Date Posted: January 11, 2019 You are used to seeing ants scurrying around your patio or driveway, ant hills protruding out of your grass, and even ants who’ve made their way into your home marching in a trail toward your pantry in warm months. Seeing ants in your home in New England in the winter could signal a serious problem, though. What Happens to Ants in WinterIn the winter months, most ants go into hibernation mode. Their body temperatures drop and they become sluggish. They prepare their colony for winter, sealing up their ant holes and burrowing into the warmer ground or behind tree bark. How Ants Survive the WinterUnlike humans, ants can go for a long time without food. They eat a lot of food in the fall to fatten up and prepare for winter. They huddle in groups to stay warm and protect the queen in a dormant state. What It Means if You See Ants in the WinterIf you see ants outdoors in the winter, it’s likely there’s been a warm spell that tricked them into coming out to seek food. Once the temperatures drop again, they will go back into hibernation. If you are seeing ants inside your home in the winter, it likely means that they’ve formed a colony inside somewhere. While they won’t come indoors from outside in the winter, they will certainly remain active if they are already there. Why You Should Call in the ProfessionalsWhile ants in your home at any time of the year becomes a nuisance that you don’t want to deal with, ants in your home in the winter is a much bigger problem. Having an ant colony infest your walls, attic, basement, or even pantry, can be damaging to your family and home. At a minimum, ants can invade your pantry and spoil your food. At worst, some ants, like carpenter ants, can actually cause structural damage. Our professional technicians are experts in dealing with ants in New England homes. We will work with you on exclusion techniques to eradicate the colony and rid your home of these pesky ants. Call us as soon as possible if you suspect a winter ant infestation! Tags: ant control | ants | WHAT HAPPENS TO ANTS DURING THE WINTER The most common pest problem of all time, would probably be that of the persistent ant. These dense black colonies can cause a colossal damage to the structural stability of any home or business owner’s premises – a guaranteed nightmare after they start digging into wood to securely build their nests. Ants are more likely to invade your home during hot and dry conditions. Throughout intemperate rainfall which may lead to flooding of their colonies, ants will seek dryer foundations. This certainly does not mean they will disappear during the winter. Where would they migrate to then? Ants, like many other insects, hibernate during the colder winter months. When their body temperature drops, they become slack and slow moving. It is during the active summer months that colony preparation sets them up for their isolation period. All openings and ant holes are sealed off while tunneling deeper into warmer ground; under rocks and behind the bark of trees. The main ant colony would often be located outside in the yard. More nests could be found inside your home, near the kitchen and bathroom where the walls are warmer. Frosty Foragers Some ant species will however continue to scavenge outside in colder temperatures during the winter months. Any food supply to them would be like honey to a bee. Algae, moss or spore producing plants are instant attractions to ants. Not only is this a valuable food source, but also a secure hideout. This may lead to the attraction of other ants and more insects, potentially invading your home. Hiding out Haven Where most insects tend to hibernate during the colder winter months, ants seek shelter for warmth and safety. They hide away from predators like spiders, flies, beetles and wasps. Ants mine through deeper ground in order to stack away their food supply, as well as interacting with other ants in the colony. This creates a rather stable temperature which guards them for survival against influential elements. For some predators it is a challenging task to tunnel through frosted ground. This offers them security and warmth in return. Behind enemy lines A home is a prime spot to invade when looking for food and shelter, especially for winter on its way. Food crumbs of any sort are gathered and carried across, by tunneling their way through and storing it away. To discourage ants from sharing your home during the colder months, when you least need an infestation, avoid potential attractions for them, particularly food. These tiny little soldiers have prominent characteristics which places them in the social category – they have a division of labor between worker and reproductive ants, an overlap of generations and they take care of their young. Ants are extremely tenacious, determined and masters of cooperation. They are able to detect any food source in short supply as well as finding asylum when there seems to be none. You might not be aware of the small cracks and crevices in your home, giving them easier access to stay for the winter. Regularly check your walls, the skirting board sections, inside and outside windows, windowsills, screen doors and door sweeps for any traces of ants before they make themselves comfortable in your home. Avoiding ants As tiny as ants are, they can cause the most destructive damage to any property of any sort. You may find them blitzing your cupboards, invading your pantry and other food supplies and being a nuisance when seeking space. Carpenter ants may even damage the building foundation and affect the stability of the home. It is extremely difficult to get rid of them on your own. Call Sydneys Best Pest Control on 1300 760 045 for a free quote before securing your booking with us. We have a team of successful and professional technicians who will assist you in the best possible treatment plan. Don’t delay. Do it today! Further reads: Ant control Choose a Professional Pest control service All about ants How can I prevent ants What months are ants most active?To make matters worse, the ants are more active at night than in the daytime and some colonies go dormant during the winter. (The colony is most active during the spring and summer.) In the summer months, swarms of winged carpenter ants (both male and female) leave the colony.
What month do you get ants?Fact is, there is no single “ant season.” Ants may choose to enter buildings at any time of year seeking shelter from the elements, whether that means rain and cold or dry heat. And, of course, food and moisture are always attractants. You don't particularly care whether it's the right season.
What time of year is ant season?Seasonality For Ants
Ants need warm weather to thrive, so spring, summer, and fall are when they're most active. In the winter, most will hibernate, but some will die and others will move indoors. If you don't currently have an ant infestation in your home, summer is often the time of year when it will happen.
Why do ants suddenly appear?Whenever there's a sudden ant infestation, the most likely cause of it is that there's food somewhere in your house for them. Most ants are opportunistic feeders; they'll eat just about anything. But they usually prefer sweets.
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What time of year do you see ants?
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