ants we treat
- Common household ants, such as odorous house ants
- Carpenter ants, including a check for the moisture that attracts them
- Fire ants (see also fire ant and carpenter bee treatment)
- Pharaoh ants
- Argentine ants
Exact coverage, visit frequency and any guarantee depend on your written service agreement.
Why species matters
Carpenter ants excavate damp or damaged wood to nest, so finding and fixing the moisture is part of the job. Pharaoh ants can split into new colonies when stressed, which is why the wrong spray can make them harder to control. Argentine ants form large, connected colonies outdoors. Fire ants build mounds in sunny soil and sting when disturbed. Identification decides the products, placement and follow-up.
Before your visit
If you can, take a photo of the ants next to a coin and note where the trail enters. Avoid spraying the trail before we arrive: it helps us to see where the ants are going.
Signs you may need this service
- Trails along counters, sinks, windows or baseboards
- Small piles of wood shavings (frass) near wood trim — a possible sign of carpenter ants
- Winged ants indoors
- Soil mounds in the lawn or along walkways — possibly fire ants
- Ants returning soon after you have wiped a trail away
How Castle Exterminators handles it
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Identify the species
We confirm which ant you have and look for trails, nests and entry points.
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Find the source
We check for moisture, food sources and outdoor nesting sites that feed the activity indoors.
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Written estimate
You get the treatment plan and price in writing before we begin.
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Targeted treatment
Products and placement chosen for the species, applied according to label directions.
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Follow-up
Ants covered by a qualifying plan that return between scheduled visits qualify for a return treatment.
We use EPA-registered products applied according to label directions. Your technician gives product-specific preparation and re-entry instructions when a treatment calls for them.
Frequently asked questions
Which ants do you treat?
Common household ants, carpenter ants, fire ants, Pharaoh ants and Argentine ants.
Should I spray the ants before you arrive?
It is better not to. Seeing the trail helps us find the nest, and some species scatter when sprayed.
Are carpenter ants a sign of termites?
Not necessarily. They are different insects, but both are attracted to moisture and damaged wood. If you are unsure, we can inspect for both. See termite inspection.
Is ant control included in general pest control?
Common ants are covered by our general pest control plans. Your agreement lists the covered pests.
Related services
Homeowner guides
Practical reading before you book ant control.