Here in eastern Tennessee we have been getting absolutely pummeled with rain. It has rained off and on for at least the past month, if not longer. We had a drought two summers ago, so I try not to get too upset about seeing how green everything is right now, all thanks to the rain. But there is one thing that is really upsetting me, and that’s ALL THESE DANG Ants that have decided to take up residence in my house.

Did you know that rain is one of the big reasons that colonies of ants decide to move into your house? It’s true! They want a nice, dry place to live and if you get a lot of rain, like we are getting right now, then be on the lookout for the ants to go marching right into your home, where they can build their nests right inside your walls.

This is the stuff of my nightmares, and also my current reality, friends. I’m putting this out there just in case my tips can be of any help to others who are sick and tired of finding ants all over the place, even after upping your housecleaning game and getting super good about keeping food from being left on tables and counters.

We are customers of Arrow Exterminators, and we purchased a pest control contract with them. They are scheduled to come out once a quarter to do some inside and outside pest control and prevention, but they also are available any time I see a pest-related problem in my house that I’d like them to come out and address.

We had our initial service call about a month ago, but I called them again last week because the ant problem, which had become virtually non-existent since their last visit had suddenly exploded again. All thanks to that rain, as it turns out! The gentleman who came out to help me was very quick and efficient and explained exactly what he was doing in the areas where I saw problems. He did some contact extermination (spraying of ants to kill them on sight) and some baiting so that living ants would carry poison back to the nests. He also inspected the outside of my house again without being asked to and found a few new trails that he sprayed and baited.

He then gave me his card which has his work cell phone on it, and told me to call  him directly when (not if) I saw a trail of ants again. He said it’s an even faster way to get service because he might be able to squeeze me in on the same day, just depending on where else he is making service calls in the area that day. That’s great customer service! Honestly, how often do you meet someone who volunteers to go above and beyond, and squeeze in extra service calls, beyond what is on the schedule for the day, whenever possible? I would tell you that I’m surprised, but having been a customer of Arrow Exterminators for the past 4 years, it wasn’t surprising at all. This is why I am loyal to this company; they are loyal to their customers!

While it would be so wonderful if Arrow Exterminators could promise me that the ants would be eradicated with just one visit, I really appreciate their honesty: getting rid of odorous house ants is a process. It takes time and consistency. But it will get better. These ants move their nests about every 28 days, so just because they stop showing up in one part of your house, that doesn’t mean they won’t pop up next week in a totally different place!

So that’s something I want you all to understand about ants: it just takes time, and so you need to work with a pest control company (like Arrow Exterminators) that is willing to put the time and effort into truly making progress, as opposed to a place that charges a set amount for 1 treatment per month/quarter/whatever, and then charges extra for anything beyond that. If ants are your problem, you will likely not be happy with that kind of set up. I am so happy knowing that I can call any time I see a new trail of ants and that help will be on the way!

Anybody else dealing with house ants like me? Other tips to help give them the boot?