Why do ants keep coming into my house?
Ants come in for food, water and shelter. UC IPM says they often show up suddenly when outdoor food sources dry up, when weather turns hot and dry, or when soil floods. Crumbs, pet food, sweet spills, leaky faucets and sprinkler heads all draw them.
Plants matter too. Aphids, scales, mealybugs and whiteflies on shrubs next to the house produce honeydew that ants farm. UC IPM recommends keeping plants, grass and mulch at least a foot from the foundation and managing those honeydew insects.
What kinds of ants are in Sacramento homes?
The Argentine ant is the most common ant in and around California homes and gardens, according to UC IPM. Its nests are shallow, and colonies link up into one huge supercolony with many queens, which is why killing the ants you see doesn't end the problem.
Other ants that bother California homes include odorous house ants, pavement ants, thief ants, southern fire ants and Pharaoh ants. Carpenter ants are different: they hollow out wood to nest and can cause real damage. California rules allow Branch 2 or Branch 3 companies to treat carpenter ants, and a termite inspector who finds them must report it.
How do I get rid of ants myself?
Start with these UC IPM steps before buying sprays.
- Wipe up trails with soapy water to remove the scent trail
- Find where they enter and seal it with caulk
- Store food in sealed containers, not bags or open boxes
- Fix leaky faucets and sprinkler heads
- Take infested potted plants outside
- Place ant baits outdoors near trails and nest openings
- For severe Argentine ant problems, use refillable stations with 0.5% to 1% liquid borate in sugar water
Why don't ant sprays work?
Sprays kill the ants you see, not the colony. UC IPM says pesticide sprays give only temporary control and may not be safe to use indoors. Baits work because the active ingredient is slow; workers carry it back and share it with the colony, including queens. Expect 5 to 10 days before you see fewer ants.
Outdoor sprays also cause harm. UC IPM advises against spraying pyrethroids such as bifenthrin and cypermethrin outdoors, especially on driveways, sidewalks and foundations, because they wash into storm drains and pollute waterways.
When should you call an exterminator for ants?
Call when ants keep returning after a couple of weeks of baiting and sealing, when they're nesting inside walls or around water heaters, or when you see sawdust-like debris that could mean carpenter ants. A professional can identify the species, which matters because different ants prefer sweet, protein or greasy baits.
UC IPM's advice for hiring: ask the company to use baits and spot treatments rather than perimeter treatments or monthly sprays.
- Which ant species is it?
- Will you use baits, and where will you place them?
- Do you plan any outdoor spraying, and with what product?
- Is a follow-up visit included if ants come back?
| What you see | What it usually means | First step |
|---|---|---|
| Trail across the kitchen counter | Foragers following a scent trail to food | Wipe with soapy water, find and caulk the entry |
| Ants at the bathroom sink | Looking for water, especially in hot, dry weather | Fix drips; bait outdoors near the trail |
| Ants climbing a shrub by the door | Tending aphids or scale for honeydew | Manage the insects; trim plants away from walls |
| Ants in a potted plant | A nest in the pot | Move it outside and treat the pot |
| Sawdust-like debris near wood | Possible carpenter ants | Call a pest control company to inspect |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does an ant exterminator cost?
How long do ant baits take to work?
Do I need monthly pest control for ants?
Sources
- Pest Notes: Ants (Publication 7411) — UC Statewide IPM Program
- Structural Pest Control Act and Rules and Regulations (Bus. & Prof. Code §§8505, 8516, 8538, 8550, 8555; 16 CCR §§1984, 1990), updated January 2026 — California Structural Pest Control Board
- Ant Exterminator Cost (updated August 19, 2022) — Fixr
- How Much Does Pest Control Cost? (2026 Pricing), updated 03/12/2026 — This Old House