Ants Marching

They’re social, organized and innately smart. “Ants are just brilliant,” said Lance Griggs, assigning valedictorian characteristics to Formicidae family members. They even form a mini caste system with a division of labor and jobs. The owner of Spectrum Pest Management in Madison, Ala., said hands-down, “ants are definitely the No. 1 reason why customers call us.”

He added, “They are just great little exploiters and find any opening or any crack.”

According to the pest management professionals (PMPs) across the country surveyed in PCT’s annual State of the Ant Control Market survey, sponsored by Syngenta, 47 percent of respondents noted an increase in ant infestations, with 45 percent indicating ant pressure is the same as last year.

Invasive ants are a growing problem for 52 percent, and overall, 53 percent of PMPs who participated in the survey expect an increase in revenue generated from ant control services.

“People tend to think that German cockroaches drive the pest control business, but, in reality, there are over 240 species of ants in Florida and a similar number in other states,” said Tom Jarzynka, vice president of technical and training, Massey Services, Orlando, Fla.

He echoed Griggs’ take. “Ants are the No. 1 reason people call us to ask for help,” Jarzynka said.

Ant pressure is on the rise, though Mark Peterson said tracking it in his Kansas City, Mo., business Absolute Pest Control is “like a roller coaster or the Dow Jones ticker.” One year, his family business performed 60 ant control services as a brand-new startup. “The next year, it was down by more than half,” he said. “It can fluctuate that much.”

This year, he is expecting an uptick and is heading into the season prepared with products in store. “We had an unseasonably warm winter, and that will unleash all kinds of critters,” he said, planning to get ahead of ants this year.

“Everyone in Eugene has ants,” said Jason Dimick, owner, PAH Weed and Pest in Eugene, Ore. “It’s just a matter of where they show up and when they show up.”

This sentiment is consistent across the industry, and this year’s State of the Ant Control Market Report explores pressure, control and service.