Indoor ant trails are best controlled with baits that workers carry back to the hidden colony, plus sealing entry points and removing food and moisture. For fire ants, UGA Extension recommends a two-step method: broadcast bait across the lawn, then treat individual mounds near high-traffic areas. Carpenter ants indoors often signal a moisture problem.
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Ants are one of the most frequent pest problems in Metro Atlanta, both inside the house and out in the yard. Several very different ants are common here, and the right approach depends on which one you have.
Common ants in Metro Atlanta
- Red imported fire ants. Established across most of Georgia. They build mounds of loose soil in sunny lawns and along driveways and sidewalks, and they sting aggressively when disturbed. Stings cause painful pustules and can trigger serious allergic reactions in some people.
- Argentine ants and odorous house ants. Small ants that form long trails into kitchens and bathrooms, especially after heavy rain or during dry spells. Odorous house ants give off a rotten-coconut smell when crushed.
- Carpenter ants. Large ants that nest in damp or damaged wood. They don't eat wood like termites, but they excavate it, and finding them indoors can point to a moisture problem.
Indoor ant control
Spraying the ants you can see usually doesn't solve the problem, because the colony and its queens stay hidden. Professionals typically:
- Identify the species and follow trails to find nests and entry points.
- Use baits that worker ants carry back to the colony.
- Treat the exterior perimeter and entry points.
- Point out moisture, gaps, and food sources that draw ants inside.
Some sprays can repel ants or split a colony into new nests, so tell the technician what you've already tried.
Fire ant control
Treating mounds one at a time often just moves the colony a few feet away. UGA Extension has long recommended a two-step approach for lawns: a broadcast bait across the yard, which foraging ants carry to colonies you can't see, followed by treating individual mounds that are close to where people walk and play. Baits work best when applied according to the label, in dry weather when ants are actively foraging. Many homeowners need treatment more than once a year, since new colonies move in from surrounding areas.
Fire ant safety
- Teach kids to recognize and avoid mounds.
- Wear shoes and gloves when gardening or mowing near mounds.
- If stung, wash the area and avoid breaking the pustules to reduce infection risk.
- Call 911 for any signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or dizziness.
- Don't use gasoline or other improvised chemicals on mounds; it's dangerous and harms the soil.
Keep ants out
- Wipe up spills and store sweets and pet food in sealed containers.
- Seal cracks around windows, doors, and utility lines.
- Trim branches and shrubs touching the house.
- Fix leaks and replace water-damaged wood, which attracts carpenter ants.
Dealing with ants inside or out? Request a pest control company and describe what kind of ants you're seeing.
Frequently asked questions
Why do ants come inside after it rains?
Heavy rain can flood outdoor nests and drive ants to look for drier, higher ground, and dry spells can send them searching for water. Both can bring trails into kitchens and bathrooms.
Why do fire ant mounds keep coming back?
Treating one mound often moves the colony a short distance, and new colonies move in from neighboring land. Broadcast baits reach colonies you can't see, and many yards need treatment more than once a year.
Are carpenter ants as bad as termites?
Carpenter ants excavate wood to nest rather than eating it, and their damage is usually slower. They do point to damp or damaged wood that should be found and fixed.