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The Ultimate Guide to Rodent Control
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Licensed Technician
Spring brings homeowners to call about small red ants marching across counters. Since 2015, I’ve worked as a licensed technician in the DC area. I know how frustrating it is to see those tiny workers in your kitchen or bathroom.
Homeowners use “small red ants” for any reddish ant ⅛–¼ inch long. This umbrella term covers different species that look alike. Correct ID is key before picking a treatment.
These ants have polymorphic workers and build dome-shaped mounds with no central hole. They sting painfully and swarm when disturbed.
Often found under debris, this species forms hidden nests. They can pack a mild, painful sting.
Tiny and pale, these indoor ants trail near water and food. They feature a 12-segmented antenna with 3-segmented club and don’t sting humans.
These look reddish too but rarely bite hard. Acrobat ants raise a heart-shaped gaster, while pavement ants nest under concrete. Learn more in Kinds of Ants: Identifying Different Types in DC Metro.
Use clear tape or an alcohol vial to collect workers. You can send samples to VA Tech or UMD Extension labs for free ID.
Check size, color and waist nodes:
Indoor trails usually head to sinks, outlets or kitchen pantries (Pharaoh ants). Outdoor mounds appear in sunny turf or under foundations (fire ants).
Ants enter homes for food, water and shelter. Common attractions include:
To cut off their trail, check our tips in How To Keep Ants Away: Pro Techniques vs DIY Ant Control.
DIY bait or spray might break trails and split colonies. I’ve seen this make things worse. As a licensed technician, I target both visible ants and hidden nests.
Hiring a pro means:
For Pharaoh ants, we place non-repellent gels or boric acid baits near trails. This lets ants carry bait back to the queen.
Imported fire ants need a “two-step program”. First, broadcast bait. Then, follow up with mound drenches if activity persists.
We use:
Good sanitation and moisture fixes slow ant pressure:
We map every mound and trail, then log results in a 78-point home inspection.
Clear debris, fix irrigation leaks and improve sun exposure to break nesting spots.
Our IPM toolbox mixes baits, non-repellent sprays and spot drenching for lasting control.
All products we use are EPA approved and vetted by our internal research team. We avoid treatments near pollinator areas and water bodies.
Imported fire ants forage best when soil is 70–95°F, so spring and fall baiting works well. European fire ants peak in summer. Pharaoh ants stay active indoors year-round.
Call our licensed technicians directly for a quote and detailed plan. No phone trees, ever.
We apply crack-and-crevice and perimeter treatments that ants share, cutting the colony at its root.
Return visits every quarter keep ants away. If ants come back, we’ll retreat at no cost.
Our internal research team removed 9 harsh chemicals from our programs. We rely on products like Essentria, Alpine, Sentricon and borate-based solutions.
Remove mulch from foundations
More tips at How to Prevent Ants in Virginia.
Seasonal Maintenance Tips
Ready to get rid of small red ants for good? Call us at 703-683-2000 or email [email protected] for an estimate. Our licensed technicians are here to help.
Most homeowners see imported fire ants, European fire ants, pharaoh ants and native acrobat or pavement ants in the DC metro area.
Fire ants build soil mounds and sting. Pharaoh ants are smaller, trail indoors and lack a painful sting.
Imported and European fire ants can sting painfully. Pharaoh, acrobat and pavement ants can nip but not cause serious harm.
Boiling water, bleach, and gasoline may split colonies or harm your home. They rarely solve the problem.
Most treatments show results in 7–14 days, though full elimination can take 6–12 weeks for species like Pharaoh ants.
Ant plans generally start around $39 per month, plus a one-time setup fee. Final cost depends on infestation size.
Pharaoh ants seek moisture. Leaky pipes and damp sinks often attract indoor small red ants.
Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor species. Indoor species like Pharaoh ants need year-round baiting.
Feel free to call 703-683-2000 or email [email protected] with any questions or to schedule an inspection.
With five years of hands-on experience in the pest control industry, George Schulz is a registered technician with the Virginia Pest Management Association and a proud third-generation professional in a family business that’s been protecting homes for over 57 years. He manages and trains a team of service pros while also leading internal research efforts—recently spearheading a deep-dive review of thousands of documents on pest control materials to hand-pick the most kid and pet friendly, most effective solutions tailored specifically for homes in the DC metro area. Read his bio.
