Common Ants in San Diego

Two of the most common ant species living in San Diego County are Argentine ants and carpenter ants.

Argentine ants live together in massive nests outdoors. They are attracted to sweets and sometimes proteins and will form long lines entering your home to forage for food.

Carpenter ants are also attracted to sweets. Carpenter ants chew through wood to create nesting areas. They are very destructive and difficult to control.

Other common ants in San Diego include harvester ants, little black ants, odorous house ants, thief ants, crazy ants, and pharaoh ants.

There have been limited infestations of imported fire ants in North San Diego county. There are no current reports of imported fire ants in South County, yet professional pest control operators such as Thrasher Termite & Pest Control remain vigilant.

Tips for Preventing Ant Invasions

Seal cracks and crevices that allow ants entry into your home
Practice good sanitation inside and clean up fallen fruit outside
Don't leave pet food out. Ants will find it
Seal all food in tightly lidded containers
Keep counters, sinks, tables, and floors clean and free of clutter
Clean dishes, crumbs and spills right away
Keep exterior areas treated by Thrasher dry (leave your sprinklers off for 24 hours after the treatment)…unless it’s been raining, in that case we’ll use granules that are activated by the wet weather

Frequently Asked Questions About Ant Control

When will I see results from the treatment?

Give the treatment three days to begin working. You will see further results over time, but it may take until after the second treatment to get a severe infestation under control.

How long will the treatment last?

The treatment will last up to 90 days as long as the treated area does not come into contact with water, is not covered with dirt, or is exposed to heavy foot traffic.

What if I see more Ants?

After you have given the treatment enough time to be effective, call us if you see further ant activity.

Will the treatment harm my children or pets?

You are protecting your household and pets by hiring a licensed pest control company trained in the proper use, application, and disposal of pest control materials.

Continue to protect yourself and your family by following these recommendations:

Spray Treatments: Keep people and pets off of treated surfaces until they
are completely dry. Normal contact with the dry surface should cause negligible exposure to the active
ingredient. Err on the side of caution and wash your hands if you come into contact with the dry, treated surface.
Granular Treatments: Granules applied to the soil surface are distributed and are too small to be picked out of the surrounding soil. A pet would have to ingest a huge amount of soil in order to be exposed to enough granules to cause concern. Wash your hands if you come into contact with soil treated with granules.
Gel Baits: Gels are only used in areas inaccessible to people and pets, such as within cracks or crevices or in
secure, sealed containment systems.