Targeted treatments that eliminate ant colonies at the source — not just the ones you see.
When you see ants in your kitchen, you're seeing scouts — workers sent out from a colony that may contain tens of thousands of insects. Spraying the ones you see doesn't touch the queen. Within days the colony sends more scouts. OnGuard uses baiting systems and residual treatments that workers carry back to the nest, collapsing the colony from within.
Aggressive mound-building ants common in lawns and landscaping. Their stings cause painful welts and can trigger allergic reactions. Broadcast bait treatments plus individual mound drenches for fast knockdown.
Large black ants that nest in moist or damaged wood. Unlike termites they don't eat wood, but tunneling creates structural galleries over time. Treatment targets the satellite colony indoors plus the parent colony outside.
Tiny brown ants that invade kitchens and bathrooms. Crushing them releases a rotten-coconut odor. Highly adaptive — colonies split when threatened by repellent sprays, making professional baiting essential.
Small tan ants that form super-colonies spanning entire yards. Extremely difficult to control with OTC products because colonies merge rather than compete. Requires systematic bait placement along foraging trails.
| Season | Activity | What We Do |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Colonies expand; swarmers emerge to start new nests | Interior bait placement, perimeter spray, fire ant broadcast |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Peak foraging; heavy kitchen and outdoor pressure | Refresh bait stations, perimeter re-treatment |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Ants move indoors ahead of cold | Seal entry points, interior bait, perimeter barrier |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Activity slows but colonies stay active in walls | Monitoring, targeted interior treatments if needed |
OTC sprays make ant problems worse. Repellent sprays cause colonies to "bud" — the queen splits the colony into multiple new nests. One colony becomes five. Always use non-repellent products or call a professional.
OnGuard serves Cleveland, Athens, Charleston, and surrounding Bradley and McMinn County communities. Call 423-951-5667 or request a free quote online. Same-week appointments available.
Over-the-counter repellent sprays kill the ants you see but don't reach the colony. Worse, they can cause colonies to "bud" — the queen senses a threat and splits the colony into multiple new nests. Professional treatments use non-repellent products that workers unknowingly carry back to the queen, collapsing the colony from within.
Ant activity in Cleveland and Athens, TN builds from March through October, peaking in summer. Fire ant mounds are most visible in spring after rain. Odorous house ants invade kitchens from spring through fall. Carpenter ants become active in late spring. Winter slows activity but doesn't eliminate it — colonies remain inside walls even in cold months.
Carpenter ants are large (up to ½ inch), black or reddish-black, and produce clean sawdust-like frass when nesting in wood. Termites leave mud tubes, have straight antennae, and cause wood to sound hollow. If you see large dark ants near wood — especially in spring — call OnGuard at 423-951-5667. We'll identify the species and assess any structural risk.
Gel bait treatments typically show significant reduction within 1–2 weeks as workers carry the bait back to the colony. Full colony elimination can take 2–4 weeks depending on colony size and species. Fire ant broadcast bait treatments for outdoor mounds show results within 1–3 weeks. We schedule a follow-up inspection to confirm results and refresh bait as needed.
Yes. If ants return between scheduled service visits, we come back free of charge. Our every-other-month maintenance program keeps your home protected year-round with no additional service fees for callbacks. One-time treatments include a 30-day re-service guarantee.
Same-week appointments available. No commitment required. We'll call you within 1 business hour.