Stop the Ant Trail at the Source

Argentine kitchens, fire-ant mounds, pavement-ant patios. Treatment that targets the colony instead of the trail, for homes across Fresno, Clovis, Hanford, and Visalia.

Ant Control treatment by Fortis Pest Control in the Central Valley.

Why Ants Keep Coming Back

Most ant problems aren't a one-time invasion. They're a colony. The ants you see on your counter are the workers, and they're following a pheromone trail back to a nest that can hold thousands more. Spraying the trail kills the workers in front of you. The colony keeps producing more.

That's the gap Fortis closes. Effective ant treatment targets the colony, not the trail. We use slow-acting bait that workers carry back to the nest, plus perimeter treatment that breaks the supply line between outdoors and indoors.

Common Ants in Central Valley Homes

A few species drive most of the ant calls we get in the Fresno area.

  • 01

    Argentine ants

    The most common kitchen invader in California. Long trails along counters, around pet bowls, and behind appliances. Retail spray doesn't work because the colony just relocates.

  • 02

    Fire ants

    Build mounds in lawns and bare ground. The sting is painful and dangerous for kids and pets. Treatment focuses on the mound and the surrounding perimeter.

  • 03

    Pavement ants

    Small dark ants on driveways, patios, and foundation cracks. Not aggressive, but they nest in large numbers and slip indoors through the smallest gaps.

If you're specifically dealing with Carpenter Ants, those need a different treatment focus because they damage wood structures. We cover them on our dedicated Carpenter Ant Control page.

Pricing Made Simple

Pricing scales with home size.
Quotes are free.

HomeShield

Proactive residential service

Starting at

$49 /month

  • Proactive, recurring visits throughout the year
  • Covers Central Valley's most common pests
  • Establish a pest barrier around your home
  • Re-services between visits included

HomeShield+

HomeShield with expanded mosquito treatment.

Starting at

Add-on

  • Everything in HomeShield
  • Expanded with targeted mosquito treatments
  • Yard-focused coverage through warm months
  • Best for outdoor entertainment!!

EcoShield

HomeShield with an eco-friendly product line.

Starting at

Add-on

  • Everything in HomeShield
  • Eco-friendly active ingredients
  • Same coverage, gentler products
  • Complete peace of mind for your family and pets
See full plan comparison

What you can do before we arrive

A few things make treatment more effective. None are required.

Wipe down trails

Use soap and water, not bleach. Bleach doesn't break the pheromone trail and can repel the bait.

Move pet food bowls

Pull bowls away from baited areas for a day after treatment so the bait stays the most attractive food source.

Flag entry points

Keep an eye on where ants are coming in from and let your technician know on the visit.

How Fortis Treats Ants

We target the colony, not just the trail. A typical ant visit follows five steps.

01

Inspection

We map the trails, locate the nest, and find the entry points workers are using between outdoors and indoors.

02

Targeted bait placement

Slow-acting bait placed along active foraging routes so workers carry the active ingredient back to the colony, queen included.

03

Perimeter treatment

Barrier treatment around the foundation, eaves, and exterior entry points to break the supply line between outdoors and indoors.

04

Interior treatment

Targeted treatment in active areas (under sinks, around pet bowls, baseboards) to handle workers already inside.

05

Follow-up visit

Included if the activity hasn't dropped off within a typical treatment window. For homes on HomeShield, ant control is part of every quarterly visit with re-treatment between visits if a new trail shows up.

Frequently
Asked Questions

For most homes, the fastest sustainable approach is targeted bait treatment combined with a perimeter spray, not a quick contact-kill on the trail. Bait works because ants carry the active ingredient back to the colony, including the queen. Contact spray kills the workers you see and leaves the nest untouched. Most homes see the trail die down within 7 to 14 days of treatment.

Yes. The bait and perimeter products we use are family-friendly around pets once dry, typically 30 to 60 minutes after application. Move pet bowls away from treated indoor areas for a day after the visit. For households that want a gentler product line, our EcoShield upgrade uses eco-friendly active ingredients.

Store-bought sprays kill on contact, which is satisfying to watch but doesn't reach the colony. The trail re-forms within a day or two, often along a different route. The colony is still producing workers, and you'll see them again. Effective ant treatment targets the nest, not the trail.

No. Treatments are family-friendly to be around once dry. Your technician will let you know which rooms to stay out of for the first 30 to 60 minutes.

Ant pressure is seasonal in the Central Valley, peaking from spring through early fall as outside colonies push toward indoor moisture. Under HomeShield, ant control is part of every quarterly visit. If you see new activity between visits, we come back to handle it.

Get your Ant Control quote

Share a few details about your pest problem and we'll get back to you with a free quote, usually within the same business day.

  • Free consultation

    Walk through your pest problem with a real Fortis tech, not a sales script.

  • Same-day quotes

    Most requests get a response within the same business day.

  • Family-friendly service

    Treatments are family-friendly once dry, typically 30 to 60 minutes after application.

  • Local and licensed

    Family and veteran owned. California license PR 9962.

Hours

Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm Pacific

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