Ant Season in Keller: From Kitchen Trail to Outdoor Colony

Few sights frustrate homeowners faster than a line of ants marching across the countertop. In Keller, ant activity surges once soil temps warm in May. Whether it’s the sweet-smelling odorous house ant or the persistent fire ant mound along the walkway, indoor trails always trace back to a thriving outdoor colony. Here’s how these tiny scouts breach your kitchen, how we cut the problem at its source, and what you can do to keep the crumbs for yourself.

Meet Keller’s Most Common Ants

Species Key Traits Typical Nest Site
Odorous House Ant
Tiny, dark brown; “rotten coconut” smell when crushed
Shallow soil under stones, driveway edges
Tawny Crazy Ant
Erratic movement; large colonies
Mulch beds, electrical boxes
Imported Fire Ant
Red-brown; painful sting
Dome mounds in sunny lawn areas

How a Kitchen Trail Begins

  • Micro-Cracks & Utility Gaps –

    Thermoplast lines, cable entries, or a hairline gap under weather-stripping provide an easy doorway.

  • Scout Ants & Pheromone Pathways –

    A few explorers locate water or crumbs, then lay a chemical breadcrumb trail for hundreds of nest-mates.

  • Moisture Magnets –

    Dripping dishwashers, pet bowls, or a leaky faucet keep trails active long after food is gone.

Our Two-Step Professional Solution

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Outdoor Colony Knock-Out

  • Granular bait broadcast near moisture lines and landscaping for foragers.
  • Direct mound treatment for fire ants where mounds threaten kids or pets.
  • Perimeter micro-encapsulated spray along foundation seams, hose bibs, and weep holes.

Indoor Flush & Sanitation Guidance

  • Non-repellent gel baits placed directly on trails allow workers to ferry toxin back to the queen.
  • Light crack-and-crevice treatment halts immediate traffic without scattering the colony to new areas.
Ganns Ongoing Ant Monitoring - Mulch Traps

Ongoing Monitoring

Quarterly Perimeter Check – Small refill bait stations in mulch beds catch re-invading scouts.

Seasonal Advice – We flag irrigation leaks, mulch thickness, or shrub branches touching siding—simple tweaks that remove future bridges indoors.

Homeowner Quick-Checks

(Support, Not DIY)

Seal Sugar Sources – Store cereal, honey, and pet kibble in airtight bins.

Wipe Water Lines – Dry sinks overnight; empty pet bowls at bedtime.

Trim Touch Points – Keep vegetation at least six inches off exterior walls.

Ant Prevention - Sealing Kitchen Pantry Items

End the Ant Trail at the Source

A single trail might feel like “just a few ants,” but every crumb they collect strengthens the colony outside. Stop the cycle with Gann’s two-step ant program—indoor elimination plus outdoor colony control, tailored to Keller soil and micro-climates. Call now to keep ants where they belong: out in the yard, not in your pantry.

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We are here to answer your questions