Ant Control

Common Types of Ants & Control Solutions

Ants play an important role in your local ecosystem, but that doesn’t mean they should feel welcome at your backyard picnic, or in your pantry.

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Ant Control

Ants play an important role in your local ecosystem, but that doesn’t mean they should feel welcome at your backyard picnic, or in your pantry. Left unchecked, ants can infest unsealed food, spread germs, or damage infrastructure.

Read on to learn about common types of ants, tips for managing ants on your property, and about your options for professional ant pest control.

Need pest control now? Find your local pest pros and schedule a Squad Home Shield pest package to manage ants and other intrusive pests on your property.

Ant Fun Fact💭🐜

There are more ants on Earth than any other creature! There are an estimated 2.5 million ants for every human.

Common Types of Ants

There are thousands of different species of ants around the world. Ants common to North America include:

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are large, typically black ants that can cause structural damage to wood. Unlike termites, they don’t eat wood but hollow it out to build nests. They're often found in damp, decaying wood, which is why they’re commonly seen in trees, decks, and homes with water damage.

Odorous House Ants

These small brown or black ants get their name from the strong and rotten odor they emit when crushed. They often invade homes in search of food and tend to nest near sources of moisture like water heaters, sinks, and leaky pipes. Once they’re inside, it can be hard to get rid of them, as colonies have multiple queens and multiple nests.

Pavement Ants

Pavement ants are small brown to black ants that are often found nesting under pavement, sidewalks, and driveways. They invade homes through cracks, especially during hot or wet weather. Pavement ants are omnivorous and will eat almost anything, making them a common household pest.

Pharaoh Ants

Pharaoh ants are tiny yellow or light brown ants known to carry bacteria. They’re also difficult to control because they form multiple colonies. Pharoah ants can feed on a wide variety of food, from sugary substances to grease.

Army Ants

These nomadic ants form large colonies that march across the landscape, consuming everything in their path. They forage but are also predatory. Army ants are attracted to warm, moist environments. This is why they often invade homes in search of food and shelter. Army ants are nomadic and do not form permanent nests.

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Protect what matters most

Targets: Mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, indoor & outdoor ants, roaches, 15+ yard pests and 20+ home pests

Service Duration: 12 months

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Preventing Pests

Tips for Managing Ants on Your Property

You can deter ants from taking up residence in your yard or invading your home by:

Draining standing water – Ants are attracted to moisture, so remove any standing water in your yard. Fix leaky hoses or faucets and maintain good drainage to reduce moisture levels. Ants will also seek moisture inside your home. To prevent an infestation, promptly fix leaky pipes, clogged drains, or areas with excess humidity in your home.
Keeping your yard clean – Regularly mowing the grass and trimming bushes near your home’s foundation can prevent these spaces from becoming a haven for ants.
Sealing cracks and entry points – Inspect your home’s foundation, windows, and doors for cracks or gaps. Use caulk to seal these openings.
Using natural deterrents – Some natural deterrents, such as vinegar, lemon juice, coffee grounds, and cinnamon, can help prevent ant infestations. Spread these around the perimeter of your yard or home to stop ants from entering.
Sealing food containers – Store food in airtight containers, especially sweet or greasy food. Clean up crumbs and spills quickly to avoid attracting ants.
Regularly cleaning your kitchen and dining areas – Sweep, vacuum, and wipe down countertops and floors to remove food particles that might attract ants.

Consult a Pest Specialist

Take Action Against Ants

Ants are small but persistent when it comes to finding food, water, and shelter. Sometimes, that might mean your yard or home. Our Squad Home Shield pest package is the best ant control option to deter these pests and keep them away. Your local Squad® will perform a perimeter spray that will help prevent ants from getting inside. It will also target areas where ants thrive outside to kill them on contact and continue to deter them for up to 21 days.

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OUR PROMISE TO YOU

Our Mission is Your Satisfaction

From your home’s perimeter to the property line, Mosquito Squad is passionate about helping protect from the potential dangers and irritations that bloodsucking pests bring to your space. Fighting mosquitoes, ticks, and other pests is as easy as 1-2-3!

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1

No Contract

Enjoy our services without the pressure of a contract—simple and stress-free.
2

Satisfaction Guarantee

If you are not completely satisfied with your treatment, contact your office within 14 days of service for a courtesy treatment at no additional charge.
3

Fast Service

We strive to schedule your service right away. Call us today, and we promise to have your first treatment scheduled and completed within 48 business hours*, weather permitting! *Only available in participating locations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ants

Why do ants come inside the home?

Ants come indoors in search of food, water, and shelter. Even small crumbs or spills can attract ants, and they often enter homes through cracks, gaps, and windows.

What do ants eat?

Ants are omnivores and eat everything from fallen snack crumbs and sugary substances to other insects! Different species may have specific preferences; for example, sugar ants love sweets, while others may prefer greasy or protein-rich foods.

Do ants bite or sting?

Only a few kinds of ants bite or sting people. Fire ants can deliver painful, even dangerous stings. Others, such as carpenter ants, may bite, but this is usually not dangerous (though it may cause discomfort). Biting ants do not inject venom like stinging ants.

How much weight can an ant carry?

Short answer: a lot. Ants can typically walk off with objects 50 times their body weight. This is like a 180-pound man lifting a grand piano off the ground and carrying it outside. Ants are this powerful because they have proportionally larger muscles than humans and an exoskeleton that provides powerful support. Further, many species work together to carry objects too heavy for a single ant, like a stick of beef jerky, pooling their strength to deliver a large food scrap to their nest.

How many types of ants are there?

There are 12,000 species of ants worldwide. Ants can be found in almost every habitat, from cracked-dry deserts to lush, humid rainforests.

Preventing Pests

Take a closer look at how to keep specific pests out of your home

Preventing fire ants

Though most ants aren’t dangerous, fire ants can be a serious nuisance and danger to you and your pets. Mosquito Squad is here to protect you from invasion, but you can also follow some simple steps to help keep the ants at bay as a precaution.

Learn About Fire Ants

Preventing spiders

It's essential to seal potential entry points and reduce clutter where spiders might hide in your home in order to keep them from invading. Maintaining a clean environment and managing outdoor vegetation can also help deter them from approaching your living spaces.

Learn About Spiders

Preventing cockroaches

To prevent cockroaches from entering your home, ensure that all potential entry points are sealed and maintain a clean environment to eliminate food sources. Regularly inspect and address any plumbing leaks or standing water, as these can attract pests.

Learn About Cockroaches

Preventing scorpions

To protect your home from scorpions, ensure that potential entry points are sealed and maintain a tidy outdoor environment. Regularly remove debris and keep vegetation trimmed to reduce their hiding spots and discourage them from approaching your home.

Learn About Scorpions

Real Reviews – Written by real people like you

Customer Reviews of Mosquito Squad

4.91 avg

(11207 reviews)

[{u'rating': 5, u'profile_photo_url': u'https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocLcSJlXLviXxjSceUypa-q7Q29Ydcn7xAm_6mklKaPgrSHtnQ=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo', u'language': u'en', u'text': u'Forrenski is always exceedingly good. A great technician that takes a wonderful care with pests and mosquitoes spray at my house and always checking for extra things that we need to be done to prevent more problems. He also knows exactly what I want and the spots we have that are our concerns regarding mosquitoes, spiders \u2026 and he is always on time and very professional. Mosquito Squad has a great people to answer all your questions and a great Custumer service support. It\u2019s a great company to work with. It\u2019s a family and local company and they have an affordable price. It\u2019s almost two years that we have them taking care of pests and mosquitoes for us and I can highly recommend them.', 'review_content': u'Forrenski is always exceedingly good. A great technician that takes a wonderful care with pests and mosquitoes spray at my house and always checking for extra things that we need to be done to prevent more problems. He also knows exactly what I want and the spots we have that are our concerns regarding mosquitoes, spiders \u2026 and he is always on time and very professional. Mosquito Squad has a great people to answer all your questions and a great Custumer service support. It\u2019s a great company to work with. It\u2019s a family and local company and they have an affordable price. It\u2019s almost two years that we have them taking care of pests and mosquitoes for us and I can highly recommend them.', u'author_name': u'Helena Kuahara', 'datetime': datetime.datetime(2025, 3, 14, 19, 7, 45), 'review_rating': 5, 'review_author': u'Helena Kuahara', u'author_url': u'https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/106664476423596905949/reviews', u'relative_time_description': u'a week ago', u'time': 1741979265, u'translated': False, u'original_language': u'en'}, {u'rating': 5, u'profile_photo_url': u'https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocIeaAYzHRKzBmQ1WcjcJ9wTa45cMPY32CReWWy2WBaj_TNCUQ=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo', u'language': u'en', u'text': u'They did a wonderful job! Love sitting out on my backyard again!', 'review_content': u'They did a wonderful job! Love sitting out on my backyard again!', u'author_name': u'Rosemary Kross', 'datetime': datetime.datetime(2025, 3, 14, 15, 16, 6), 'review_rating': 5, 'review_author': u'Rosemary Kross', u'author_url': u'https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/105887686471438659121/reviews', u'relative_time_description': u'a week ago', u'time': 1741965366, u'translated': False, u'original_language': u'en'}, {u'rating': 5, u'profile_photo_url': u'https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a-/ALV-UjWpaXAVG8SmtN0Ls9QujPjNL8wBfSbO7HKqPT9bV8WkJqOfJzpY=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo', u'language': u'en', u'text': u'This is our first time using Mosquito Squad. We opted for the less toxic, EBI treatment and asked that in only be sprayed in very specific places. Shane L. came out today and took the time to listen to my concerns and requests, was very kind and respectful, and took great care to do exactly what I asked. It was a tough decision for us to opt to have anything at all sprayed in our yard, and I\u2019m grateful that he and their team took the time to work with me on a solution.', 'review_content': u'This is our first time using Mosquito Squad. We opted for the less toxic, EBI treatment and asked that in only be sprayed in very specific places. Shane L. came out today and took the time to listen to my concerns and requests, was very kind and respectful, and took great care to do exactly what I asked. It was a tough decision for us to opt to have anything at all sprayed in our yard, and I\u2019m grateful that he and their team took the time to work with me on a solution.', u'author_name': u'Kimberley Friberg', 'datetime': datetime.datetime(2025, 3, 13, 2, 8, 35), 'review_rating': 5, 'review_author': u'Kimberley Friberg', u'author_url': u'https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/111995912126912435851/reviews', u'relative_time_description': u'a week ago', u'time': 1741831715, u'translated': False, u'original_language': u'en'}, {u'rating': 5, u'profile_photo_url': u'https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocKmxcx3dQ41fY-xJjBqBiDWrFt61hj7p1uPLBtNTitbYphx2A=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo', u'language': u'en', u'text': u'Have had excellent service for 3 consecutive years. They provide a schedule for each of the 7 service calls each year and they have never missed the dates planned. Only needed one extra treatment in 3 years and they responded immediately and no charge.\nDealt with 2 different service providers prior to using mosquito squad and they were both disasters.\nHighly recommend Mosquito Squad!!', 'review_content': u'Have had excellent service for 3 consecutive years. They provide a schedule for each of the 7 service calls each year and they have never missed the dates planned. Only needed one extra treatment in 3 years and they responded immediately and no charge.\nDealt with 2 different service providers prior to using mosquito squad and they were both disasters.\nHighly recommend Mosquito Squad!!', u'author_name': u'Charlene Boulais', 'datetime': datetime.datetime(2025, 3, 11, 18, 38, 5), 'review_rating': 5, 'review_author': u'Charlene Boulais', u'author_url': u'https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/105701882099815833806/reviews', u'relative_time_description': u'a week ago', u'time': 1741718285, u'translated': False, u'original_language': u'en'}, {u'rating': 5, u'profile_photo_url': u'https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a-/ALV-UjVnV3udZiuR7POt8PFkoOsdDtZMbqvmq159kjWnHlai_UnoMRDGlQ=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo', u'language': u'en', u'text': u"Just had a quick easy experience with Chris and Dustin. They were in and out in under 10 minutes again, this is the second time we've used their service and we've been keeping the pests at bay! 5/5 stars, recommend to everyone.", 'review_content': u"Just had a quick easy experience with Chris and Dustin. They were in and out in under 10 minutes again, this is the second time we've used their service and we've been keeping the pests at bay! 5/5 stars, recommend to everyone.", u'author_name': u'Timothy Ryan', 'datetime': datetime.datetime(2025, 3, 11, 17, 50, 26), 'review_rating': 5, 'review_author': u'Timothy Ryan', u'author_url': u'https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/115507807151673885814/reviews', u'relative_time_description': u'a week ago', u'time': 1741715426, u'translated': False, u'original_language': u'en'}, {u'rating': 5, u'profile_photo_url': u'https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a-/ALV-UjXjlQah2Mi_abVDbe0_d1ZxoIa_h8Nl56qcNry8bM746T1CBnDY=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo', u'language': u'en', u'text': u'Shane L. did a great job and was very thorough in explaining what we was going to do and taking care of our home and yard.', 'review_content': u'Shane L. did a great job and was very thorough in explaining what we was going to do and taking care of our home and yard.', u'author_name': u'Parker Plant', 'datetime': datetime.datetime(2025, 3, 10, 22, 37, 16), 'review_rating': 5, 'review_author': u'Parker Plant', u'author_url': u'https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/113722299467794309896/reviews', u'relative_time_description': u'a week ago', u'time': 1741646236, u'translated': False, u'original_language': u'en'}, {u'rating': 5, u'profile_photo_url': u'https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocIWMyCNUymS0vA0_bFOXTX6H8GNy9GsHxZy7dRMkxKEYDG6HQ=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo', u'language': u'en', u'text': u'This is our amazing Mosquito Squad tech Shane L.\nShane is not only very knowledgeable about pest control, he is extremely thorough and gets even the smallest area you wouldn\u2019t think of. He also doesn\u2019t just come out and spray and leave. He looks for problem areas, really coats them and then comes and explains the issues he finds and what could be the cause. He gives multiple suggestions of ways to fix those particular areas and doesn\u2019t just push additional services. We have been using Mosquito Squad for many years and he is one of the best technicians we have had.', 'review_content': u'This is our amazing Mosquito Squad tech Shane L.\nShane is not only very knowledgeable about pest control, he is extremely thorough and gets even the smallest area you wouldn\u2019t think of. He also doesn\u2019t just come out and spray and leave. He looks for problem areas, really coats them and then comes and explains the issues he finds and what could be the cause. He gives multiple suggestions of ways to fix those particular areas and doesn\u2019t just push additional services. We have been using Mosquito Squad for many years and he is one of the best technicians we have had.', u'author_name': u'Kelly Thurston', 'datetime': datetime.datetime(2025, 3, 9, 20, 8), 'review_rating': 5, 'review_author': u'Kelly Thurston', u'author_url': u'https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/113384653631166046163/reviews', u'relative_time_description': u'a week ago', u'time': 1741550880, u'translated': False, u'original_language': u'en'}, {u'rating': 5, u'profile_photo_url': u'https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocLfIzlf0U3hBaM7EfoTsceTzDHKdIKn1FhqvIn6ae2sBsS9CA=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo', u'language': u'en', u'text': u'Last year was the first time we invested in a treatment. I am so glad we did because we got to enjoy our backyard without getting Mauled by tons of mosquitoes. Mosquito squad even came out a second time one month three of charge because it got pretty bad and it did the trick. I was also very impressed with how they cared about other insects that pollinate my vegetable and flower gardens. I just wish all of my neighbors would have their yards treated as well. Thank you, Mosquito squad you have helped us enjoy our backyard year around!', 'review_content': u'Last year was the first time we invested in a treatment. I am so glad we did because we got to enjoy our backyard without getting Mauled by tons of mosquitoes. Mosquito squad even came out a second time one month three of charge because it got pretty bad and it did the trick. I was also very impressed with how they cared about other insects that pollinate my vegetable and flower gardens. I just wish all of my neighbors would have their yards treated as well. Thank you, Mosquito squad you have helped us enjoy our backyard year around!', u'author_name': u'Tracy Tucker', 'datetime': datetime.datetime(2025, 3, 6, 18, 30, 45), 'review_rating': 5, 'review_author': u'Tracy Tucker', u'author_url': u'https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/103903900383048189474/reviews', u'relative_time_description': u'2 weeks ago', u'time': 1741285845, u'translated': False, u'original_language': u'en'}, {u'rating': 5, u'profile_photo_url': u'https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocLd7zE6ItROWbMUS31Uc5D7EzQG1nhpj2LB_Y8FMUuxT7uN=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo', u'language': u'en', u'text': u'Very happy with Mosquito Squad of Greater St. Louis. It really works and makes it enjoyable to sit outside on my patio during the summer months.\nTheir customer service is amazing and if I\u2019m having a backyard gathering, I can call the day before to have my yard Easily serviced.', 'review_content': u'Very happy with Mosquito Squad of Greater St. Louis. It really works and makes it enjoyable to sit outside on my patio during the summer months.\nTheir customer service is amazing and if I\u2019m having a backyard gathering, I can call the day before to have my yard Easily serviced.', u'author_name': u'Kerry Vetter', 'datetime': datetime.datetime(2025, 3, 6, 17, 48, 39), 'review_rating': 5, 'review_author': u'Kerry Vetter', u'author_url': u'https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/118428791516881294982/reviews', u'relative_time_description': u'2 weeks ago', u'time': 1741283319, u'translated': False, u'original_language': u'en'}, {u'rating': 5, u'profile_photo_url': u'https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocI0eBNnkU91uRBg6rWFFC7vxuApT8CaNEvS9SO8r-SgmFNhBQ=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo', u'language': u'en', u'text': u'Today James did my mosquito service this is my 3rd or 4th year. He does a great job.always on time and he is very thorough in his work. Great company. Very good prices. I love the way the company schedules you know when you service is and the text messages about arrival time it help me with the pets. Thank you James for a mosquito free summer.', 'review_content': u'Today James did my mosquito service this is my 3rd or 4th year. He does a great job.always on time and he is very thorough in his work. Great company. Very good prices. I love the way the company schedules you know when you service is and the text messages about arrival time it help me with the pets. Thank you James for a mosquito free summer.', u'author_name': u'Sherry Luck', 'datetime': datetime.datetime(2025, 3, 6, 17, 44, 14), 'review_rating': 5, 'review_author': u'Sherry Luck', u'author_url': u'https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/107661781902403391794/reviews', u'relative_time_description': u'2 weeks ago', u'time': 1741283054, u'translated': False, u'original_language': u'en'}]

Helena Kuahara

"Forrenski is always exceedingly good. A great technician that takes a wonderful care with pests and mosquitoes spray at my house and always checking for extra things that we need to be done to..."

Rosemary Kross

"They did a wonderful job! Love sitting out on my backyard again!"

Kimberley Friberg

"This is our first time using Mosquito Squad. We opted for the less toxic, EBI treatment and asked that in only be sprayed in very specific places. Shane L. came out today and took the time to..."

Charlene Boulais

"Have had excellent service for 3 consecutive years. They provide a schedule for each of the 7 service calls each year and they have never missed the dates planned. Only needed one extra treatment..."

Timothy Ryan

"Just had a quick easy experience with Chris and Dustin. They were in and out in under 10 minutes again, this is the second time we've used their service and we've been keeping the pests at bay!..."

Parker Plant

"Shane L. did a great job and was very thorough in explaining what we was going to do and taking care of our home and yard."

Kelly Thurston

"This is our amazing Mosquito Squad tech Shane L. Shane is not only very knowledgeable about pest control, he is extremely thorough and gets even the smallest area you wouldn’t think of. He also..."

Tracy Tucker

"Last year was the first time we invested in a treatment. I am so glad we did because we got to enjoy our backyard without getting Mauled by tons of mosquitoes. Mosquito squad even came out a..."

Kerry Vetter

"Very happy with Mosquito Squad of Greater St. Louis. It really works and makes it enjoyable to sit outside on my patio during the summer months. Their customer service is amazing and if I’m having..."

Sherry Luck

"Today James did my mosquito service this is my 3rd or 4th year. He does a great job.always on time and he is very thorough in his work. Great company. Very good prices. I love the way the company..."