Cummings Pest: Expert Ant Control in Scottsdale & East Valley

In the Scottsdale, Mesa, Gilbert, and Chandler areas, the most common ant species we treat are fire ants, harvester ants, carpenter ants, and odorous house ants. Arizona’s desert climate creates ideal conditions for these species to thrive year-round, with activity peaking during the warmer months from March through October.

Ants are always foraging for food and water. In Arizona’s extreme heat, ants often move indoors seeking moisture, which is why kitchens and bathrooms are their favorite targets. Even a few crumbs or a small water leak can attract hundreds of ants within hours. Cummings Pest Control can identify entry points and eliminate the colony at its source.

Yes, fire ants are a genuine concern in the East Valley. Their stings cause painful, burning welts and can trigger severe allergic reactions in some people and pets. Children and small animals are particularly vulnerable. If you spot fire ant mounds in your yard in Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, or surrounding areas, it’s best to call Cummings Pest Control rather than disturb the colony yourself.

We use a targeted approach that goes beyond surface spraying. Our technicians identify the ant species, locate the colony, and apply professional-grade treatments including baits that worker ants carry back to the queen. This eliminates the entire colony, not just the ants you see. With 50+ years of experience in Arizona pest control, we know exactly which methods work best for each species in our desert environment.

Over-the-counter sprays typically kill only the ants you can see, which is a tiny fraction of the colony. Worse, some sprays can cause the colony to split and spread to new locations in your home — a process called budding. Professional treatment from Cummings Pest Control targets the queen and the entire colony for lasting results.

We recommend regular preventive treatments every one to two months during peak ant season (spring through fall) for homes in Scottsdale, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, and the surrounding East Valley. Many of our customers opt for year-round service plans since Arizona’s mild winters still allow ant activity. Cummings Pest Control offers affordable maintenance plans tailored to your property.

Carpenter ants absolutely can. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood — they excavate it to build their nests, creating smooth tunnels inside wooden structures. Over time, this can compromise the integrity of door frames, window sills, and support beams. If you notice small piles of wood shavings near wooden structures in your home, contact Cummings Pest Control for an inspection right away.

Arizona’s desert heat drives ants indoors seeking water and cooler temperatures. Common attractants include pet food left out, sticky residue on counters, leaky faucets, standing water in plant saucers, and unsealed food in pantries. Desert landscaping with rocks and gravel right against your foundation also gives ants easy pathways inside.

We offer prompt service throughout the East Valley, including Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Paradise Valley, and Rio Verde. In most cases, we can schedule an inspection and treatment within one to two business days. For severe infestations, we prioritize same-day or next-day service whenever possible.

Absolutely. Cummings Pest Control uses EPA-registered products applied by licensed, trained technicians. We carefully select treatments that are effective against ants while being safe for your family and pets when applied as directed. We’ll always let you know about any precautions to take after treatment, such as keeping pets off treated areas until they’re dry.