An ant exterminator costs $200 to $300 for a one-time visit, depending on the size of your home, the location and size of the infestation, the type of ants you have, and the treatment required to completely eliminate the colony. Mild infestations in easy-to-treat areas like a backyard are less expensive while larger infestations and harder-to-reach areas like attics and crawlspaces are more costly to treat.

Ants tend to return to their food source, so repeat treatments are common. Most pest control companies reward repeat business by offering discounted rates for monthly, quarterly, or annual contracts. You will save money and avoid the risk of a large invasion by having routine inspections and treatments as needed.

Ant exterminators are worth the price. While ants aren't as stubborn as some insects like bed bugs or termites, hiring an exterminator will save you time and prevent the risks of using strong chemicals on your own. While over-the-counter ant treatments seem cheap, repeat infestations are common and those products will add up quickly.

Additionally, professional exterminators offer guaranteed results and provide ongoing care to ensure your home is free of all types of pests, not just ants.

Carpenter ants are one of the more complicated and costly ant infestations to treat. When these ants build nests, they bore tunnels in wood which leaves visible holes and sawdust remains. If you see these signs, call a professional exterminator immediately before these ants cause major structural damage to your home.

An exterminator will first locate the nest. Often, they will use insecticide or ant baits designed specifically for carpenter ants for mild infestations. They also rely on dust material treatments, which flush out hidden ant nests. Perimeter or barrier treatments also keep carpenter ants from reinfesting the space.

Pest control companies use several different chemicals to treat ants in your home and yard, including:

• Boric acid is a natural insecticide for killing ants. The slow-acting poison is found in baits or dusts.
• Pyrethrins are a type of botanical insecticide derived from chrysanthemum flowers. The insecticide kills ants on contact.
• Permethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid, similar to pyrethrins, that kills ants on contact.
• Fipronil is a newer insecticide that is effective at killing ants systemically, meaning it is absorbed into the ant's body and kills it over time.
• Abamectin is a type of avermectin, a slow-acting poison that is commonly used in baits or dusts.
• Hydramethylnon is a type of hydrazone, another slow-acting poison used in baits or dusts.

These chemicals can be harmful to humans and pets. Hire a professional exterminator to ensure the safety of your family.

While most ants live outside in nests, they invade your home in search of a food source. If you see signs of ants, it is best to call a professional exterminator right away before a full invasion occurs. Here are a few common infestation signs to look for:

• You see a large number of ants in the yard, but also in the kitchen, bathroom, or other rooms of your home.
• You see ant trails. These trails of pheromones lead other ants to the food source.
• You see ant nests either inside or outside your home, which indicates a serious infestation.
• You see more pests other than ants. Some ant species, like carpenter ants, cause structural damage to your home leading to other pests like termites or carpenter bees.

If you are experiencing ants where they shouldn't be, call an exterminator right away. Here are some questions you should ask:

• What types of ants do you treat?
• How long have you been treating homes in this area?
• What is your experience with carpenter ants?
• What methods do you use to get rid of ants?
• Are your methods safe for my family and pets?
• How long will it take to get rid of the ants?
• What is your guarantee?
• How much will the treatments cost?
• Do you offer ongoing pest control services at a discount?
• Do you have a list of references I can see?

HomeGuide has many high-quality and experienced exterminators to choose from. To find a skilled exterminator near you, follow these recommendations.

• Hire only licensed, bonded, and insured ant exterminators with years of success treating ants.
• Look for highly rated and reviewed ant control specialists on HomeGuide and Google.
• Ask about free pest inspections and discounted ongoing treatment plans.
• Choose from ant exterminators that offer a guarantee of their work.
• Compare treatment methods and costs from several local ant exterminators.