Got a Winter ant infestation? Here's Why...
Whether you are seeing ants crawling around your home right now or not, they are certainly taking advantage of your resources. In the winter, ants and many other pests enter a phase called diapause, a state similar to hibernation mode where the metabolism slows and activity lessens. While you might think that means seeing fewer ants around your property, the reality is that they are using your property to their advantage.
You may not find ants inside, but that doesn't mean they aren't waiting in the wings for the chill of winter to dissipate. Many people see large upticks in ant activity during the summer and fall as these pests forage so that they have enough resources to get them through a harsh winter season.
But there are instances when ants need more than what they were able to grab before the winter hit, and that's when people start seeing ants all over their homes. They populate around pet food, dirty dishes, and warm places in your home. While we always recommend that you maintain cleanliness throughout your home, that's really just a temporary solution to a much larger problem.
In this blog, we will explore everything you need to know about winter ant infestations and what you can do to stop them.
Understanding Ant Biology and Behavior
It all begins with knowing ants on a deeper level. Ants are cold-blooded and often less active in winter months, depending on where you live. However, if they are able to stay warm, they can remain active year-round.
Their behavior is largely determined by the health of the colony, and they will do what they can to conserve energy, but if there's a shortage of food and water, they will not hesitate to seek out resources within your home.
Identifying Ant Infestations in Winter
Let's say you don't see any ants crawling around. Does that mean you don't have to worry about them? Unfortunately, no. Regardless of whether you see them or not, the only real way to know if you have a colony on your property is through professional pest control and inspections.
Their ultimate goal is to find warmth, food, and any sort of moisture they can in order to survive. Your home is a place that fulfills all of that and then some for these pests. They could be hiding in your home's foundation, wall voids, door and window frames, cabinets, and many other spots. Without a professional eye who can scout out pest activity, it's hard to make the determination yourself unless you are seeing ants running around your home.
Common Winter Ants You May See Inside
Not all ants are looking to find their way into your home, but there are a few species that you can certainly anticipate finding in your kitchen cabinet, near pet food bowls, or even near your home's foundation. These ant species include:
Pavement ants
Odorous house ants
What Attracts Ants?
When referring to most pests, we typically mention what we call the Pest Trinity: food, water, and shelter. The three of those things work together to create an ideal environment for persistent pests, and that includes winter ants.
If you are seeing a few ants or entire ant trails roaming around your home, they are likely attracted to:
Food crumbs on counters
Pet food that's been left out
Water bowls on the ground
Moist areas like bathrooms
Food in trash cans
Warmth that your home provides
While some of these things can be avoided, like leaving food out, others are more difficult, like the warmth of your home.
Preventing Winter Ant Infestations
Keeping winter ants at bay doesn't have to be a daunting task. We recommend starting out by:
Sealing all cracks and crevices to prevent ants from finding any entry points.
Keep your home clean and free of food debris.
Remove standing water and moisture to discourage ant activity.
Keep your home well-ventilated to reduce humidity.
Consider using natural ant repellents, such as citrus peels or vinegar, to keep ants at bay.
If you use all of these tactics and still find yourself with ants crawling around your home, it may be time to call in for backup. Greenix Pest Control can help you tackle even the most persistent ant problems, no matter what time of year.
With most ants, it's hard to find the colony. Typically, you won't find a colony inside, just worker ants. We offer our services so that we can dig deeper and uncover where these pesky winter ants have come from, taking them out at the source.
Effective Solutions for Getting Rid of Ants in Winter
In order to get rid of ants, you need to locate the entire colony. Of course, there are ways to repel ants, like using cinnamon, cayenne, and citrus scents around your home, but if they are in survival mode, they may not be deterred by this.
Bait traps are also effective to some degree if you're looking to protect your food, but ultimately, they don't work against an entire colony.
When you have an ant infestation, the most effective treatment is one delivered by the Pest Nerds at Greenix. Not only can we identify the ant species, giving us unique insights into how to treat them, but we also implement treatments that prevent future infestations.
