Observance marks the start of a months-long campaign spotlighting one of the most overlooked pest threats, and the professionals who know how to effectively treat them

April 6, 2026, FAIRFAX, VA – Despite their small size, ants are one of the most underestimated pests in the country, capable of damaging property and triggering serious health reactions depending on the species. According to a survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the National Pest Management Association, 31% of Americans have dealt with ant problems in their home more than once, which can be a telling sign that the root cause is not always being addressed.

For its inaugural Ant Awareness Week, April 12-18, 2026, the Professional Pest Management Alliance is calling on pest control companies nationwide to rally together with a unified message: ants are not a do-it-yourself problem, and the right solution starts with a professional.

"People see ants and think they can handle the infestation themselves and that instinct can be costly," said Alliance Executive Director Jim Fredericks. "Less than 1 in 4 Americans (24%) can actually tell the difference between ant species and that distinction matters when it comes to the risks at stake. Trained pest control professionals know what they're looking at, the source of the infestation and how to stop it for good. Ant Awareness Week is how we make sure consumers know why to call a pro first."

The Alliance is encouraging pest control companies to get involved by:

• Posting ant-focused content throughout the week and tagging it with #AntAwarenessWeek to plug into the national conversation and get expert information in front of homeowners and businesses who need it.
• Amplifying content from @PestWorld on Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube and @PestWorldOfficial on Instagram to help the campaign reach as far as possible. · Downloading the Ant Awareness Week marketing toolkit on AllianceMainframe.org, which is available exclusively to Mainframe subscribers and packed with ready-to-use social posts, a customizable press release and more.

"Ant Awareness Week is just the start," said Fredericks. "This is the launch of a sustained, months-long push to change the way Americans think about ants and to position our industry as the go-to source for answers. The more companies that get behind this, the louder our collective voice becomes."

The campaign will continue building through the spring and summer — prime time for ant activity across the U.S. — with the launch of a large-scale campaign, ongoing consumer content, media outreach and industry tools designed to keep the issue in the spotlight and keep homeowners reaching out to pest control professionals.

To learn more about the Alliance’s mission to grow, promote, protect and defend the pest management industry, and Mainframe, an online digital marketing agency powered by the Alliance, visit www.NPMAPestWorld.org/Alliance.

###

Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of NPMA between January 29 – February 02, 2026 among 2,087 U.S. adults ages 18+. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, please contact NPMATeam@vaultcommunications.com.

About the Professional Pest Management Alliance

The Professional Pest Management Alliance is the voice of the industry, driving demand for professional pest control through innovative marketing programs that educate consumers and earn their trust. Since 1997, the Alliance has grown awareness of the essential role pest management professionals play in protecting health, foo, and property, creating market conditions that help businesses of all sizes grow stronger, faster. It actively manages the consumer website, PestWorld.org, and social media channels as @PestWorld on Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube and @PestWorld Official on Instagram. For more information, please visit AllianceMainframe.org or NPMAPestWorld.org/Alliance.