Central Florida's Ant Control Experts

Ant problems are a year-round reality in Florida. Warm temperatures, daily humidity, and frequent rain create perfect conditions for ants to nest in lawns, under slabs, inside walls, and around foundations. Gato Lawn & Pest Control specializes in ant control for Orlando and the surrounding Central Florida communities, helping homeowners get rid of existing infestations and prevent new ones from taking over kitchens, patios, and yards. Our approach focuses on correctly identifying the type of ant, treating the colony at its source, and fixing the conditions that allowed them in so you’re not just chasing trails—you’re actually solving the problem.

Common Types of Ants Around Florida Homes

Central Florida homeowners typically deal with several types of ants, each with its own habits and challenges:

• Sugar and ghost ants – Tiny ants that show up around sinks, counters, and pantry areas. They love sweets and moisture, and can form long foraging trails inside walls and under baseboards.
• Pavement ants and big-headed ants – Often found along sidewalks, driveways, and patios, these ants build nests in soil and cracks, then move indoors in search of food.
• Fire ants – Known for their painful stings, fire ants build large mounds in lawns and landscaped areas. They’re a serious issue for families with kids and pets who play outside.
• Carpenter ants – Larger ants that nest in damp or damaged wood, sometimes inside wall voids, window frames, or rooflines. While they don’t eat wood like termites, they can still cause structural damage over time.

Because each species behaves differently and nests in different places, accurate identification is critical. The right treatment for ghost ants is very different from the best approach for fire ants or carpenter ants.

Why DIY Ant Sprays Usually Don’t Work

Most store-bought sprays only kill the ants you can see. They might knock down a trail on the counter, but they rarely reach the main colony hidden behind walls, under slabs, or out in the yard. In some cases, using the wrong products can actually make things worse by causing the colony to “bud” and split into multiple colonies, leading to more trails in more rooms.

Professional ant control focuses on the entire population, not just the foragers. At Gato, we use targeted baits, non-repellent products, and strategic application methods that allow ants to carry the treatment back to the nest. This is how we eliminate the source of the problem instead of playing whack-a-mole with trails every few days.

Our Ant Control Process

When you call Gato Lawn & Pest Control for ant issues, we follow a proven process tailored to Florida homes:

1. Inspection & identification
Your technician looks inside and outside—along foundations, in kitchens and bathrooms, around windows and doors, in garages, and out in the yard—to locate trails, nesting sites, moisture issues, and conducive conditions. We identify the species so we know exactly how to treat it.

2. Customized treatment plan
Based on what we find, we build a targeted plan that may include interior crack-and-crevice applications, ant baits, non-repellent products along trails, and yard treatments for mounds or nests. We explain everything in plain language so you know what to expect.

3. Interior ant control
Inside your home, we focus on the zones ants actually use—plumbing penetrations under sinks, cracks around baseboards, wall voids behind outlets, and entry points around doors and windows. We use baits and targeted applications, not heavy, open spraying across every surface.

4. Exterior barrier & yard treatments
Outside, we create a protective barrier around the foundation and treat key harborage areas where ants nest or forage. For fire ants and other lawn-nesting species, we treat mounds and high-activity areas in the yard to reduce the population before they ever reach your home.

5. Follow-up & monitoring
Ant colonies don’t always disappear overnight, especially larger, well-established populations. We schedule follow-ups as needed, monitor activity, and adjust products or tactics until the problem is under control. For ongoing protection, we recommend including ant control as part of a regular pest program.

How We Keep Ants Out Long-Term

Long-term ant control in Florida is a combination of professional treatments and smart home maintenance. During service, your technician will point out practical steps that make a real difference, such as:

• Sealing gaps around doors, windows, and utility lines
• Repairing moisture issues and leaks under sinks or around the exterior
• Trimming shrubs and plants away from the side of the house
• Reducing heavy mulch or debris right up against the foundation
• Storing food (including pet food) in sealed containers and cleaning up spills quickly

By pairing these prevention tips with professional ant treatments, we reduce the chances of future trails forming inside your home and keep outdoor populations manageable.

Are Ant Treatments Safe for Kids and Pets?

Gato builds every service around safety and responsible use of products. For ant control, we rely heavily on targeted applications and bait placements in areas that pests use but children and pets don’t typically access. We follow all label directions, use professional-grade materials appropriate for residential environments, and take the time to explain where products are applied and when areas are safe to re-enter.

If you have specific concerns—small children, pregnancy, sensitive pets, or allergies—tell your technician before the service. We can adjust products and strategies to match your comfort level and still deliver effective ant control.

How Fast Will Ants Go Away After Treatment?

Many homeowners see improvement within the first few days after a professional ant treatment. You may notice increased ant activity briefly as workers carry bait or encounter non-repellent products, but this is usually a sign the treatment is working and being shared within the colony.

Lighter infestations often resolve quickly; larger or long-standing infestations may take a bit more time and one or more follow-up visits. Gato’s goal is not just to reduce the ants you see—it’s to eliminate the colony and put barriers in place so new colonies don’t simply move in.

Ant Control Service in Orlando & Central Florida

Gato Lawn & Pest Control offers ant control as a one-time service for urgent infestations and as part of our ongoing pest protection plans for Orlando and Central Florida homeowners. Whether you’re dealing with sugar ants in the kitchen, fire ants in the yard, or recurring trails that keep coming back no matter what you spray, our local team can diagnose the problem and put a long-term solution in place.

If ants are taking over your home or yard, it’s time to get professional help. Gato can inspect, identify the species, treat the colonies at their source, and help you prevent future outbreaks—so your home is comfortable, protected, and ready for Florida living all year long.