You shouldn’t have to worry about fire ants attacking your kids in the yard or ghost ants contaminating your kitchen counters. When you call Around The Clock Pest Service, you’re getting more than just ant control—you’re getting peace of mind.
Our targeted treatments eliminate entire colonies, not just the ants you can see. We identify the specific species invading your Gulf Pine home and use proven baiting systems that worker ants carry directly back to their queens. No more ant highways across your counters, no more dangerous fire ant mounds in your yard, and no more wondering if they’ll just come back next week.
Around The Clock Pest Service has been protecting Hernando County families from Florida’s most persistent ant problems for years. As a family-run business, you work directly with the owner—no call centers, no runaround, just honest communication and reliable results.
We’re state-certified and know exactly how to handle Gulf Pine’s unique ant challenges. From aggressive fire ants that threaten your family’s safety to tiny ghost ants that seem impossible to eliminate, we’ve seen it all in this area. Our 100+ five-star Google reviews speak to our commitment to getting the job done right the first time.
First, we identify exactly which ant species you’re dealing with—this matters more than you might think. Fire ants require different treatment than carpenter ants or ghost ants. We inspect your property to locate trails, nesting sites, and entry points that most homeowners miss.
Next, we apply targeted treatments using professional-grade baiting systems. These aren’t the same baits you buy at the store. Worker ants carry our specialized baits back to their colonies, eliminating queens and stopping reproduction at the source. We also create protective barriers around your home to prevent new infestations.
Finally, we monitor results and provide follow-up treatments if needed. Most ant problems are resolved quickly, but we’re committed to making sure they stay gone. You’ll have our direct number for any questions or concerns.
Ready to get started?
Gulf Pine’s warm, humid climate attracts some of Florida’s most problematic ant species. Fire ants build aggressive colonies that attack anything disturbing their mounds—dangerous for children and pets playing in your yard. Carpenter ants excavate galleries in wood structures, causing damage similar to termites over time.
Ghost ants are nearly invisible but contaminate food and seem impossible to eliminate with DIY methods. Sugar ants create persistent trails across kitchen counters, while pharaoh ants can spread bacteria throughout your home. Each species requires specific treatment approaches to achieve lasting results.
Our comprehensive service includes species identification, targeted baiting systems, colony elimination, and preventive treatments. We use family-safe methods that won’t harm your pets or children while effectively destroying entire ant colonies. Most treatments show results within days, with complete elimination typically achieved within 1-2 weeks.
Those tiny ants are most likely ghost ants, which are extremely common in Gulf Pine’s humid climate. They’re nearly transparent and only about 1.3mm long, making them hard to spot until they swarm food sources. Ghost ants have a constant need for water, which is why they target kitchens and bathrooms.
The reason they keep coming back is that DIY sprays only kill the ants you can see—they don’t eliminate the colony. Ghost ants leave invisible scent trails that guide others to food sources even after you’ve cleaned. Professional baiting systems work because worker ants carry the bait back to their hidden colonies, eliminating queens and stopping reproduction. Without targeting the source, you’ll keep seeing new ants following the same trails.
Fire ants are extremely dangerous, especially for children and pets. They’re aggressive defenders that attack anything disturbing their mounds, delivering multiple painful stings that inject venom. Fire ant stings cause burning pain and can trigger severe allergic reactions requiring emergency medical treatment.
In Gulf Pine’s warm climate, fire ants remain active year-round and build large underground colonies with distinctive dirt mounds. They don’t just sting once—they bite with their mandibles to anchor themselves, then sting repeatedly while releasing pheromones that signal other ants to attack. Professional treatment is essential because disturbing mounds without proper treatment often just causes colonies to relocate rather than eliminate them.
Carpenter ants and termites both damage wood, but in different ways. Carpenter ants excavate smooth galleries in wood to create nesting sites—they don’t actually eat the wood like termites do. You’ll often see small piles of sawdust-like debris near baseboards or wooden structures where carpenter ants have been working.
Carpenter ants are much larger than termites (¼ to ½ inch long), typically black or dark brown, and have narrow waists with bent antennae. They’re most active at night and prefer damp or rotting wood. While they don’t consume wood for nutrition, their tunneling can weaken structural integrity over time. Professional identification is crucial because treatment methods for carpenter ants versus termites are completely different.
Most ant problems in Gulf Pine show significant improvement within 3-7 days of professional treatment, with complete elimination typically achieved within 1-2 weeks. The timeline depends on the ant species, colony size, and severity of infestation. Fire ants and ghost ants usually respond quickly to baiting systems, while carpenter ants may take slightly longer due to their nesting habits.
Our baiting systems work by having worker ants carry treated bait back to their colonies, where it’s shared with queens and other colony members. This process takes time but ensures complete elimination rather than just surface treatment. We provide follow-up inspections to monitor progress and apply additional treatments if needed. Some species like pharaoh ants may require multiple treatments due to their complex colony structures.
Yes, our professional ant control treatments are specifically chosen for their safety around families and pets. We use targeted baiting systems and low-toxicity products that effectively eliminate ants while posing minimal risk to humans and animals. Modern ant baits are designed to attract ants specifically, not pets or children.
We explain exactly what products we’re using and any simple precautions to take during treatment. Most treatments involve placing bait stations in areas where ants are active but children and pets don’t typically access. Our technicians are trained in safe application methods and will discuss the best approach for your specific situation. We’re also happy to work around your family’s schedule and provide guidance on keeping everyone safe during the treatment process.
Gulf Pine’s warm, humid climate creates ideal conditions for ant activity year-round, but specific attractants draw them into homes. Food sources are the primary draw—crumbs, spills, pet food, and even grease residue can create ant highways. Water sources like leaky pipes, standing water, or high humidity areas also attract species like ghost ants.
Structural issues provide entry points and nesting opportunities. Carpenter ants seek damp or rotting wood, while other species exploit cracks around windows, doors, or foundations. Outdoor conditions matter too—fire ants build colonies in yards and may move indoors during extreme weather. Even landscaping choices like mulch beds or plants that produce honeydew can increase ant activity near your home. Professional treatment addresses both active infestations and these underlying attractants.
Local Resources
Useful Links
Other Services we provide in Gulf Pine
