Need help with an Ant problem?
How does the ant treatment work?
For many common ant infestations, we use a professional gel bait placed in selected areas where ants are active. The bait is designed to be carried back towards the nest, helping target the wider colony rather than only the visible ants.
Activity often reduces over the following days as ants continue to feed on the bait and share it within the colony. The exact result depends on the ant species, nest location, level of activity and whether other food sources are available.
Gel bait is often preferable to general spraying for common black ants because it can target the colony more effectively while keeping the treatment localised and discreet.
Ant gel is usually placed in small amounts in cracks, edges, skirting areas or other suitable locations where ants are active. The aim is to keep the treatment localised while allowing ants to feed on the bait and carry it back towards the nest.
We place the gel carefully to reduce the chance of contact by children, pets or occupants. Treated areas should not be wiped, washed or covered while the bait is active, unless we advise otherwise.
We will explain where the gel has been placed, what to avoid after treatment, and when normal cleaning can resume.
Ant pest control service in London
Why ant gel is often preferred
Spraying visible ants may reduce activity for a short time, but it often does not reach the nest or the wider colony. In some situations, spraying can also disturb ants and make the problem harder to manage.
For many common ant infestations, gel bait is a better option because ants feed on the bait and carry it back towards the nest. This helps target the colony while keeping treatment localised and discreet.
Targeting the colony
Long-term ant control depends on more than killing the ants that are visible in the room. The treatment needs to affect the nest or colony where possible, especially where queens, brood or satellite nests are involved.
The best approach depends on the ant species, the location of the nest and how the ants are moving through the property. Common black ants, Pharaoh ants and other species may require different treatment strategies.
How much does ant control cost in London?
Our ant control service starts from £178 + VAT for common ant activity in a home or flat.
For many common black ant infestations, a targeted gel bait treatment may be enough to bring activity under control. The gel remains available to foraging ants for a period after treatment, provided it is not wiped away or covered.
The final treatment plan depends on the ant species, nest location, level of activity and whether the infestation involves a difficult species such as Pharaoh ants. Some ant problems may require more than one visit or a wider building-level approach.
Types of ants in London
Common black ants are the species most often seen in London homes and gardens. Nests are often located outside, close to walls, patios, paving, soil edges or other sheltered areas near the affected room.
In some cases, activity may appear inside the property through gaps around skirting boards, pipework, kitchens, bathrooms or wall edges. Treatment normally focuses on the active trails and likely nest route.
For practical steps on cleaning trails, removing food sources and deciding when treatment is needed, see our guide on how to get rid of ants in the house.
Tropical ant species can be more difficult to manage than common black ants, especially in blocks of flats, shared buildings and properties with warm service routes or hidden voids.
They may spread between rooms, flats or floors if treated incorrectly, so identification is important before applying sprays or disturbing the activity.
Pharaoh ants are very small tropical ants that can be difficult to control without a structured plan. They can form multiple nests and may spread through a building if disturbed or treated with the wrong method.
They are more likely to be associated with warm internal areas, flats, commercial kitchens, care settings and larger buildings with service routes or hidden voids.
For more detail on identification, risks and why sprays can make the issue worse, see our guide to Pharaoh ants in the UK.
Flying ants can appear suddenly when a colony produces winged reproductive ants. This may happen around skirting boards, wall edges, patios, windows or other points where ants are already nesting nearby.
A short outdoor swarm may not need treatment, but repeated indoor emergence from the same gap can suggest a nest or route close to the structure.
For advice on seasonal swarms, indoor activity and when to arrange treatment, see our guide to flying ants in London.
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