---
title: A Closer Look at Why Ants Are Difficult to Control
description: Why are ants difficult to control? Take a closer look with Brittany Campbell Ph.D., BCE
---

[CSI Pest Blog ](https://www.controlsolutionsinc.com/csi-pest/blog)

# [A Closer Look at Why Ants Are Difficult to Control](https://www.controlsolutionsinc.com/csi-pest/blog/a-closer-look-at-why-ants-are-difficult-to-control)

 Written by [Brittany Campbell, Ph.D., BCE](https://www.controlsolutionsinc.com/csi-pest/blog/author/brittany-campbell-ph-d-bce) | Sep 26, 2023 6:56:35 PM

Ants are fascinating creatures but unfortunately, are constantly ranked by pest management professionals as one of the most difficult pests to control. Let’s take a look at why ants continue to take the number 1 spot for call backs and issues for PMPs.

**Pesticide repellency**

Ants are incredibly sensitive to their surroundings and will avoid some pesticides. Pyrethroid insecticides are known to be repellent while other chemistries, like fipronil, are non-repellent to ants. So, when choosing a control method decide if you are trying to keep ants away from a structure or want the ants to crawl through the insecticide and die.

 

**Social insects in large colonies**

The sheer numbers of ants in a colony means the odds are often in the favor of the ants. Just wiping up ants in a kitchen or applying a pesticide where a trail is seen won’t be enough for total control. Seeking out the colonies makes control much more difficult but some chemistries and baits can help with control when a colony can not be found. Cleaning indoors to minimize food and debris indoors and maintaining vegetation around the home will go a long way with ant prevention.

 

**Sometimes it’s not just the ants…but other food sources**

If a customer has a vegetable garden or a lot of plants around the home, then aphids may be providing a yummy treat for ant populations to thrive. Aphids secrete honeydew, a liquid that is rich in sugar, from their plant juice diet. The honeydew produced is a favorite meal of many ants. Be sure to check plants around a home during an inspection because it may lead to some of the ant issues.

 

**Red imported fire ants can survive floods**

Extreme weather sometimes won’t even be enough to control ants around a structure. Unfortunately, even a great flooding event doesn’t wipe out red imported fire ants. In large rain events, RIFA ants will clasp onto each other tightly and create a raft that floats on top of water to survive flooding.

 

[View full post](https://www.controlsolutionsinc.com/csi-pest/blog/a-closer-look-at-why-ants-are-difficult-to-control)

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