Why do I suddenly have ants in my house?

Ants enter in response to food, moisture, or weather. Rain drives Argentine ants indoors. A dripping pipe, pet food left out, or a crumb trail under the fridge is enough to sustain a colony of thousands.

Why do ants keep coming back after I spray them?

Sprays kill only the foragers you see. The queen — who's underground producing hundreds of new workers — is untouched. Professional bait gets carried back and eliminates the colony from the inside out.

What kind of ants do I have in my Bay Area home?

Almost certainly Argentine ants — the dominant species across the Bay Area. Tiny, dark brown, and traveling in dense trails. Carpenter ants (large, black) and odorous house ants (smell like coconut when crushed) are also common.

Do carpenter ants destroy your house like termites?

They don't eat wood — they excavate it. Damage is slower than termites but very real. Carpenter ants typically signal a moisture problem in the framing. The moisture damage is often worse than the ants themselves.

What is the fastest way to get rid of ants?

Professional bait treatment. You'll see a reduction in 3–7 days and full colony elimination in 2–4 weeks. More ant activity right after baiting is normal — the bait is being carried back to the colony.

When is ant season in the Bay Area?

Year-round — but the worst waves come in January–March (rain drives them inside) and again in summer when the colony is at peak size. Quarterly treatment keeps populations from building between seasons.

Are ants dangerous to my family or home?

Most Bay Area ants aren't dangerous to people. Carpenter ants can cause structural damage over time. Fire ants — which can sting aggressively — have been spotted in scattered Bay Area locations but aren't widespread.

Is ant bait low-impact around kids and pets?

Yes. Professional bait is applied in tiny amounts inside wall voids and in locked bait stations — completely out of reach, and at concentrations far too low to affect mammals.

Say Goodbye to Ants for Good!

Name: ATCO Pest Control
Address: 200 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera, CA, 94925, US
Telephone: (833) 326-2826
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.3

Bay Area From $250 State Licensed Eco-Friendly

4.3 ★★★★ 240+ Google Reviews

4.5 ★★★★ 80+ Yelp Reviews

Diamond Certified Since 2009

Schedule Online (833) ECO-ATCO

Expert Ant Control in the Bay Area

ATCO eliminates ants at the source — guaranteed.

Common Bay Area Ants

Know your enemy. Tap any card to identify what you have.

Argentine Ant Most Common

Tap to identify

Argentine Ant

How to spot Tiny (1/16″), light brown, moves in wide foraging trails — hundreds at a time along baseboards and countertops.

Where found Follows plumbing and moisture; trails along walls, under sinks, and around dishwashers.

Eats Sweets, fruit juices, honeydew from aphids, and sugary kitchen spills.

Odorous House Ant

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Odorous House Ant

How to spot 1/16–1/8″, dark brown; crush one and it smells like rotten coconut — a definitive ID test.

Where found Kitchens and bathrooms near moisture; nests inside walls near heat sources and behind appliances.

Eats Sweets, fruit, syrup, dead insects, and honeydew from plant pests.

Carpenter Ant

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Carpenter Ant

How to spot Largest common ant (1/4–3/4″), solid black or dark reddish-black, smooth thorax. Most active after dark.

Where found Eaves, fence lines, moist wood piles, tree stumps, and decaying siding around your home.

Eats Doesn't eat wood — excavates it to nest. Forages for insects, sweets, and proteins at night.

Pavement Ant

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Pavement Ant

How to spot 1/8–1/4″, dark brown with fine lines on head; dirt mounds pushed up through cracks in concrete.

Where found Under driveways, slabs, and foundations; enter through expansion joints and foundation cracks.

Eats Nearly anything — grease, meat scraps, seeds, sweets, and pet food on kitchen or garage floors.

Pharaoh Ant

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Pharaoh Ant

How to spot Tiny (1/16″), yellowish to amber, nearly translucent. 2-node waist visible under magnification.

Where found Strictly indoors year-round — walls, baseboards, cabinets, and near warm appliances.

Eats Sweets, proteins, fatty foods; drawn to grease residue, syrup, and meat drippings.

Limited Time Offer

One Ant Is Never Just One Ant.

Argentine ants trail in by the thousands. Our targeted baiting and barrier treatments stop them at the colony — not just the counter.

Colony-targeting baits
Exterior perimeter protection
Pet and child safe options

Call us: (415) 742-2826 · Or use the coupon to schedule online.

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OFF

Initial Service

✄

Ant Control Services

Min. $250 required
1-Year Service Agreement required
Termite services excluded

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ATCO Pest Control — Bay Area

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Ready to solve your pest problem? State Licensed technicians · Eco-friendly treatments · Same-week appointments Save up to 15% — View Current Special Offers

Schedule a Consultation (833) 326-2826

Prepare for Your Appointment

Clear Counters of Food & Crumbs

Wipe down kitchen countertops and dining surfaces so your technician can spot ant trails and entry points.

Move Food Into Sealed Containers

Transfer open pantry items into airtight containers to remove the food sources attracting ants.

Pull Appliances Away From Walls

Move fridge, stove, and dishwasher a few inches out so your technician can inspect and treat behind them.

Trim Vegetation Touching the House

Cut back branches, shrubs, or vines contacting your exterior — ants use these as bridges into your home.

Note Where You've Seen Ant Trails

Jot down locations of ant activity — baseboards, windows, plumbing — to help your technician target treatment.

Pick Up Pet Dishes (Day–of)

Before we arrive, remove food and water bowls from floors so your technician can access and treat all ground-level areas without obstruction.

Your technician will guide you on arrival.

How We Work Every ATCO treatment follows our Detect · Inspect · Recommend · Treat process. Learn how it works

Ant Facts

Did You Know?

Tap any card — then decide if DIY is worth the risk.

700,000

Ants Per Colony

Tap to flip ↻

The Problem

DIY sprays kill 1%.
We eliminate the queen —
and the colony.

Fix It →

3 Days

To Infest a Kitchen

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The Risk

One scout reports back.
Thousands follow.
Every hour counts.

Act Now →

1 Queen

Controls Everything

Tap to flip ↻

The Solution

Sprays never reach her.
Our colony bait does.
Colony eliminated.

Book ATCO →

25%

Bay Area Homes Invaded

Tap to flip ↻

Your Home

Bay Area warmth keeps
colonies active year-round —
even inside your walls.

Protect It →

–

Sprays Reach the Nest

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The Truth

Store-bought sprays kill
scouts. The colony adapts,
re-routes, and grows.

Real Fix →

1 Visit

ATCO's Average Fix

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ATCO Guarantee

Colony-targeted baiting.
If ants return between visits,
we come back — free.

Schedule →

What You Can Do

Keep Surfaces Clean

Wipe counters, sweep floors, and clean crumbs immediately. Removing food traces breaks their scent-trail cycle.

Store Food in Sealed Containers

Transfer sugar, cereals, and pet food into airtight containers. Even the smallest opening invites scout ants.

Trace & Seal Entry Points

Follow ant trails to where they enter your home. Seal cracks around windows, doors, and pipes with caulk.

Use Natural Deterrents

Vinegar, lemon juice, or peppermint oil along entry points can temporarily disrupt scent trails.

Wipe Surfaces with Soapy Water

Dish soap and water destroys chemical scent trails. Wipe counters, windowsills, and baseboards regularly.

Trim Trees & Shrubs Away from Walls

Vegetation touching your home acts as a bridge. Keep branches trimmed 12+ inches from exterior walls and rooflines.

What to Avoid

Don't Spray Visible Ants

Spraying kills a tiny fraction. The colony adapts and reroutes scouts, making the problem harder to track.

Don't Ignore Small Trails

A few ants are scouts. If they find food, they recruit thousands. A minor trail can become a full infestation in days.

Don't Rely on Store-Bought Baits Alone

Workers often die before reaching the nest, so bait never reaches the queen. The colony survives and keeps growing.

Don't Leave Pet Food Out Overnight

Ongoing prevention: Pet food left overnight is a top ant attractant year-round. Establish the habit of picking up bowls after the last evening feeding and storing open bags in sealed canisters.

The Bottom Line: That's exactly what ATCO does — our State Licensed technicians locate and eliminate the source, not just the symptoms.

Schedule your ant inspection →

Say Goodbye to Ants for Good!

Expert Ant Control in the Bay Area