Revised 6/12/19

 

With ants being the number one nuisance pest in the U.S., ant control is now more important than ever! There are more than 700 different ant species found in the U.S. – although only about 25 species commonly infest homes. Ants are social insects that typically live in underground colonies, made up of workers and at least one queen. Ants will eat practically any kind of food, but are especially attracted to sugars and proteins.

 

Ant control in a structure is often attempted as a do-it-yourself project. This approach may work for small infestations but left untreated, ants can take over that structure.

 

Household ant problems often start outdoors where landscaping, cracks, and gaps attract these pests and then provide entry inside. A-1 has an ant control program designed to manage ant colonies inside and outside the structure. It provides an intensive initial service using a combination of surface treatments, baits and pest proofing to bring the ant problem under control.

 

Encourage the customer to keep food in sealed containers – removing the food source for ants and other insects. Ants look for moisture, so customers should be sure to keep cracks and crevices caulked. Impress upon customers to keep areas like bathrooms as dry as possible following showers. Ant colonies send out scouting ants to conduct reconnaissance in search for food and water. Other ants from the colony are led to the food and water sources by following pheromone trails left behind by the scouts. Using hot, soapy water to clean up after the ants will remove the pheromone trails.

 

The Ant Cleanout starts by doing a complete and thorough walk-through inspection, ensuring that all birds and birdcages are removed, ensuring that any fish tank recirculating pump is turned off and that all fish and reptile tanks are covered. Inside, treat along windowsills, baseboards, doorframes, underneath sinks, in between any appliances, and in other areas dictated below. Outside, treat along the perimeter of the home, and around windows, doors, cracks and crevices.

 

The Ant Cleanout is an initial treatment used to create a hygienic and pest free environment, and forms the basis for future Home Shield Service visits. During the Cleanout, the main focus lies on the elimination of existing ant populations. But if routinely treated, it also provides a continuous protective barrier against these pests – it helps keep them from coming back since the majority of them come from the outside.

 

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6 STEPS OF SERVICE

 

Following the 6 Steps of Service:

• Meet the homeowner or tenant and listen to any concerns.

• Inform the customer of your general inspection and treatment plans.

• Let them know what you expect to be treating for and what the scope of services moving forward will include.

• Explain what they can expect from the treatment.

 

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SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS

 

Inspection:

• Inspect the entire inside, including attics and basements, looking for harborage areas and insect access points.

• Inspect any areas that could provide conducive conditions to insect activity.

• Determine where the ants are entering the structure and why they may be doing so.

• Inspect all exterior areas of the structure, including crawlspaces, exterior foundations, soffits, etc.

• Identify or verify the pest ant that has the customer concerned to determine the treatment method and the material to be used.

 

Approved Product List:

• Inside treatment (B&G): Suspend; Tempo; Temprid (sometimes); Phantom

• Baiting treatment: MaxForce Ant Bait; Advion Ant Bait

• Outside treatment (back-pack): Termidor

 

Baiting:

• Provide a baiting treatment inside and outside the cabinetry in the kitchen and bathrooms, around installed dishwashers and where ant activity exists (small bait placements to be positioned in out-of-the-way locations as required).

• Place stand-alone bait stations as required, such as in wet or dusty areas to protect the bait, or in areas hard to reach with the bait tube.

• Apply bait to any accessible wall void.

• Bait voids under sinks and plumbing line penetration points.

 

Inside Treatment:

• Start at the main door and move to the right (or left) with B&G. Treat entrance ways and other critical points – base boards either side of the doors for 10 feet, and cracks & crevices found around windows and door frames (be careful not to spray windows).

• Kitchen area – treat base boards, pull out bottom of stove, treat behind refrigerator, open cabinets below sink and visually inspect and treat as required.

• Continue around in the same direction – do not treat the entire base board but visually inspect.

• Bathrooms – treat all baseboards as discussed above, treat under sinks and inside cabinets as necessary.

• Continue in the same direction until back to main door.

• Basements – treat all baseboards and ceiling joists if exposed. If a finished basement, treat same as the main floor.

• Upstairs – treat all finished upper floors same as the main floor.

• Garages – web all corners and ceiling lines. Treat all baseboards areas as discussed above and treat ceiling as required with hand sprayer.

• Treat all decks and porches only accessible from the inside.

 

Outside Treatment:

• Web all entry ways and areas close to entrances, as well as all other visible webs on the first level, including windows. Treat webber with dust as listed above.

• Examine and remove all wasp, mud dauber and other pest nests on exterior of structure (where reachable).

• Seal all small entry ways for pests into the structure (up to 4-inch holes).

• Treat with hand or back-pack sprayer all windows and door entrances, and ceiling areas of porches where dust is not applied.

• With back-pack sprayer, treat outside of the structure with a band appropriate with label instructions (typically 1 foot up and 2 feet out).

• Treat entry ways where plumbing and electrical enter the structure.

 

Other Notes:

• Inform the customer:

  • Keep food in sealed containers.

  • Reduce moisture sources – seal all cracks and crevices

  • Keep areas like bathrooms as dry as possible following showers.

• Wear long sleeves and a respirator on windy days.

• While providing treatment, examine for wasps, termites and other pests living outside to recommend other A-1 services.

 

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6 STEPS OF SERVICE (continued)

 

Continuing to follow the 6 Steps of Service:

• Let the customer know what was found and what was done. If the customer is not available, leave a “Door Hanger” with written notes specifying what was found, what was done, and any recommendations deemed necessary.

• Inform the customer what to expect over the next few days, weeks, months, etc. Set clear expectations for upcoming visits.

• Ask the customer: “Do you have any other Pest Control needs I can take care of today?”

• If the customer does NOT already have a Home Shield service, ask them, “May I tell you about our routine service for continuous pest protection for your family?”

• Ask the customer, “If you feel that I provided you with good service today, I’d like to invite you to give us a positive online review – we’ll make it very easy for you.”

 

 

WARRANTY – 30 Days   (if done as a 1-Time Service)

If the customer continues to have a problem with general pest ants that we originally came to service anytime within 30 days of us being there, we will return one (1) time at no additional cost to retreat as required.

 

WARRANTY – 90 Days   (if done as an Initial treatment for a Home Shield Service)