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Each year, the Kilauea Pest Control Conference grows a little more.

More team members.
More experience.
More momentum.

But one thing has stayed the same — our commitment to protecting the family feel that makes Kilauea who we are.

Our annual conference is more than a gathering. It is an opportunity for every team to step away from the daily pace of work, connect face to face, celebrate wins, ask questions, and move forward with clearer direction.

Each year builds on the last. After an impactful 2025 conference that focused on industry education and community insight, this year’s gathering carried that momentum forward with even deeper connection and leadership development.

And truly, every year brings more connection than the last.

Here’s a look back at our 2026 Kilauea Pest Control Conference.

Stronger Together: Building Real Connection

One of the most meaningful parts of this year’s conference was simply seeing everyone together in one room.

Team members who usually only speak over the phone.
Field technicians and office staff who rarely cross paths.
New hires meeting long-time leaders.

Watching those conversations happen in person reminds us that while our roles may look different, we are all part of the same team.

As we continue to grow, protecting that closeness matters more than ever. This conference gives us space to laugh, learn, reconnect, and strengthen the relationships that carry into our everyday work.

Recognizing Team Wins and Individual Excellence

Growth deserves to be recognized.

This year, we took time to highlight collective team successes and honor individual team members who demonstrated outstanding performance throughout the year.

From operational improvements to exceptional customer service, the dedication across every team continues to raise the standard for pest control in Hawai‘i.

Celebrating these accomplishments together reinforces what makes Kilauea strong — hardworking people who take pride in their craft and care deeply about the communities we serve.

Learning from Industry Leaders and Local Experts

We were grateful to welcome respected professionals who joined us to share knowledge, answer questions, and provide insight into the future of our industry.

Sanya Brandow-Kettler – Hawaii Territory Manager, NISUS Corporation

With more than two decades of experience in pest control and environmental industries, Sanya brings extensive knowledge in sales, management, and field expertise. Her time with our team provided valuable updates and practical insights that help us continue delivering safe and effective solutions across Hawai‘i.

Alea Pedroza – Area Sales Manager PNW & Hawai‘i, ENVU

Based in Southern California, Alea holds both a Pesticide Certified Applicator License and a Qualified Applicator License in California. She shared technical expertise and answered detailed questions, helping our team stay confident and informed in the field.

Hawaii Department of Agriculture

We were also fortunate to have Adam from the Department of Agriculture join us to address island-specific concerns. Being in Hawai‘i means staying proactive about local challenges, including the ongoing threat of the coconut rhinoceros beetle. His insights into the future of pest management in our state were both timely and important.

Bringing in outside resources ensures we continue growing not only internally, but alongside our industry as a whole.

Ownership Under Pressure with Chad Owens

Another highlight of the conference was hearing from former professional athlete and leadership advocate Chad Owens.

His talk, “Ownership Under Pressure: Building a Winning Mindset in Everyday Work and Life,” spoke directly to the realities of both business and life.

Uncertainty is inevitable.
Challenges will come.
Growth can feel uncomfortable.

But as Chad reminded us:

“Setbacks don’t define you — your response does.”

That mindset applies to every service call, every challenge, and every opportunity in front of us. Choosing ownership, resilience, and forward movement is what builds a winning culture.

Moving Forward with Clarity

This conference is ultimately about fortifying our team.

It is a chance to hear questions about the future of Kilauea.
To align on direction.
To strengthen our foundation.
And to move forward with more intention than the year before.

We work hard for our employees, and we work hard for our customers. Investing in connection, education, and leadership development is one of the ways we make sure we are serving both with excellence.

As we continue to grow, one thing remains unchanged — the family culture that defines Kilauea.

Here’s to building stronger, together.

You just deep-cleaned your home. Floors are spotless, trash is out, surfaces are wiped down… and then suddenly you spot… MORE bugs?!

It feels backwards, especially after all that hard work. But this is actually very common, and there are a few science-backed reasons bugs seem to show up right after you clean.

Let’s break it down.

1. Cleaning Forces Bugs Out of Hiding

Many household pests live in places we rarely see or touch. Under sinks, behind appliances, inside cabinets, and along baseboards are all perfect hiding spots.

When you vacuum, mop, or move furniture, you disrupt those areas. Bugs that were already in your home get flushed out and start moving around, which makes them suddenly visible.

So cleaning did not bring bugs in. It exposed the ones that were already there.

2. Moisture Attracts Pests Fast

In Hawaii, moisture is one of the biggest reasons pests thrive indoors.

Cleaning often leaves behind:

• Damp floors
• Wet sinks
• Moist rags or sponges
• Humid air from open windows

Even small amounts of moisture can attract pests and pull them out of walls, drains, or hidden cracks. This is especially common in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry areas.

3. Cleaning Removes Food, Not the Problem

Before you cleaned, crumbs, spills, and residue may have been keeping pests comfortably hidden.

Once those food sources are gone, bugs are forced to come out and search elsewhere. That increased movement makes it feel like there are suddenly more of them, when in reality they are just more active.

4. Strong Cleaning Scents Can Trigger Activity

Certain cleaning products can disrupt pests and push them out of hiding. Strong scents, citrus-based cleaners, and even some natural products can irritate insects that live in enclosed spaces.

When this happens, bugs move quickly to escape the smell, often right into your line of sight.

5. Cleaning Can Open the Door for Outdoor Pests

Deep cleaning usually means doors and windows are opening more often. Trash goes outside, furniture shifts, and airflow increases.

In Hawaii’s warm climate, many pests live just outside the home and take advantage of these moments to slip inside, especially if entry points are already present.

What To Do After You Clean

Cleaning is still one of the best ways to prevent pests long-term. To make it even more effective, follow up with these steps:

• Dry sinks, counters, and floors completely
• Take trash out right away
• Store food in sealed containers
• Wipe down pet feeding areas
• Close gaps around doors and windows

These small habits help reduce what pests are looking for in your home.

Does This Mean Cleaning Attracts Bugs?

Not at all. Cleaning is one of the most important steps in preventing pests long-term. It removes food sources, reduces clutter, and makes your home less inviting. What cleaning does not always do is eliminate pests that are already living inside walls, under cabinets, or around plumbing.

When you clean, you are often exposing hidden activity, not causing it. Think of it as turning the lights on. You are seeing a problem that was already there, which gives you the chance to fix it early.

When Cleaning Is Not Enough

If you consistently notice bugs right after cleaning, it may be a sign of:

• Hidden nests
• Moisture issues
• Entry points you cannot see
• A growing infestation

At that point, surface-level cleaning will not solve the problem. Professional pest control focuses on prevention, protection, and stopping pests at the source.

Final Thought

Seeing bugs after cleaning is frustrating, but it is also a clue. Your home is showing you what is happening behind the scenes.

A clean home helps. A protected home lasts.

If you want help keeping pests out for good, Kilauea Pest Control is here to help.

Ants are common around homes in Hawaiʻi, but not all ants pose the same level of concern. While many species are simply a nuisance, Little Fire Ants are a serious invasive pest that can damage property and greatly affect daily life if not properly controlled.

Knowing how to identify them and understanding what steps to take if they are suspected can help protect your home, your neighborhood, and Hawaiʻi’s environment.

What Are Little Fire Ants?

Little Fire Ants are an invasive species that are highly adaptable and aggressive. They have been established on Hawaiʻi Island for more than a decade and have also been detected at times on Oʻahu and Maui.

State monitoring and rapid response efforts have helped keep infestations on Oʻahu and Maui under control so far. However, the risk of reintroduction remains high, especially through the movement of plants, soil, and yard debris.

In areas where Little Fire Ants become established, they have the potential to disrupt neighborhoods, damage agricultural operations, and make outdoor spaces uncomfortable or unusable.

How to Identify Little Fire Ants

Little Fire Ants are easy to overlook because of their size, but there are several key traits that help distinguish them from other ants commonly found in Hawaiʻi.

Little Fire Ant Identification Checklist

If you notice multiple of the following signs, further testing is recommended:

• Very small size
  Approximately one sixteenth of an inch long, much smaller than most ants found around homes.
• Light brown to reddish color
  Often lighter in color than common black or dark brown ants.
• Slow-moving behavior
  Tend to move more slowly and deliberately than other ant species.
• Found in plants and trees
  Commonly located in vegetation, potted plants, trees, irrigation lines, and shaded areas, not just on the ground.
• Ants falling from above
  A strong warning sign. Little Fire Ants often drop from plants or trees.
• Painful stings
  Stings cause raised, red welts that can last for days or even weeks.
• Stings on the upper body
  Stings frequently occur on the neck, arms, shoulders, or torso, rather than feet or ankles.

When to Be Concerned

If ants are extremely small, consistently found in plants or trees, and causing painful stings on the upper body, it is important to stop any do it yourself treatment and report the activity for proper identification.

How Little Fire Ants Differ From Regular Ants

Most common ants found around homes in Hawaiʻi tend to share these traits:

• Larger in size
• Dark brown or black in color
• Fast-moving
• Primarily ground nesting
• Rarely found throughout plants or trees
• Cause mild irritation or bites rather than painful welts

Because several ant species can appear similar at a glance, visual identification alone is not enough to confirm Little Fire Ants. Proper testing and expert identification are necessary before any treatment decisions are made.

Where Little Fire Ants Have Been Found in Hawaiʻi

On Oʻahu, Little Fire Ants have previously been identified in areas such as Waimānalo and Mililani. These detections were addressed through coordinated monitoring and treatment efforts and are currently under control.

Continued awareness and early reporting play an important role in preventing the spread of this invasive species.

How Little Fire Ants Can Spread

One of the most common ways Little Fire Ants spread is through the movement of potted plants, soil, and landscaping materials. Because these ants often nest in plants and trees, they can be unintentionally transported when plants are moved from one location to another.

Many nurseries and plant suppliers in Hawaiʻi already follow strict inspection and quarantine practices to reduce this risk. However, even with these safeguards in place, checking new plants before introducing them to your property is a smart precaution.

Homeowners are encouraged to:

• Inspect newly purchased plants carefully
  
• Keep new plants separate from existing landscaping for a short period of time
  
• Monitor for unusually small ants or stings during that time
  

These simple steps can help prevent the accidental spread of Little Fire Ants and support ongoing statewide control efforts.

How Little Fire Ant Inspections Work

The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture uses a simple but effective method to test properties for Little Fire Ant activity.

A small amount of peanut butter is placed on sticks and positioned around the yard, especially near plants and shaded areas. After a short period of time, the sticks are collected and checked for ants. Any ants found are then properly identified by trained specialists.

The Department of Agriculture can provide guidance and testing materials when needed and is highly focused on identifying suspected Little Fire Ant activity.

If Little Fire Ants are suspected, treatment should not be attempted without guidance. Improper treatment can cause colonies to spread and make the problem more difficult to control.

Reporting and Next Steps

Suspected Little Fire Ant activity should be reported to the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture. Their team can conduct a thorough inspection and determine appropriate next steps, which may include treatment of the affected property and nearby areas.

Reporting suspected infestations helps protect individual homes, surrounding neighborhoods, and local agriculture.

Why Little Fire Ants Are Difficult to Control

Little Fire Ants are one of the most challenging ant species to manage. They reproduce quickly, can divide into multiple colonies, and are capable of nesting both on the ground and in trees.

Their ability to spread through plants, landscaping materials, and yard debris makes long term management complex.

Although Little Fire Ant treatment has not yet been required in many areas on Oʻahu, our team has received specialized training from University of Hawaiʻi professionals who are actively managing infestations on Hawaiʻi Island. This training ensures we are prepared to respond effectively if treatment ever becomes necessary.

Final Takeaway

Little Fire Ants are not a typical household ant and should never be ignored.

If you notice unusually small ants, painful stings, or ants consistently found in plants and trees, it is important to report the activity and seek professional guidance rather than attempting treatment on your own.

Early identification and proper response are key to keeping Hawaiʻi protected.