first time spraying for ants in north jersey, what the hell am i doing wrong?

been a newbie tech for like 3 months now, out here in north jersey where everything is wet and buggy as hell, and im supposed to do perimeter sprays but my first solo job i used Talstar P and the ants came back in a week, charged the lady $250 for the initial and shes pissed calling me back already. saw a thread on r/pestcontrol about using bait stations instead of just spraying, but my boss says liquid is fine for fire ants around here. watched a Roger Wakefield video on perimeter treatments and he swears by bifenthrin mixes, but im nervous about overapplying and getting complaints. anyone got tips for a greenhorn like me before i screw up another job? FML, this ant hill in the mulch is mocking me.

Switch to gel baits like Advion for indoor trails, works way better than spraying everything.

PE companies are buying up every local pest outfit and jacking prices, now we cant even afford good techs.

Man i feel that, my first ant job the customer laughed at me fumbling the sprayer, total embarrassment.

Same here brother, took me 6 months to not feel like a total idiot on calls.

Bifenthrin is solid, but in jersey rain, go with a surfactant to make it stick, saves callbacks.

Insurance rates for pest guys are insane now, one bad slip and youre paying out the ass for claims.

Homeowners think were miracle workers, call back day 1 if one ant survives, total BS.

Never go without a moisture barrier first, ants love damp foundations, seal it or theyll keep coming.

Haha, had a customer in a similar spot who named her ant infestation 'jerry' and wanted me to 'talk to him' before spraying.

These new regs on pesticide use are killing small ops, cant even treat without a full hazmat suit anymore.

Told my buddy to try termite tubes for hidden nests, he laughed til it saved his ass on a callback.

SharkBite for pest? Nah, but seriously, bait gels over sprays any day, less mess and drama.

Dude, dont trust the label 100%, test a small area first or youll have dead grass everywhere lol.

Just up the concentration slightly next time, but watch for regs, dont wanna get fined.

Try mixing in some dish soap for better adhesion, old trick from my first boss, works wonders in wet weather.

Orkin and Terminix monopolizing the market, squeezing us independents til we cant breathe.

Big box stores selling cheap sprays to DIYers, then they call us to fix the mess, rage inducing.

Commercial clients demanding impossible guarantees, one roach and they cancel the whole contract, screwed every time.