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Ants: A Recent Job & Some Homeowner Tips

Category: Holiday

Published: 15 March 2026

By Rick, Owner, Ace Ventura Pest & Wildlife Control

What I Walked Into

March is when I start getting steady calls about ants here in Granite Bay. The weather warms up, people open their windows, and suddenly they notice a line of ants marching across the counter.

Earlier this month, a homeowner reached out after spotting a trail running from her kitchen sink to a small crack near the baseboard. She said it started with “just a few,” but by the next morning there were dozens. She wiped them up, but they kept coming back.

When I arrived, I followed the trail and saw exactly what she described — a steady stream moving in and out of a small gap along the wall. There were a few scattered around the dog bowl too, which told me they’d already found a food source.

The Problem

What most people don’t realize is that the ants you see are only a small part of the problem. The real issue is the colony hidden somewhere nearby — often outside along the foundation or even inside a wall void.

During my inspection, I checked along the exterior of the house and found a small mound tucked near the corner of the patio. There were also gaps in the weather stripping along the back door. Inside, I found a few moisture spots under the sink that likely attracted them in the first place.

Ants don’t just wander randomly. Once they find food or water, they leave a scent trail for the rest of the colony to follow. That’s why wiping them away doesn’t stop the problem. The trail stays active, and more ants show up.

The homeowner was frustrated because she felt like she was constantly cleaning. Every time she thought they were gone, they came back the next day. It wasn’t just annoying — it made the kitchen feel unsettled.

The Process

The first thing I did was identify the type of ant and locate the source of the colony. Treatment depends on that. In this case, they were Argentine ants, which are common around Granite Bay and known for forming large colonies.

I treated the exterior perimeter first, focusing on the foundation and the area where the mound was located. The goal is to stop them at the source rather than just chasing them inside. I also sealed up the small interior gap near the baseboard and adjusted the weather stripping on the back door.

Inside, I placed targeted bait in specific areas instead of spraying everywhere. Bait allows the ants to carry the treatment back to the colony, which helps eliminate the root of the problem. I explained to the homeowner that she might see a little more activity for a day or two while the bait worked its way through the colony. That’s normal.

I also addressed the moisture under the sink and suggested a quick plumbing check to prevent future attraction.

The Outcome

Within a few days, the ant trail slowed down and then stopped completely. When I checked back in, the homeowner told me she hadn’t seen a single line of ants across the counter since the treatment. She said she kept expecting them to show up again, especially in the morning, but they didn’t.

She mentioned that the kitchen finally felt normal again. No more wiping down the same spot three times a day or checking the dog bowl every time she walked past it. It wasn’t that the ants were causing major damage — it was the constant presence that bothered her. Every time she saw one, she wondered how many more were hiding nearby.

Once the colony was addressed properly, everything settled down. Catching it early made a big difference. If the ants had been left alone another few weeks, the colony could have expanded and started branching into other parts of the house. Spring is when they grow fast, so timing really matters.

"It's brighter than before!"

— Megan

DIY Advice

Before I left, I gave her a few simple things to stay on top of moving forward.

✔ Seal small cracks around baseboards and door frames

✔ Keep pet food picked up overnight

✔ Wipe down counters daily during warmer months

✔ Fix any small leaks under sinks

✔ Trim plants or shrubs that touch the house

I explained that ants are always looking for two things: food and moisture. If you take those away and limit entry points, you reduce the chances of another trail forming.

A week later, she told me she’d already sealed a couple of tiny gaps near the back door and had been more consistent about wiping down the counters at night. She said knowing what to watch for made her feel more in control if she ever noticed a stray ant again.

Professional Insight

Ant problems are common in spring around Granite Bay, especially once the weather starts warming up. At first, it might look like a few random ants. In reality, those ants are scouts sent out from a much larger colony.

You can handle small issues early by sealing gaps and staying on top of cleaning. But once a colony establishes itself near or inside the home, spraying the ants you see usually won’t solve it. Surface sprays might kill the ones on the counter, but they don’t reach the nest.

The key is finding the source and interrupting the trail properly. If ants keep returning after basic cleaning, that’s usually a sign the colony is still active nearby and needs a more targeted approach.