Fowler confirms ants are the top

FALLBROOK - If ants showed up only at picnics, perhaps they'd be easier to tolerate. Instead, they can make their way through the tiniest gaps and annoyingly appear in most any area of the home. As the number one œnuisance pest in the U.S., ants enter homes to find food and water. This means that no matter how a home is constructed, where it's located, or how old it is, it could be invaded by ants.

This year, as homeowners scurry around to buy traps and over-the-counter remedies, experts are leaning the other way, and advising of the newest professional treatment trend.

œWe hear from frustrated callers every week who have unsuccessfully tried every do-it-yourself ant control product on the shelf, said Glen Fowler, of Fowler Pest Control. œWhen you add up the time and money they've spent trying to rid their homes of ants, it would have been less expensive and a whole lot easier to call a pest professional to get it done right, the first time.

œEffective ant control begins with a professional inspection and treatments using the most technologically advanced products available, explained Fowler. œProfessional treatments like Phantom® insecticide and Termidor® insecticide/termiticide are both undetectable, allowing the ants to pass through the treated zone and become carriers, spreading the treatment to other ants they contact.

A pest professional can apply Phantom to trouble spots inside the home, and Termidor around the home's foundations to reach the outdoor nests where the ants live. Most ant species are controlled within a week of application.

According to Fowler, homeowner mentality is quickly shifting toward this time-efficient, affordable, peace of mind outlook that comes with having a pest professional tackle an ant invasion.

Be part of the solution

Ants need food and water, and they need a way to gain access to the home. Since they can be very persistent, residents need to be just as determined by taking some simple steps towards controlling these nuisance pests. Inside - clean up spilled food and beverages, diligently take out the trash, and rinse out jars and containers before placing them in trash cans and recycling bins. Outside - seal doors and windows, keep rain gutters clean to prevent moisture inside walls, and trim trees and shrubs away from the house.

Phantom and Termidor treatments can be applied by licensed pest professionals who have been trained and certified to use the products. Visit http://www.fowlerpestcontrol.com or call (760)723-2592 for more information.