Handle ants yourself vs call a pro for termites: Ants are DIY, termites are not

Ants you can manage with bait and sealing; termites need a pro. For ants, baiting (gel or stations) and sealing cracks works over a week. Termites with mud tubes, wings, or hollow wood require a pest control company—DIY can scatter the colony or miss the queen, and damage adds up fast. Spend energy on ants, money on termite inspection.