Arlington Ant Control
Eliminate carpenter ants, odorous house ants, and other ant species from your Arlington home with our proven non-repellent treatment methods.
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57 years of experience serving local homes with pets and kids.
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We don't lock you in with paperwork - stay because it works!
Professional Ant Control for Arlington Homes
57 Years of Trusted Service in Northern Virginia
Arlington's diverse housing stock, from the historic brick homes of North Arlington to the high-rise condos of Rosslyn and Ballston, presents unique challenges when it comes to ant control. The county's mature tree canopy, extensive stream corridors along Four Mile Run, and humid subtropical climate create conditions where ant colonies thrive year-round.
Better Termite & Pest Control has been protecting Arlington homes from ant infestations since 1968. Our ant control service uses non-repellent insecticides that ants carry back to their colonies, eliminating the entire population rather than just the ones you see. We've removed 9 of the harshest chemicals common in our industry, choosing products like Essentria and Alpine that our research team has thoroughly vetted.
With triannual maintenance visits and unlimited free callbacks, we keep your home ant-free year-round. And because we don't believe in locking you into contracts, you can cancel anytime with 30-day notice if you're not satisfied.
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Why Arlington Homes Attract Ants
Local Conditions Create Ideal Ant Habitat
Arlington's humid subtropical climate, with summer highs averaging around 88-90°F and roughly 40-45 inches of annual rainfall, creates the moisture that ant colonies need. The county's extensive stream network, including Four Mile Run (which drains two-thirds of Arlington), Donaldson Run, and tributaries near Glencarlyn Park, provides constant moisture to nearby neighborhoods.
North Arlington neighborhoods like Lyon Village, Ashton Heights, Maywood, and Cherrydale feature older homes built between the 1920s and 1950s. These properties often have brick masonry with settlement cracks, aging utility penetrations, and crawlspaces that provide easy entry for ants. Even newer construction in areas like Crystal City and National Landing can experience ant issues, particularly in buildings with ground-floor restaurants and extensive landscaping.
Common Ant Species in Arlington
Carpenter ants are the most concerning species in Arlington. These large black ants don't eat wood like termites, but they excavate it to build their nests, potentially causing structural damage. Odorous house ants are the small black ants that invade kitchens, attracted by moisture and food. Pavement ants nest under sidewalks and foundations, while acrobat ants often enter through damaged wood or old insulation.
Carpenter Ant Control in Arlington
Protecting Arlington's Historic Wood Structures
Carpenter ants pose a particular threat to Arlington's older homes. The single-family brick homes in neighborhoods like Westover, Arlington Forest, and Dominion Hills often have original wood framing that's been in place for 70+ years. When moisture intrusion occurs, whether from aging roofs, gutter issues, or foundation seepage, carpenter ants move in to excavate galleries for their nests.
Signs of carpenter ant activity include sawdust-like frass near wood surfaces, rustling sounds in walls, and the appearance of large black ants (often with wings during spring swarming season). Our technicians know where to look in Arlington homes, from the aging sills common in Colonial Revival and Foursquare homes to the crawlspaces beneath mid-century ranches.
Our Carpenter Ant Treatment Approach
We start with a thorough inspection to locate the colony. Carpenter ants often nest in areas with moisture damage, so we'll identify any conducive conditions and provide recommendations. Treatment involves applying non-repellent insecticides to cracks, crevices, and entry points. Because the ants don't detect these products, they carry them back to the colony, eventually eliminating the entire population.
Kitchen Ant Infestations
Eliminating Odorous House Ants in Arlington Homes
If you've seen trails of tiny black ants marching across your kitchen counter or around your sink, you're likely dealing with odorous house ants. These small ants get their name from the rotten coconut smell they produce when crushed. In Arlington's older homes with aging plumbing, they find plenty of attractive nesting sites.
Odorous house ants are particularly common in Arlington neighborhoods with heavy tree cover and mature landscaping, like the areas around Bon Air Park, Potomac Overlook Regional Park, and the stream corridors near Glencarlyn. They nest outdoors in mulch, under stones, and in leaf litter, then forage indoors for food and water.
Long-Term Kitchen Ant Solutions
A single treatment rarely solves odorous house ant problems because these ants have multiple queens and can quickly establish new colonies. Our approach combines immediate crack-and-crevice treatment inside your home with a perimeter barrier outside. Triannual maintenance ensures that as one treatment fades (typically after 90 days), new protection is already in place.
Carpenter ants thrive in Arlington's mature tree canopy near Four Mile Run
These ants excavate wood to build nests, threatening older Arlington homes
Our technicians create a protective barrier around your home's foundation
Arlington's humid climate near streams creates ideal conditions for ant colonies
Odorous house ants are the small black ants that invade Arlington kitchens
We inspect and treat all potential entry points during every visit
Our Arlington Ant Control Process
Step 1: Interior Inspection & Treatment
Our licensed technicians begin inside your Arlington home, focusing on areas where ant activity has been observed or is likely to occur. This includes kitchens, bathrooms, pantries, and basements. In older Arlington properties, we pay special attention to areas around old plumbing, where moisture often attracts ants.
We look for ant trails, nests, and entry points such as cracks, crevices, and voids in walls and around pipes. A crack-and-crevice treatment using non-repellent insecticide targets these areas without disrupting your daily life.
Step 2: Exterior Perimeter Protection
Next, we inspect the exterior of your home, focusing on the foundation and perimeter. We look for ant nests, trails, and entry points where ants are getting inside. A perimeter treatment creates a barrier around your structure to prevent new ants from entering. We'll also identify conducive conditions, like areas of wood rot or moisture buildup common in Arlington's older structures, and advise on addressing these issues.
What Arlington Neighbors Say
1,050+ 5 Star Reviews on Google "We've had a subscription service with this company for yrs, since moving into our current house, and realizing it was rather...spidery. But NO MORE! Better Termite uses pet-friendly, but not spider-friendly products, and we are now creepy crawly-free! Over the years, they've also tackled ants, bees, and HORRIBLE paper wasps! Further, Cindy and Darren are awesome to work with, and really know their stuff! I can't recommend this company enough."
"Better Termite has been keeping our house bug free for years with regular perimeter treatments. As a small, family owned business, they are able to personalize their approach based on your needs. It's clear that they prioritize customer service and communication. We recently had a swarm of a stinging insect take shelter under our ground-level deck, and they researched, bought necessary equipment, and came up with the best way to treat it. Highly recommend!"
"We've been a customer of Better Termite and Pest Control since moving into our Reston townhouse over 40 years ago and only stopped service because we finally moved out of the neighborhood. They have always provided great service... Their regular inspections and preventive treatments avert pest problems and give great peace of mind. Cindy is especially helpful in scheduling visits and ensuring that the work is done properly. I highly recommend this business to anyone needing such services."
"I signed up for a plan and have been truly happy with it. This company is highly professional and very responsive. When I saw fence damage from a carpenter bee, they came out quickly to address the issue right away! Accolades to Cindy the dispatcher, and all the technicians from Juan to Daren to Fredie. I appreciate your service!"
"I've had nothing but great experiences for 3 years now. Their consistent, reliable service really stands out for me, and everyone is always kind and easy to talk to. I also like that they're a local, family-run business... Kamaal, who I'm gonna call my customer consultant, is fantastic—he really listens to my concerns and works with me to come up with the best plan for whatever pest issues I'm dealing with. He even keeps me updated on pest trends in my area so we can stay ahead of any problems."
"We've had a subscription service with this company for yrs, since moving into our current house, and realizing it was rather...spidery. But NO MORE! Better Termite uses pet-friendly, but not spider-friendly products, and we are now creepy crawly-free! Over the years, they've also tackled ants, bees, and HORRIBLE paper wasps! Further, Cindy and Darren are awesome to work with, and really know their stuff! I can't recommend this company enough."
"Better Termite has been keeping our house bug free for years with regular perimeter treatments. As a small, family owned business, they are able to personalize their approach based on your needs. It's clear that they prioritize customer service and communication. We recently had a swarm of a stinging insect take shelter under our ground-level deck, and they researched, bought necessary equipment, and came up with the best way to treat it. Highly recommend!"
"We've been a customer of Better Termite and Pest Control since moving into our Reston townhouse over 40 years ago and only stopped service because we finally moved out of the neighborhood. They have always provided great service... Their regular inspections and preventive treatments avert pest problems and give great peace of mind. Cindy is especially helpful in scheduling visits and ensuring that the work is done properly. I highly recommend this business to anyone needing such services."
"I signed up for a plan and have been truly happy with it. This company is highly professional and very responsive. When I saw fence damage from a carpenter bee, they came out quickly to address the issue right away! Accolades to Cindy the dispatcher, and all the technicians from Juan to Daren to Fredie. I appreciate your service!"
"I've had nothing but great experiences for 3 years now. Their consistent, reliable service really stands out for me, and everyone is always kind and easy to talk to. I also like that they're a local, family-run business... Kamaal, who I'm gonna call my customer consultant, is fantastic—he really listens to my concerns and works with me to come up with the best plan for whatever pest issues I'm dealing with. He even keeps me updated on pest trends in my area so we can stay ahead of any problems."
Our Ant Control Process
Thorough Inspection
Our technicians inspect your Arlington home's interior and exterior, identifying ant trails, nests, and entry points in walls, foundations, and around pipes.
Non-Repellent Treatment
We apply non-repellent insecticides that ants carry back to their colonies, eliminating the entire population rather than just repelling them.
Perimeter Protection
A protective barrier around your foundation prevents new ant colonies from entering your home.
Triannual Maintenance
Most ant treatments last around 90-120 days. Our triannual visits ensure continuous protection throughout the year.
Free Callbacks
If ants return between visits, we'll retreat your home at no extra cost. It's included with your plan.
Serving All Arlington Neighborhoods
From Clarendon to Crystal City, we're your local ant control experts