Safe and Effective Pest Control Solutions

Ants play a critical role in many different ecosystems, but ants can become a nuisance when they set up in and around your home. Ants disperse seeds, help distribute nutrients in soil, and even help control pest populations. Most of the ant species you’ll encounter in the Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey area don’t bite or sting, but they can cause problems for your home and invade your outdoor spaces.

If ants start nesting in your home or finding their way into your food, that’s when you’ve got a problem on your hands. Let’s learn about some of the most common ant species in our area and how to deal with them quickly, efficiently, and safely.

Common Ants in Thurston County

Common types of ants you might see around your home include:

• Odorous House Ants – Also commonly called sugar ants, these tiny black or brown ants are known for the rotten, sweet smell they give off when smooshed. They often build nests in empty spaces in the walls or under floors. They’re very good at finding and following food trails right to your kitchen.
• Carpenter Ants – These are the big black or sometimes reddish-black ants that you usually see nesting in damp or decaying wood. Carpenter ants don’t eat wood quite like termites, but they do burrow through it when they set up shop and build their nests. In some of the worst cases, they can create structural damage near wet, rotted wood near leak plumbing or water intrusion leaks.
• Pavement Ants – These ants are sometimes called sidewalk ants. They’re small and dark brown. They usually nest under sidewalks, driveways, and concrete slabs. They find ways to sneak inside cracks in concrete looking for crumbs or pet food and are usually seen in large numbers.
• Moisture Ants – These ants appear yellowish in color. As their name implies, they’re attracted to damp or decaying wood. If you see them indoors, especially near sinks, tubs, or crawlspaces, it could mean there’s a moisture problem that needs attention.
• Thatching Ants – Also referred to as field ants or mound ants, these red and black ants often build large mound nests outdoors, especially in fields, garden beds, and near foundations. While they mostly stay outside, their large colonies and painful bites can become a problem in yards when disturbed. If you have pets or kids, they can be a risk.

When we inspect your property for ants, we’re trying to find their source of food and shelter. Just a few crumbs, a leaky pipe, or a crack in the garage floor is enough to bring them inside. Once a worker ant finds something good, it lays down a scent and others from the colony start to follow. 

Our Ant Control Treatment Process

Our ant control treatments are designed to provide lasting results while keeping the process simple for homeowners. A standard treatment usually begins with an interior service, which requires people and pets to be out of the home for about two hours. It is safe for pets to stay in a room that’s not being treated. About two weeks later, we follow up with an exterior treatment to target ants at their entry points and nesting areas.

Every home is different and treatment plans may vary, but we want customers to be prepared for the brief time away during the interior service. Each treatment is backed by our three-month ant-free guarantee, giving you peace of mind. For ongoing protection, we also offer quarterly and biannual maintenance plans designed to keep ants from returning.

We look at the whole picture: where the ants are coming from, why they’re coming in, and how we can keep them out for good.

Tips to Prevent Ants

To prevent ants from getting in your home:

• Seal small openings around windows, doors, and foundations
• Store food in airtight containers
• Wipe up crumbs and spills quickly
• Fix any plumbing leaks or damp areas
• Keep trees and shrubs trimmed away from your home
• Avoid stacking firewood or yard debris next to the house

Call Us to Find, Remove, and Keep Ants Out!

Ants are persistent—but with the right approach, you can stop them from turning your home into an extension of theirs.

If you’ve tried ant bait stations and ants keep coming back or you see them in different parts of your home, Spectrum Pest Management can help.

We’ll figure out the type of ant problem you’re dealing with and solve the problem at the nest with long-term exclusion in mind.

Contact us at (360) 284-4450 if you have questions about ants or if you’d like to schedule an appointment with our licensed ant pest management technician today.