Case Study: Eliminating Odorous House Ants in Westerville, OH
- Eric Curavo
- Aug 9
- 4 min read
For homeowners in Westerville, Ohio, seeing a few ants can quickly escalate into a full-blown infestation that seems to take over the entire house. When store-bought traps and sprays fail, the frustration mounts. This was the exact situation for a recent client in Westerville who was seeing trails of ants from their basement all the way to their master bathroom.
Here’s a detailed look at how we identified the source of their persistent pest problem and implemented a comprehensive plan to eliminate it for good.
The Challenge: A Sprawling Ant Invasion
Our Westerville client called us with a common but serious problem: they had "some ants" in their unfinished basement that were now appearing throughout their house. The situation was far worse than just "some ants."
During our initial conversation and on-site inspection, we identified the key challenges:
Widespread Infestation: The ants weren't confined to one area. Active trails were visible on the home's exterior foundation, in the basement, living room, bedroom, and master bathroom, particularly under the sink and tub.
Failed DIY Attempts: The homeowner had tried using Terro bait stations and bug bombing the void under their tub. While these methods provided brief, short-term relief, they never solved the core problem, and the ants always returned.
The Culprit: The client described them as "tiny black ants." Our inspection confirmed their identity: Odorous House Ants, a common and notoriously persistent pest in Ohio. When crushed, these ants emit a smell similar to rotten coconut, a key identifying feature.
A detailed view of an Odorous House Ant, the species responsible for this client's persistent pest problem.
The Inspection: Uncovering the Source of the Odorous House Ants in Westerville
A successful pest control strategy goes beyond spraying what you can see. It requires a thorough investigation to understand the full scope of the infestation. When dealing with Odorous House Ants in Westerville, identifying the colony's network is key.
Our technician immediately began a detailed inspection of the property's exterior. We discovered:
Exterior Superhighways: Very active ant trails were present at each corner of the home's foundation. A major trail ran from a large tree near the garage, across nearly 10 yards of lawn, and into the home. This tree was identified as the likely origin of the primary nest.
Multiple Entry Points: The Odorous House Ants were exploiting small gaps between the foundation and the home's siding. They were also emerging from expansion cracks in the basement's concrete floor, indicating a large, established colony with potential satellite nests under the foundation.
Interior Hotspots: Inside, the trails led directly to areas with food sources (crumbs left by children) and moisture (bathrooms), confirming the ants were foraging throughout the entire home.
Active ant trails, like this one our technician found on the client's foundation, are a clear sign of a significant infestation.
The Solution: A Targeted, Multi-Pronged Treatment Plan
With a clear understanding of the ant species, their nests, and entry points, we developed a comprehensive treatment plan. We explained to the homeowner that our goal was not just to kill the foraging ants they saw, but to eliminate the entire colony at its source and build a protective barrier for residual control.
Our professional treatment included:
Exterior Perimeter Barrier: We applied a non-repellent liquid spray around the entire exterior perimeter of the home. This product is undetectable to ants. They cross the barrier, become carriers, and transfer the active ingredient back to the colony, leading to total elimination through a "transfer effect."
Targeted Baiting: We used a combination of professional-grade gel baits and granular baits near active trails and around the foundation. Ants consume these baits and share them with the queen and other ants through a process called trophallaxis, ensuring the poison reaches and destroys the whole colony.
Source Treatment: We specifically targeted the nest originating in the large tree with both the non-repellent spray and strategic bait placement.
Pet & Family Safety: Our focus was on exterior treatment. No liquid pesticides were applied inside the home. The only interior treatment consisted of gel bait carefully placed in cracks and crevices, far from the reach of children and pets. We simply instructed the homeowner to keep their pets off the treated lawn for 4 hours to allow for drying time.
The Results: A Quiet Home and a Happy Client
The results were swift and decisive.
Within 48 hours, the client reported a significant decrease in ant activity.
After one week, all active ant trails had vanished. The only ants found were dead ones in the basement, a sign the treatment was working as they returned to their nests.
At our one-month follow-up visit, there was no ant activity on or inside the home.
The client was "extremely happy with us solving their ant problem which had been the worst they had ever experienced."
Long-Term Prevention: Empowering the Homeowner
To ensure a lasting solution, we provided the client with our comprehensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) inspection report, which included these key recommendations:
Reduce Moisture: Use a dehumidifier to lower the moisture content in the basement.
Seal Entry Points: Seal the gaps between the foundation and siding and around any utility pipes entering the home.
Manage Landscaping: Trim back the branches of the large tree so they are not overhanging or touching the porch roof.
Practice Sanitation: Be diligent about cleaning up food crumbs and spills that attract foraging ants.
If you are struggling with a persistent ant problem in Westerville or the surrounding Columbus area, stop the cycle of ineffective DIY treatments. Contact us today for a comprehensive inspection and a customized treatment plan to reclaim your home from pests.
