Ant Control in Bakersfield
Most ant trails in Bakersfield kitchens are Argentine ants, and the fix that works is slow-acting bait the ants carry back to the nest, plus sealing where they come in. Spraying the trail or the foundation kills the ants you see and leaves the colony.
We only refer companies licensed by the California Structural Pest Control Board.
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If ants show up overnight in a line across the counter, around the dog bowl or in the bathroom, you are not alone and you are not doing anything wrong. This guide covers which ants you are likely dealing with and why they come inside. It also covers what works and when it is worth calling a licensed company.
Why ants come inside in Bakersfield
The UC Statewide IPM Program says ants enter buildings looking for food and water or for warmth and shelter, or for "refuge from dry, hot weather or flooded conditions." It adds that ants may appear suddenly when their outdoor food runs short or the weather changes.
Bakersfield has a lot of hot, dry weather to flee. Meadows Field averages 113 days a year at 90F or hotter and 39 days at 100F or hotter, and the median first 90-degree day is April 14 while the last is October 13. The average July high is 99, and there is almost no rain from June to September. That puts a long stretch of the year in the conditions UC IPM describes.
Average days per month at 90°F or hotter, Bakersfield Meadows Field
The numbers come from 30 years of NOAA records; see our Kern County pest data for the full set.
Which ants you are likely seeing
UC IPM names the Argentine ant as the most common ant in and around California homes and gardens. If you have a trail of small brown ants in the kitchen, start by assuming it is Argentine ants. Other common household ants in California, per UC IPM:
- Odorous house ants and pavement ants
- Thief ants and Pharaoh ants
- Southern fire ants, which sting
- Carpenter ants and velvety tree ants, which can nest in buildings. Carpenter ants hollow out wood to nest and can cause real damage.
UC IPM also flags the red imported fire ant, an aggressive stinging ant found in several Southern California counties. If you suspect it, UC IPM advises reporting it to your county agricultural commissioner.
Not sure which ant it is? A close photo next to a coin helps a technician tell.
Baits vs perimeter sprays
UC IPM calls baits "a key tool for managing ants" and the only insecticide type it recommends in most situations. Worker ants carry bait back to the nest and share it, which can kill the colony, queens included.
Perimeter sprays around the foundation are the opposite. UC IPM says spraying around the foundation "won't provide permanent control" because it kills the foragers you see, not the colony. Perimeter treatments also carry more environmental risk, and California has limited how pyrethroid insecticides can be used for them. My view: a perimeter spray on its own is poor value for Argentine ants. If a company's whole plan is to spray around the house every visit, ask what they are doing about the nest.
Inside, UC IPM says sprays are usually unnecessary. Wiping up the trail with soapy water and sealing the crack they came through often works as well.
Matching the bait to the ant
UC IPM notes that Argentine ants prefer sweet baits year-round and take protein baits mainly in spring. Thief and Pharaoh ants prefer protein or greasy baits, and fire ants prefer oil-based baits. If one bait is ignored, put out a small dab of a different type and watch which they take. Ignored bait is not working bait.
What you can do this week
- Wash away the trail with soapy water.
- Find the entry point, usually a crack at a window or baseboard, or around a pipe or outlet. Seal it.
- Put sweet ant bait stations along the trail outside the entry point, and leave them alone. Do not spray near the bait; it kills the ants that would carry it home.
- Store sugar and syrup in sealed containers, along with pet food and fruit. Do not leave pet food bowls out all day.
- Check shrubs and trees by the house. UC IPM notes ants feed on honeydew from aphids and scales, as well as mealybugs. The ants protect those insects, so a plant covered in aphids next to the wall can feed a colony all summer.
Keep bait stations out of reach of children and pets, and follow the label. If baits have not cut the trails down in a couple of weeks, or the ants are coming from inside a wall, it is time to call someone.
A licensed technician can find the nests and set a baiting plan that fits the ant you have.
When to call a pro
- Ants keep coming back after a few rounds of bait.
- You see large ants coming out of wood or wall voids. That could be carpenter ants, which UC IPM says can cause considerable damage.
- You are getting stung, or see mounds near where kids play.
- Ants are nesting inside walls or under slabs, or in the attic.
What ant control costs
This Old House (updated March 2026) puts professional ant extermination at $80 to $500 nationally, about $150 on average, with follow-up treatments around $40 to $70 a visit. These are published national figures, not our quote. Ask for a quote before any treatment.
Because ants return every hot season, some homeowners prefer a recurring plan. Compare the two in one-time vs quarterly pest control and see our pest control cost guide.
Getting help
We only refer companies licensed by the California Structural Pest Control Board. You can check a license yourself. If ants are one of several problems, a general pest control visit can cover spiders and roaches at the same time.
Ask a licensed local company for a free inspection.
Questions homeowners ask
Why are ants suddenly in my house in summer?
UC IPM says ants come indoors seeking food and water or shelter, or refuge from dry, hot weather. They can appear suddenly when outdoor food runs short or the weather changes.
What is the most common ant in Bakersfield homes?
UC IPM names the Argentine ant as the most common ant in and around California homes. It is the likely culprit behind most kitchen ant trails.
Should I spray ants or use bait?
UC IPM recommends baits in most situations because workers carry them back to the nest. Sprays kill the ants you see but not the colony, and spraying near bait kills the ants that would carry it home.
How much does ant control cost?
This Old House (March 2026) lists $80 to $500 nationally, about $150 on average, with follow-up visits around $40 to $70.
Are ant baits safe around kids and pets?
Use enclosed bait stations, place them where children and pets cannot reach, and follow the label directions. A technician can place baits in cracks and voids that are out of reach.