Ant control icon Ant Control

Ants: Species, Signs & Ant Control

Professional ant control across South & West Yorkshire, with local pages for Sheffield, Leeds, Barnsley and Rotherham.

Ant control that targets the nest and queen, so the trails don’t come back.

BPCA certified · From £85 +VAT · Treats the queen, not just the trail · No call-out fee · 7 days a week

BPCA CertifiedTreats the Colony7 Days a Week£5M Public Liability
BPCA member
CHAS registered
110+ Reviews
£5M Public Liability Insured
All Payments Accepted

At a Glance

Service
Ant Control
Provider
Apex Pest Control Ltd
Locations
Sheffield, Leeds, Rotherham & Barnsley
Price from
£85 + VAT
Method
Gel bait — clears the colony, not just the trail
Credentials
BPCA certified · £5M insured
What You’re Dealing With

Why Shop-Bought Ant Treatments Rarely Work

Apex Pest Control Ltd provides professional ant control across South and West Yorkshire, treating the nest and the queen rather than just the ants you can see. The team is called out most when sprays and powders from the shop have not solved the problem — and there is a simple reason why.

The ants you see are foraging workers, not the colony. Killing them only reduces the trail you can see; the queen keeps laying and the colony carries on. With some species, repellent sprays make it worse — pharaoh ants and other budding species split into several nests when disturbed, spreading the infestation.

Apex Pest Control Ltd treats the colony at source. Gel bait is carried back along the trail and shared with the queen and the brood, so the whole nest is cleared rather than scattered.

Ant control icon

Ant Profile

Most commonBlack garden ant (Lasius niger)
Indoor pestPharaoh ant (Monomorium pharaonis)
Nest sitesUnder patios, paving, cavities, foundations
The targetThe queen and nest, not the foragers
Flying antsSummer nuptial flight (Jul–Sep)
Treatment from£85 + VAT

Which Ant Have You Got — and Where Do They Nest?

Apex Pest Control Ltd identifies the species first, because the right treatment depends on it. Pharaoh ants in particular must never be sprayed — spraying splits the colony into new nests — so Apex uses species-specific gel baiting that the ants carry back to the queen.

Black garden ant (Lasius niger)

The common UK ant — small and dark, nesting outdoors under patios, paving and driveways, and trailing indoors for sweet food. A nuisance, not a health risk.

Pharaoh ant (Monomorium pharaonis)

A tiny yellow-brown ant of heated buildings, hospitals and care homes. It spreads bacteria and must be treated by baiting only.

Carpenter & other ants

Less common species. Apex Pest Control Ltd confirms exactly which ant it is and chooses the correct method.

Where they nest

Under patios, paving slabs and driveways, in wall cavities and foundations outdoors, and behind worktops, skirting and floors indoors.

Why Professional

Why Use a Professional for Ants?

Apex Pest Control Ltd treats ants properly because the wrong approach wastes money and can spread the problem.

The colony survives DIY

Shop sprays kill the foragers you see, but the queen and the nest carry on producing more ants.

Pharaoh ants spread when sprayed

Repellent treatments split a budding pharaoh ant colony into several nests, making the infestation worse.

A health risk in food & care settings

Pharaoh ants carry Salmonella and other bacteria — a serious issue in kitchens, hospitals and care homes.

Contamination & nuisance

Ants trailing across worktops and into food are unhygienic and persistent without proper, targeted treatment.

How Apex Pest Control Treats Ants

Apex Pest Control Ltd follows a proven, species-led process carried out by a BPCA-certified technician.

  1. Survey & identify

    The technician identifies the species, follows the trails and locates the nest, indoors or out.

  2. Treat the nest & the trail

    Gel bait is placed on the active trails and near the nest. For accessible outdoor black garden ant nests, a residual barrier treatment or insecticidal dust is used as well.

  3. The colony clears

    Foraging ants carry the bait back to the queen and the brood, clearing the whole colony rather than scattering it. Pharaoh ants are always treated by baiting only.

  4. Advice & prevention

    Apex Pest Control Ltd advises on the gaps, food sources and entry points that attract ants, to help keep them from coming back.

£85 + VAT
Ant control, £35 per additional room

Ant control from £85 plus VAT, with £35 per additional room and no call-out fee. The price is confirmed before any work begins.

Customer Reviews

What Our Customers Say

"Apex are wonderful — quick to respond, always punctual and great at communicating. Tony is so knowledgeable and trustworthy, always reassuring and positive. We first called Apex almost 40 years ago and wouldn’t use anyone else."

Gill & Mike Hughes
Sheffield · Google

"Tony was very knowledgeable, professional and polite. He didn’t even need to carry out treatment — he advised me how to deal with the problem, which was very comforting. I strongly recommend them."

Alan Goodson
Sheffield · Google

"A gem of a company — we have used them for around five years. Tony never overplays the treatment needed and gives very considered, knowledgeable advice."

HB
Yorkshire · Trustpilot

Rated 4.9/5 from 110+ reviews across our Google (Sheffield & Barnsley) and Trustpilot profiles.

How Much Does Ant Control Cost?

Fixed price, no call-out fee. We confirm the price before any work begins.

Prices from

£85

+ VAT  ·  £35 per additional room · no call-out fee

  • Species identification and full survey included
  • Gel bait that clears the colony at the queen
  • Fixed price confirmed before treatment begins
  • Advice on entry points and what attracts ants

Commercial and pharaoh-ant treatment is tailored — contact us for a free survey. Every job is quoted upfront, all plus VAT.

Why Choose Apex for Ant Control?

Apex Pest Control Ltd is a BPCA-certified, family-run Yorkshire business. Founder Tony Johnson has 40 years' experience, and every treatment targets the colony, not just the ants on the surface.

BPCA Certified

Every technician holds current BPCA certification — the recognised UK standard for professional pest control.

From £85, Fixed Price

A fixed price from £85 plus VAT, confirmed before treatment, with £35 per additional room. No call-out fee.

Treats the Queen, Not Just the Trail

Apex uses gel bait the ants carry back to the queen, clearing the whole colony rather than scattering it.

Correct Species, Correct Method

Black garden ants and pharaoh ants need different treatment — Apex identifies the species and treats it the right way.

Available 7 Days a Week

Monday to Friday 08:00–19:00 and Saturday to Sunday 08:00–13:00.

£5M Public Liability

Fully insured to £5M public liability, so you are protected on every visit.

Coverage

Where Do We Provide Ant Control?

Apex Pest Control Ltd covers South and West Yorkshire from four local offices. Choose your nearest area below for local availability, response times and area-specific advice.

Sheffield

Ant control in Sheffield and surrounding areas.

Ant control in Sheffield

Rotherham

Ant control across Rotherham and nearby towns.

Ant control in Rotherham

Barnsley

Ant control throughout Barnsley and the surrounding area.

Ant control in Barnsley

Leeds

Ant control across Leeds and West Yorkshire.

Ant control in Leeds
Commercial & Healthcare

Pharaoh Ants in a Hospital, Care Home or Food Business?

The pharaoh ant is a heated-building pest that spreads bacteria and must be controlled by baiting only. Apex Pest Control Ltd treats pharaoh and other ants for hospitals, care homes, kitchens and food businesses across South and West Yorkshire, working alongside your hygiene and infection-control needs.

Commercial Pest Control

About Ants — Facts & Behaviour

A little ant biology explains why treating the nest beats spraying the trail.

Up to 10,000workers in a black garden ant colony
50mhow far a foraging trail can reach
Jul–Sepwhen flying ants take to the air
Flying ants are the winged queens and males of the black garden ant, taking off on warm, humid days in summer to mate and start new colonies. They are harmless, and Apex Pest Control Ltd can treat the nest they came from.
Shop sprays and powders kill the ants you see, but not the queen, so the colony recovers. On pharaoh ants they make it worse by splitting the colony. Apex treats the nest at source with bait the ants carry to the queen.
No — the black garden ant is a nuisance rather than a health risk, and its bite cannot break skin. Pharaoh ants are different, as they can carry bacteria in food and care settings.
Yes. Apex Pest Control Ltd places gel bait into cracks and out of reach, and chooses products and methods to be safe around children and pets when used as directed. For garden ants, a natural option such as nematodes can suit some situations — the technician will advise on the safest, most effective approach.

Ant Control — Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions we hear most often. If yours is not listed, call us on 0114 349 1098.

Apex Pest Control Ltd provides ant control from £85 plus VAT, with £35 per additional room and no call-out fee. The price is confirmed before any work begins, all plus VAT.
Shop sprays and powders kill the foraging ants you see, but not the queen, so the colony recovers. On pharaoh ants they make it worse by splitting the colony. Apex Pest Control Ltd treats the nest at source.
Apex Pest Control Ltd uses gel bait that foraging ants carry back to the queen and the brood, clearing the whole colony rather than just the trail you can see. The nest is treated at source.
Ants nest under patios, paving slabs and driveways, in wall cavities and foundations outdoors, and behind worktops, skirting and floors indoors. Apex Pest Control Ltd locates the nest before treating.
Flying ants are the winged queens and males of the black garden ant, taking off on warm, humid days in summer to mate and start new colonies. They are harmless, and the nest they came from can be treated.
Yes. Apex Pest Control Ltd treats pharaoh and other ants in hospitals, care homes, kitchens and food businesses by baiting only, working alongside your hygiene needs — through its commercial pest control service.
Black garden ants are a nuisance rather than a health risk, and their bite cannot break skin. Pharaoh ants are different, as they can carry bacteria, which is why they need professional, bait-only treatment.

Get Rid of Ants for Good

Ants trailing through your home or business? Apex Pest Control Ltd treats the nest and the queen across South and West Yorkshire from £85 plus VAT, no call-out fee, 7 days a week — so the colony is cleared, not just the ants you can see.

BPCA CertifiedTreats the Colony7 Days a Week£5M Insured