Updated November 2, 2026 · Reviewed by a licensed Uniform pest control operator before publication. Product labels and your technician's written instructions always come first.
Why trails return
- The colony wasn't reached: surface sprays kill foragers, not the nest
- Some species split into new colonies when disturbed
- Food, water or moisture is still available
- Entry points are still open
- Rain and irrigation push colonies indoors
What a professional checks
- Which species it is, because baits and methods differ
- Where the colony is nesting: walls, landscaping, under slabs or in potted plants
- How they're getting in: utility lines, door gaps, window frames, plants touching the house
- Moisture sources such as leaks and condensate lines
- Whether a lawn-wide program is needed, which is a separate license category
Non-chemical prevention checklist
- Wipe counters and sweep crumbs daily
- Store food and pet food in sealed containers
- Fix drips and leaks
- Trim plants and branches back from the house
- Keep mulch a few inches away from the foundation
- Seal small gaps around pipes and wires
We don't share pesticide recipes or application instructions. If you use a store product, read and follow its label exactly; the label is the law. See EPA: understanding pesticide labels.