How Much Does It Cost to Exterminate Ants?

For many people, there is no worse sign of a dirty or unkept home than the infiltration of pests such as ants. If you find ants indoors, you’ll also likely find them outside as well. For the majority of ants, this typically isn’t a problem, but if you have fire ants or carpenter ants you may want to deal with the nests or mounds as well to prevent them from getting indoors.

The cost to exterminate ants ranges between $175 and $325, with the average homeowner spending $250 on general ant treatment excluding fire and carpenter ants of a 3,000 sq.ft. house.

Pest Control for Ants

Ant Extermination Cost per Square Foot

Some professional ant exterminators will charge extermination per square foot. The expert will need to use more labor and chemicals in larger houses or properties. Thus, the extermination cost will increase with an increase in property size.

Ant Extermination Cost by Type of Ant

There are numerous species of ants in the world, but most people living in the US will see a few of the more common ones regularly. No ant is good to have indoors, but a few are more harmless than others; identifying which ant you have will help you get the most effective treatment to be rid of them:

Rover Ant Control

Rover ants are small ants common in the southern states of the US. They are about 1/16-inch in size. The color of these ants ranges from yellow to black. Their worker ants have nine segments. It costs about $150 to exterminate rover ants.

Sugar Ant Control

Very small black ants, 1/16 inch in size. They can be found throughout the US, and are most common in July and August. It costs about $150 to get rid of sugar ants.

Field Ant Control

Field ants are large black ants. They are similar to carpenter ants, but the lower side of the thorax is rough and has a depression. Field ants are about ⅕ to ⅜ inches in size. These are predatory ants and prey on caterpillars and other ants. They also build mounds and have a sweet tooth. It may cost you about $150 to get rid of field ants.

Grease Ant Control

Also called thief ants, they can be found throughout the US, and are very small shiny ants, 1/16-inch in size, with two distinct segments. You may have to part with $160 for grease ants control.

Acrobat Ant Control

Acrobat ants nest in soft soil, and they indicate a moisture problem like leaks in your home. They also love sugar and its products. Acrobat ants size ranges from 1/16th to ⅛th an inch. Winged acrobat ants called swarmers are common from June through fall all over from the north to the south coasts. It could cost about $200 to get rid of acrobat ants.

Citronella Ant Control

These are large yellow ants. Their worker ants are about 1/8-inches long, and their reproductives are twice the size. It may cost you about $200 to exterminate citronella ants.

Argentine Ants Control

Argentine ants are commonly found in southern US states. Their color is light brown to black, and they are about ⅓-inch long. When crushed, these ants give off a musty odor. You should budget about $200 for professional Argentine ant control services.

Pharaoh Ant Control

Pharaoh ants are small ants usually found in or around the human habitat. They are about 1/16 inches in size and have colors varying from yellow, yellow-brown, and light red. Pharaoh ants are a nuisance in buildings and also contaminate food and medicine processing. It costs about $200 to control pharaoh ants.

Moisture Ant Control

Moisture ant is a species name for ants that reside in rotten wood. It includes ants like citronella ants. The size of these ants ranges from 1/8-inch. Professionals could charge about $200 to get rid of moisture ants.

Pavement Ant Control

Pavement ants are more common in towns and cities. These ants like to nest under concrete sidewalks, rocks, or asphalt ¹ paving. There are small mounds of soil around the nests of pavement ants. They are small ants with a size of about ⅛ inch. Pavement ants are very fond of greasy food. You should budget about $250 to eliminate a pavement ant infestation.

Odorous House Ant Control

Brown and black ants about ⅛-inch long. They give off an unpleasant rotten coconut odor when crushed. This type of ant can be found throughout the US but is less common in desert areas. It costs about $250 to exterminate odorous ants professionally.

Allegheny Mound Ant Control

These are large ants that build large mounds of about 1ft. to 3 ft. in height. The ants are about ⅛ to ¼ inches long. Allegheny mound ants have red tail ends, and front ends are either black or reddish-brown. Professional examination on average costs $250.

Ghost Ant Control

Ghost ants are very small and measure about 1/16-inch. They have pale gaster and quick movements, which makes them hard to see. They can be found both inside and outside your house on the soil, wood, or plant cavities. When crushed, these ants produce a pungent smell similar to rotten coconuts. It may cost you about $250 to exterminate ghost ants.

Fire Ant Control

Although these ants can be found throughout the US, they are more common in the southern states. These ants are usually red, but may be brown and have a darker abdomen. Fire ants are known to sting. It costs about $300 to exterminate them.

Harvester Ant Control

Harvester ants are large ants, ¼-inch to ½-inch in size. Their color ranges from red to brown. These ants form mounds on patches with no vegetation for a diameter of 1 meter ² to 3 meters. They are found all over the US. You may have to pay about $300 to exterminate harvester ants.

Carpenter Ant Control

These ants can be winged and unwinged ants of varying size, typically black, and can be found throughout the US, but most common in wooded, rural areas. Carpenter ants do not sting. However, they are the most expensive to control as they can come back. It will cost you about $500.

Ant Extermination Prices by Location

Some professionals will charge extermination costs based on the nest or infestation location. Some ants will infest the kitchen; others like moisture ants can infest the bathroom and more. Each of the locations is unique, based on furniture and accessibility.

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Ants in Kitchen

Ants will infest your kitchen because it provides a source of food and water. Examples of ants you will find in the kitchen include pharaoh, odorous, and acrobat ants. Odorous ants will give a pungent smell and make your kitchen uncomfortable. The cost of the extermination of ants in the kitchen will depend on the kitchen size and the severity of the infestation. Kitchen ants are usually easy to treat with a minimal cost for baiting and trapping. It should generally cost you between $80 to $300.

Ants in Pantry

The pantry is a good source of food for ants. However, you can prevent infestation by adequately storing and sealing your foodstuffs. The ant control cost will depend on the size of the infestation and types of ants. Ants in the pantry cost the same estimated price as kitchen ants with baits used to eliminate the pest. Extermination of ants in the pantry should cost between $80 to $300.

Ants in Carpet

You could have an infestation if you notice some ants in your carpet. A colony of ants could nest under your carpet if you have any leaks or decaying wood. Food crumbs also attract ants to your carpet. It is advisable to get maintenance for leaks and rotting wood, and remove crumbs. Cost However, it costs between $100 to $300 for ant removal under the carpet. The cost includes lifting up the carpet to apply pesticide treatments beneath the flooring.

Ants in Plant Pots

Ants can also get food and shelter from plant pots. Pests that suck sap from your plants usually attract these ants because of the sugary sap they leave behind or have in their bodies. The ants could be nesting in your yard or home. Treating the actual plants with a repellent is the least expensive way to remove ants from potted plants. You will pay about $100 to $350 to exterminate ants in plant pots or the surrounding areas.

Ants in Walls

Numerous types of ants nest in walls. Examples include carpenter ants, acrobat ants, pharaoh ants, argentine ants, and odorous ants. You can notice ants in walls via hollow sounds if you tap on the walls, visible ant trails, sound of activity within the walls, and ants coming out of sockets. The cost of ant extermination in walls depends on the level of infestation and type of ants, but most contractors use bait to lure out the ants to bring back a poisonous agent to the queen. Cost may increase if any type of holes need to be drilled to access the ants’ nesting grounds. It will generally cost you between $100 to $500.

Ants in Lawn Removal

Ants destroy grass routes and cause dead patches of grass to appear on your lawn. They also build anthills in the grass, and people can easily trip on them. On the other hand, they also prey on larvae and other pests. A professional can effectively and safely control ants in lawn removal. Ant pesticides are a standard treatment that could be applied with a spreader as part of your lawn care schedule. It may cost between $100 to $500 removal of ants in the lawn.

Ants in Bathroom

Carpenter ants are attracted to the moisture from the bathroom and prefer nests in decaying wood. In many cases, people will need ant control in bathroom walls. Professionals will charge between $100 to $600. Carpenter ants usually come back so you may schedule multiple visits, especially on large properties. Cost will also be affected if any holes need to be drilled into the walls to apply the treatments.

Ants in Garage

Ants have a tendency to nest in garages in search of food and shelter. Carpenter ants living in garages are common, and they are known to damage wood. Extra labor may be necessary to access the ants nest if your garage has a lot of things. It may cost you around $100 to $600 to remove ants in the garage. To prevent future infestations, make any roof and floor repairs since these are both possible entry points for ants.

Ants Coming in Through Window Frame

Ants coming in through window frames are usually on a food scent trail. It also means that they are nesting nearby either inside or outside your house. It can cost between $125 to $400 to get rid of ants coming in through window frames. Cost could be adjusted by the height and location of the window frames and the number of frames needing pesticide treatments. Repairs may need to be made to stop ants from returning such as caulking ³ the frame. If carpenter ants damaged the wood frame, it may need to be replaced completely.

Ants in Yard Control

Ants in the garden stay for the food and shelter. They usually help your garden with pollination and pest control. However, they can still be a nuisance and cause damage. They will build mounds and also move aphids to the garden. Pest control companies may adjust cost on how easily accessible the treatment area within your garden. You may also have to pay for any replanting post-treatment. The ant control cost for garden infestations is between $150 to $300.

Ants in Basement

You can easily sight ants in the basement, especially during winter. Their presence may be a sign of infestation in the basement or any other part of the house. The average cost of removal of ants in the basement is $150 to $500. Consideration should also be given to sealing any holes or cracks in the basement walls since the ants could be entering the home through these points.

Ants in Attic Insulation

Carpenter ants may nest in attic insulation if it is damaged because it provides moisture. On the other hand, they can still build a satellite nest if your insulation is working correctly. Either way, you may pay between $150 to $600 to exterminate ants in attic insulation. Since ants can chew through insulation, you may need to replace sections inside the attic after ants have been eradicated.

Ants Under House Foundation

Ants nesting under house foundation are usually pavement ants. Pavement ants like to be under rocks and slabs. Thus, it can easily access and nest under the foundation. A major sign of pavement ant infestation is some soil on the entrance of cracks and holes. It costs about $175 to $500 to exterminate pavement ants. Pesticide treatments are ineffective at reaching ants under a foundation, so baits must be used instead.

Ants in Bedroom

Ants in the bedroom are a nuisance. They usually nest in clothes and other areas like behind furniture. Bedrooms built next to bathrooms can also get ants because they could attract species that prefer cool damp wood. Since there are many small crevices for ants to hide within a bedroom, furniture may need to be moved as well as baseboards removed, which could impact cost. The price for pest control for ants in the bedroom is about $200 to $500.

Ant Extermination Cost by Method

The type of extermination method that you or your exterminator will use is largely based on the type of ant and where the infestation is located. A thorough cleaning, keeping food sealed up and shut away, and sealing up any cracks in your home are all necessary to avoid the ants returning after they have been killed:

Ant Repellent

Ant repellents are a form of pesticide used to get them away from your home without exterminating the bugs. The idea is to make the area unattractive to the ant as a way to keep them from nesting in your home or garden. Aerosol sprays, gels, and powders are examples of pesticides that can be formulated to repel ants. On average, you’ll pay around $100 for a professional to treat a defined area of your home with a repellent.

Ant Mound Treatment

This is one of the most effective methods of controlling fire ants. Using the mound control method, your exterminator will drill into the mound, then apply a chemical powder that will eliminate the queen and colony inside. It is very time consuming and difficult to ensure you got all the mounds. This method is usually used in conjunction with other interior methods. The cost for this method is $5 per mound with an average total treatment cost of $125.

Ant Bait

One interior control method involves leaving poisoned bait in the areas of your home. The ants are most likely to use entering and exiting. The ants carry the bait back to their nests, where it can help to kill not only the carriers but the other ants as well. It is effective at controlling most types of ants. Bear in mind that this method can take up to 7 days to work, and must frequently repeat to prevent reinfestation. Expect to pay $150 for this method.

Two-Step Method

The two-step method involves both mound control and some kind of either spray or poisoned bait to both control the colonies and eradicate the ants inside at the same time. It is very effective at controlling fire ants, but it may still miss some other types. The average cost of this method is upwards of $750.

Ant Extermination Cost by Level of Infestation

The cost of ant extermination can also depend on the level of ant infestation. The level of infestation will determine how much labor and expertise are required, the method, and the duration of extermination. A given level of ant infestation depends on how long the ants have infested your property.

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Small Ant Infestation

A small ant infestation is an infestation that has recently started. The ants will be looking to grow their colony, and you can spot a few ants. Moreover, the signs of infestation will be small and harder to notice. Controlling an ant infestation using baits or pesticides will cost you about $250.

Medium Ant Infestation

A medium ant infestation is an infestation with a growing colony of ants. More ants are roaming around, and you can notice some frass on cracks. A medium ant infestation could cost you about $350 for treatment areas under 3,500 square feet using baits or pesticides.

Large Ant Infestation

A large infestation is a nuisance. The ants are more daring and highly noticeable. For example, there will be more grass and holes on wood. Moreover, you will notice mounds in the case of ants like harvester ants. A large ant infestation costs about $500. The cost can increase if you need multiple pest control visits by a professional. Expect to pay a minimum of $75 to $100 per follow-up visit. The price may decrease if you enter into a routine pest control service contract with the provider.

Severe Ant Infestation

At this level, the ant infestation becomes a menace. There are more ants in areas like the kitchen, walls, on seats, and more. The colony is big, and the workers need to be more active in finding food. A severe ant infestation could cost you about $1,000 for professional services, especially if you need the two step method for removal..

Ant Exterminator Cost

A typical visit from an exterminator will last one to two hours and will cost from $150 to $1,000 for the treatment, depending on the type of ant. You may require more than a one-time visit, and your exterminator may recommend the services of a handyman at a rate of $60 to $110 an hour to seal up any cracks in or around your home where ants are getting in.

If you have a serious problem with ants, you may require monthly treatments. This may include any of the other methods done on a monthly or quarterly basis to control the ant population. It effectively treats ongoing problems but does not work on carpenter or fire ants. Expect to pay $1,080 for initial treatment followed by $30 monthly, $440/year.

Ant Fumigation Cost

Ant fumigation is possible but should be the very last option to get rid of ants. You can request ant fumigation on the severest of cases. However, even then, there are effective alternatives like pest control or extermination. The difference between pest control and fumigation is that fumigation entails the use of fumigant gas or chemicals that release fumigant gas. Pest control, on the other hand, entails prevention, mound control, and use of bait.

Fumigation generally costs more than pest control. Professionals will charge around $160 for pest control on a 2,000 sq.ft. property. However, fumigation will cost about $1,500 for the same size property. Moreover, you will have to leave the house for three days to a week for fumigation and aeration to take place. On the other hand, you can stay in the house during ant extermination. You may need to follow up on extermination services, but you will not have to leave your house like with fumigation.

Fumigation results usually last for two to four years before you need a follow-up. However, in ant extermination, you may need quarterly follow-up services depending on the severity of your ant infestation.

All About Ants

Ants are a common pest that can be found in numerous homes and buildings - even those that are clean and sanitary. They are typically found near sources of food. For the majority of the ants, you’ll find indoors, this means on counters, on the floor beneath tables and chairs, inside cabinets, and anywhere food crumbs may typically be dropped.

Carpenter ants may also be found inside your window casings, baseboards, attic, and any other areas where there is both abundant wood and easy access from the outdoors. Outdoor ants usually build a mound in the field or your yard.

There are worker ants and reproductive ants in a colony. Reproductive ants include the queen and male ants. It is usually hard to spot the queen as it stays in the nest for most of the time. The worker ants are the ones that cause nuisance and damage as they look for food and build the colony nest.

Are Ants Dangerous

Ants are attracted by things such as warmth, food particles, and in the case of carpenter ants, even your home’s structure. Any ant can bite, and while they don’t carry diseases, they can contaminate food, and, according to the CDC, some species of fire ant can be dangerous for young children and the elderly. Those with health issues as their stings can be painful or cause negative reactions. Ants can also impact your garden, decrease the amount of wildlife nearby, and in the case of carpenter ants may even do severe damage to your home.

Odorous ants will affect the scent of your home when they infest the surrounding area and especially inside it. They will excrete a nasty odor when they are threatened or crushed. Furthermore, odorous ants infest food and contaminate it. They carry harmful bacteria such as salmonella and more. According to the University of California, these bacteria can be transferred through food or an open wound to humans through certain species of ants. However, the risk is relatively low, with the exception of ants found in developing countries.

Can Ants Damage Your Home?

Ants can cause damage to your home. The type of damage usually depends on the type of ant. However, nuisance is a common factor for all ants in your home. For example, pavement ants have sheer numbers and crawl onto food, counters, and other common areas in our home.

Pavement and carpenter ants prefer to stay outside and are less likely to infest food compared to odorous ants. However, carpenter ants do cause structural damage to your home—the tunnel through wood to establish their nests. Carpenter ants prefer cool areas and decaying wood. You can find them in bathrooms, under kitchen sinks and other areas. They can cause major structural damage to your home, but that will take years.

Signs of Ant Infestation

There are multiple signs of ant infestation. The most basic sign is sighting worker ants in your house. They could be on the sink looking for water, in the garbage, pantry, or on dirty dishes looking for food.

However, ants sighting also depends on the time of day and season. In warm weather like summer, the ants are most active after dark. Ants are inactive in cool weather except when they nest in a heated part of the house. In spring or early summer, homeowners can spot swarmers around the house or inside. The swarmers inside the house usually congregate on the windows.

Homeowners also spot frass near wood with an infestation. The frass looks like sawdust, but it is very fibrous and has ant fragments. If the ants infest decayed wood, the frass will be darker, and the fragments will have a square shape. Frass can be found in areas like attics, basements, dark closets, under porches, and other places.

Moreover, with minimum background noise, people can hear gnawing or rustling sounds on the wood where ants are nesting. Another sign of ant infestation is failure of wood after excessive stress like a wind storm, moving heavy furniture, or accumulation of heavy snow on the roof.

How to Prevent Ants

In many cases, simply eradicating the existing ants is not enough to stop them from coming back; you also need to do some kind of preventative control. When an ant enters your home for the first time, it’s looking for food. If it finds some, it leaves an invisible trail from the food source back to its colony for other ants to follow. Ants can enter through very small cracks and crevices as well, so it’s important not just to kill the ants currently in your home, but to eradicate their trail and seal up any cracks or crevices with caulk ³ to ensure they cannot re-enter.

• Ensure you keep your kitchen extra clean, and ants will lack food and shelter.
• Dirty dishes are ant bait. Clean them immediately after use or rinse them and immerse them in soapy water.
• Use soapy water to mop food spills and remove crumbs.
• Take out the garbage often.
• Seal all the kitchen containers tightly.
• Cover all jars and containers and store them appropriately.
• Fix all leaks and replace damp wood.
• Sweep up crumbs in a timely way
• Seal up any cracks in your foundation or around windows and doorways to prevent the ants from entering
• Kill any large colonies of ants or large mounds on your property

Termite Extermination vs. Ant Extermination Cost

If you find evidence that insects have been eating the wood in your home, you may not be able to tell at first glance if they are ants or termites. Both will wreck havoc on your home, but in very different ways. Termites actually ingest the wood, while the ants tunnel through it. To tell the difference, take a look at the damaged area. A termite is a messy pest, leaving behind a lot of soil and debris in its wake; an ant is clean and will leave behind neat tunnels and passages through your wood. Both should be treated immediately to prevent future damage.

There is also a difference in the extermination methods and the cost of extermination for termites and ants. Professional ant exterminators will use approaches like mound control, poisoned bait, and chemical spray treatment. On the other hand, professional termite extermination methods include baiting, liquid termiticide, Micro treatment, heat foam sprays, and fumigation.

The only similarity is the use of poisoned bait, which the pests carry back to their colonies to cause extermination.

Generally, it is more expensive to exterminate termites than ants. The average cost of termite extermination ranges between $600 to $2,400, while the average cost of ant extermination is $150 to $1,000.

One Time Ant Treatment vs. Contract-based Ant Treatment

A one-time treatment means they will only offer their services once. The cost of this kind of treatment ranges from $90 to $250. Some factors will determine the cost, for example, types of ants, size of the property, and severity of infestation.

Contract-based ant treatment services mean that the professionals will offer scheduled recurring ant treatment services. It could be monthly or quarterly. They charge around $40 to $45 per month and $100 to $300 for quarterly contract-based ant treatment.

Professionals will normally recommend one-time ant treatment for a small ant infestation, or extermination on small properties. They will recommend a contract based ant treatment for a severe, recurring ant infestation, or large properties.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

General Pest Control Treatment

A general pest treatment involves some kind of chemical spray which kills not only most types of ants but other types of insects nearby. Usually, your foundation and other typical areas of entry are sprayed. However, it does not work on carpenter or fire ants and does not stop them from coming back. You should pay $250 for general pest treatment.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Travel Fees. When hiring contractors, you need to consider the cost of travel. Most service providers will add a travel fee if they perform extermination outside their geographical scope of operations. Travel fees usually include fuel, transportation, and employee work time costs. Travel fees ultimately depend on your location.
• Green Treatment. Many exterminators today recommend or use “green” or non-toxic pesticides to control the ants. These are particularly important if you have children or pets in your home. Typically there is no additional cost, as most exterminators have already made the switch.
• DIY. You may want to try getting the infestation under control yourself. There are numerous DIY methods available, many of which cost significantly less than professional treatment. These include cleaning with vinegar or sprinkling cayenne pepper along the cracks and edges of rooms. Keep in mind that these methods may not prevent reinfestation if not used continuously, particularly during the early summer months.
• Guarantees. Few exterminators offer guarantees for getting rid of ants. If you have a severe infestation, your best bet may be the two-step method followed by monthly maintenance to help ensure the ants do not return.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Asphalt: A viscous, black mixture of hydrocarbons often used for roofing and waterproofing. It is also used in asphalt for paving roads

² Meter: A device that measures the energy used by a home

³ Caulking: A chemical sealant used to fill in and seal gaps where two materials join, for example, the tub and tile, to create a watertight and airtight seal. The term "caulking" is also used to refer to the process of applying this type of sealant