Spraying a visible ant trail kills 1% of the colony. Castle Exterminators uses non-repellent baits and perimeter treatments that workers carry back to the queen, collapsing the entire colony. We handle carpenter, fire, sugar, pavement, and odorous house ants common in the Durham area.
Common signs you need help
- Trails of ants leading to food, water, or pet bowls
- Small piles of sawdust or wood shavings (carpenter ants)
- Visible mounds in your yard, driveway cracks, or patio
- Winged ants ("alates") inside the home in spring
- Bites or stings near outdoor mounds (fire ants)
How Castle Exterminators handles it
Species ID + colony mapping
Different ant species require very different treatments. We confirm the species and trace activity back to the nest.
Non-repellent bait transfer
Workers carry our slow-acting bait back to the queen and brood — wiping out the entire colony in 7–14 days without scattering it.
Exterior perimeter barrier
A perimeter treatment around the foundation, eaves, and entry points keeps new colonies from re-invading.
Frequently asked questions
Why did spraying make my ant problem worse?
Repellent sprays cause colonies to "bud" — splitting into multiple smaller colonies. We use non-repellent products that ants carry home instead.
Do you treat fire ant mounds outside?
Yes — we use targeted mound drenches and broadcast bait treatments for yard-wide control.