How do I get rid of ants for good?

You have to reach the colony, not just the ants you see. That means correct species identification, baits the workers will actually carry back, and closing the moisture or food source that attracted them. Surface spraying alone usually just relocates the trail.

Are carpenter ants as damaging as termites?

They damage wood differently. Carpenter ants excavate galleries in wood that is already soft or moisture-damaged rather than eating it. The damage is slower than termite damage, but the moisture problem behind it still needs to be found.

Crawling pest

Ants Control in Elgin, Illinois

The #1 spring call in Elgin homes.

What they look like

Most household ants in northern Illinois are small and dark — pavement ants around 1/8 inch, odorous house ants slightly larger with a rotten-coconut smell when crushed. Carpenter ants are the big ones, up to 1/2 inch, usually black.

Signs of an infestation

Steady trails along counters, baseboards or the edge of a driveway
Small piles of fine soil at sidewalk cracks or foundation joints
Coarse sawdust-like shavings near window frames or sills (carpenter ants)
Winged ants indoors in spring, often mistaken for termites

Where they're found

Kitchens, bathrooms, around dishwashers and sinks, along foundation walls, under patio slabs and in damp wood around decks or roof leaks.

Why they show up

Ants come inside chasing moisture and food. A leaking trap, pet bowl, sticky recycling bin or a shrub touching siding is often all it takes to turn an outdoor colony into an indoor problem.

Seasonality in Illinois

Activity ramps up as soil warms in April and May, peaks through summer, and often surges again after heavy rain when colonies move to drier ground.

Prevention tips

Wipe trails with soapy water instead of spraying — it removes the scent path
Store sweets and pet food in sealed containers
Fix dripping fixtures and improve ventilation in damp basements
Trim shrubs and tree limbs so they don't touch siding or roofline
Seal gaps where pipes and wiring enter the house

When to call a professional

Retail sprays often scatter a colony into multiple satellite nests. If trails come back within a week, if you see winged ants indoors, or if you suspect carpenter ants in structural wood, get an inspection.

How ProGuard treats ants

ProGuard identifies the species, traces the trail to the nesting area, and treats with targeted baiting and perimeter work rather than broad indoor spraying.