Ant Control in Fort Collins, CO and Surrounding Areas

Why Local Ant Control Matters in Fort Collins, CO

Fort Collins isn’t “just another city”, our semi-arid climate and booming growth create ant hot spots that national companies often overlook:

Seasonal extremes

• Hot, dry summers push pavement ants into homes searching for water.
• Cold winters drive field ants indoors to nest near heat sources.
• Spring thaws flood mounds, sending colonies on indoor scavenging missions.

Rapid suburban expansion

• New construction disturbs native habitats, scattering ant colonies.
• Over-watering young landscaping attracts odorous house ants in garages and basements.

Why locals win

• We know soil types around Horsetooth Reservoir, Old Town, and Rocky Mountain foothills.
• Our treatment schedules align with Fort Collins’ ant life cycles, no guessing, no one-size-fits-all sprays.

Generic plans can miss these nuances. With Old Town Pest Control, you get proven, neighborhood-savvy solutions that keep ants out year-round.

Common Ant Species in Fort Collins and Surrounding Areas

Fort Collins homes and landscapes attract six ant species more than any others. We’ll help you recognize them quickly so you know what we’re up against:

Pavement ants (Tetramorium caespitum)

• Tiny (2–3 mm), dark brown to black.
• Nests under sidewalks, driveways, patios.
• Forage inside for greasy foods; can create visible “trails” on walls and floors.

Field ants (Formica spp.)

• Medium‐sized (4–7 mm), red or black.
• Build mounds in open lawns and parks.
• In spring, colonies send workers indoors seeking shelter and food.

Carpenter ants (Camponotus spp.)

• Large (6–13 mm), black or red‐black.
• Tunnel into damp wood, eaves, fascia boards, door frames.
• Indicators of moisture issues; can cause structural damage over time.

Odorous house ants (Tapinoma sessile)

• Small (2–3 mm), brown or black.
• Emit a rotten‐coconut smell when crushed.
• Thrive in garages and kitchens, especially near spilled sweets.

Pharaoh ants (Monomorium pharaonis)

• Very small (1.5–2 mm), yellow to light brown.
• Form multiple, hard-to-trace colonies inside walls and baseboards.
• Common in apartments, healthcare facilities, and dorms.

Cornfield ants (Lasius spp.)

• Medium (3–4 mm), yellow to reddish.
• Nest in soil and under mulch, then wander indoors for sweet liquids.
• Often mistaken for odorous house ants.

Knowing exactly which species is invading your home lets us target our treatments for fast, lasting relief.

Our Fort Collins–Tailored Ant Control Process

At Old Town Pest Control, we follow a four-step approach built around local ant behavior, Fort Collins soil types, and seasonal cycles:

Step 1: Comprehensive Inspection

• Indoors: Check kitchens, bathrooms, garages for entry points and bait trails.
• Outdoors: Map nests around foundations, patios, landscaping beds, and irrigation heads.
• Conduct a thorough inspection indoors and outdoors to identify activity and entry points.

Step 2: Customized Treatment Plan

• Design a tailored treatment plan based on the pest and property needs.
• Recommend treatment timing and methods that fit your property and family’s needs.
• Discuss timing with you to minimize disruption to family and pets.

Step 3: Exclusion & Habitat Modification Recommendations

• Seal cracks, gaps, and plumbing penetrations with weatherproof materials.
• Adjust irrigation to prevent pooling near foundations.
• Recommend landscaping changes (rock mulch zones, native plant buffers).

Step 4: Follow-Up & Monitoring

• Schedule visits aligned with Fort Collins’ ant life cycles (spring emigrations, summer foraging peaks, overwintering).
• Re-treat at no charge if ants return between scheduled visits.
• Provide you with an easy-to-read report and ongoing prevention tips.

Every technician on our team is Colorado-licensed, insured, and trained in local pest patterns, so you get a solution that works right out of the gate.

Seasonal DIY and Professional Prevention Advice

Ant activity in Fort Collins follows our seasons. Here’s how you can stay one step ahead—and how our treatments fit into each season:

Spring (March–May)

• Clear debris along foundations and snow-melt lines
• Inspect caulking and weatherstripping for new cracks
• We recommend a spring inspection to knock out emerging colonies

Summer (June–August)

• Adjust irrigation heads to prevent standing water near your home
• Store outdoor trash and recycling bins with sealed lids
• Our barrier treatments peak in effectiveness when applied before foraging season

Fall (September–November)

• Seal exterior gaps before the first freeze
• Remove leaf litter, fallen fruit, and pet food from garages
• Schedule a pre-winter check to block overwintering sites

Winter (December–February)

• Monitor interior corners where ants seek warmth
• Repair any indoor leaks or condensation
• We offer winter re-inspections to keep hidden colonies at bay

We’ll share seasonal prevention tips during service and follow-ups.

Services We Offer

At Old Town Pest Control, we make ant protection simple and transparent:

• Ant control is built into both residential and commercial pest solutions.
• Flexible ongoing service options are available, including quarterly, seasonal, or year-round coverage.
• Services are tailored to property type and conditions, ensuring the right level of protection for homes and businesses.

Additional Benefits:

• Serving Fort Collins & surrounding areas
• Transparent recommendations and a clear quote based on your property and pest issue