Initial or 1x Service – Small Ants

1. Park onsite and confirm the street address to make sure that you are servicing the correct building(s).
2. Clock in and review all documents (field sheet, tech notes, and service agreement) from the bid. Also, make sure to review the Location Notes and Order Instructions pertaining to today’s service.
3. Greet the client, introduce yourself, and address any concerns/immediate problems that they may have first. When inside, start where SA have been observed. Speak with the client to gain valuable information:
   1. When did the SA activity start?
   2. Did the SA show up in response to a food source?
   3. Has the activity been sporadic, or have they formed foraging trails?
   4. Has the client applied any material or cleaner? Watch to see if the SA seem affected.
4. Baiting for SA: Remove any food source or bait placed by the client, which act as competition. Look for an entry point into the area and apply appropriate bait in a manner according to the label. Typically, a mixture of bait stations and gel bait are used to gain control. Always wear gloves when handling baits of any kind and keep baits out of the reach of children and pets.

Example Situation: The client has SA coming from an outlet in the kitchen to the right of the sink. The ants are going to a soda can. First, remove the can from the area and place a bait station on the countertop where the SA are contacting from the wall. Pull the faceplate of the outlet and inject gel bait into the wall void on the outside of the electrical box, so that the gel does not contact any wiring or electrical connections. You can also apply gel to the back of the cover.

4. After addressing the activity inside, inform the customer that you’re going to inspect the exterior and see if you can find where the SA are entering the structure.
5. Inspect the foundation around the perimeter and look for any signs of SA activity. Look for both live and dead ants as an indicator of activity. While inspecting, also look for storage, overgrown vegetation, connecting structures (fences, gazebos, wires, sheds, support posts.)
6. You can also perform baiting on the exterior where activity is found. You may apply gel bait under the siding or the foundation. Try to keep it away from the moisture or rain. You can spread granular baits in landscaped areas around the structure where ants may be foraging as an additional control measure.
7. Web mopping: Using your web mop pole, circle the whole house brushing off any spider webs and old wasp/hornet nests. Pay special attention to lights, entryways, and high peaks of the eves. Also, make sure you get the backside of the facia where it is hard to see. If the house is especially tall, use the larger extension pole stored on top of your truck. Be sure to take mental note of any areas of particularly high pest activity. You will take this into account when servicing and you may also want to put it in your notes at the end of the service. While web mopping, double check that all vegetation and storage is away from the home. A clear and uninhibited perimeter treatment is a crucial component of a successful Carpenter Ant service.
8. Non-repellant perimeter treatment: Using your backpack sprayer apply a perimeter treatment around the footprint of the home using Termidor SC. This is the foundation and an area extending out from it on the surrounding ground. Consult your label for these parameters. Make sure to include all connected items like posts, fences, overhead wires, and anywhere else the SA are entering or could enter the building, as the label allows. The goal is to complete a perimeter application in which the SA must cross the material to access the structure.
9. If the SA activity is minimal, a repellant material may be used cautiously for spider control during the initial service. If there is moderate to high SA activity, Termidor SC can also be used in the eaves to help control spiders as an added benefit of the initial service. You may service around in the eaves, behind downspouts, around windows and doors, and around exterior lights where pests may harbor or enter the building. Pay special attention to the areas that had shown particularly high activity when you were web mopping.
10. Return to your vehicle when done and secure all equipment and make it is safe to travel.
11. Reconvene with the client and report all your findings, including the measures you took to address them. Also, make sure to set expectations for the improvement in activity that they can anticipate. Typically, it will take a full 2 weeks for control and the client may see dead and dying SA inside during this time. If the client is not home and you need to communicate with them, please call or send them a text. Make sure to leave a door hanger so the client can confirm that you were onsite.
12. Enter all required information on the material applied into PestPac Mobile. Also, enter notes on the service provided today as well as any client concerns, observations you made, or necessary environmental changes (see PS.102 Entering material information and notes into PestPac Mobile). You are the first tech to be servicing at this account, be sure that you update the location instructions with any pertinent information that other techs should know. Remember: Clients have access to your notes so they should always be professional and appropriate.
13. If it was a particularly pleasant interaction be sure to send a review invite via the Podium app (see PS.150 Sending a review invite using Podium Mobile).
14. Check off the account on your service route log.