Look for trailing ants. If foragers are moving solid food away from the structure, focus your inspection outdoors. If foragers are moving solid food into the structure, focus on the interior or crawlspace.

Locating trailing ants is critical. Have your customer pre-bait the ants before you arrive, if they are willing. Have them place a food source like honey, syrup, etc. in areas where they have seen ants (use a piece of wax paper for easy cleanup).

Customers can give vital information that will focus your inspection. When an ant colony is in a wall void or under the structure, foraging ants can find food in the structure even during a rain event. Ask if the activity stops when it is raining.

As their name suggests, pavement ants are found around driveways, sidewalks, pavers, retaining walls and other concrete areas. They like to nest where people walk, making them more noticeable. Focus liquid applications around these areas.

At some point, everyone has applied a bait that was ignored by trailing ants. One reason might be the colony fragment is not looking for food but is moving between nesting sites. Try several baits to determine which is most effective.