You may not think that ants can be a problem for your Phoenix home in the winter months, but ant activity does persist in colder weather. Understanding the winter activity of ants and utilizing prevention steps is the best way to beat these pests.
Wintertime Ant Activity
While it's true that ant activity does decrease during the winter, it doesn't mean that you won't see these pests out and about, especially if they are already in your home. Phoenix may not have the coldest winters, but ants can sense the change in weather and will lower their body temperature for survival, causing them to move about more slowly and hunker down underneath rocks, near their nests, or under the bark on trees.
Additionally, because ants are cold-blooded, they need some form of warmth to survive. Your home will often become a target for ants during this time due to the abundance of warmth, food, and shelter inside.
If you see ants in your home during the winter, they have likely established a colony within the structure; this is especially true of carpenter ants who prefer to tunnel into the wooden areas of your house to make their nests. You can look out for several signs that may indicate you have an ant problem in your home.
- A trail of ants walking through your home can be a major sign of infestation as they are likely following the same pheromone trail to and from food or a satellite nest in your home.
- You may see piles of wood shavings in your house left behind from carpenter ants tunneling. You'll typically find these piles alongside windowsills, baseboards, and near doors.
- Discarded ant wings may be another sign of an infestation, depending on the type of ant you have in your home. You will likely find wings on floors, near baseboards, or on windowsills.
- If you are experiencing a carpenter ant infestation, you may hear a rustling noise in your walls caused by the ants creating colonies in the wooden structures. This activity can be a major source of damage and costly repairs if not addressed as soon as possible.
Preventing Ant Invasions
There are several prevention tips that you can undertake to ensure that ants stay out of your home.
- Identify and seal up all potential entry points around your house. You should pay special attention to gaps and cracks in window or door screens and may want to ensure that all exterior doors are closed as often as possible. Also, replace damaged weatherstripping or door sweeps.
- Regularly clean and vacuum your house and declutter secluded areas such as basements, garages, and storage areas. Keeping your home clean can help you detect ants that may have found their way inside and eliminate any hiding places.
- Seal up all food leftovers, waste, and trash and store or dispose of them as promptly as possible. Make sure also to clean up food and liquid spills as soon as they happen and try not to leave dirty dishes out for too long, as the aroma of these items are a major ant attractant.
Efficient Wintertime Ant Control
Once ants move into your home, the only real way to get rid of an infestation, especially an invasion of carpenter ants tunneling in hard-to-reach areas, is to contact Overson Pest Control for professional assistance. Our experts can locate the source of your pest problems and provide efficient solutions so your home can be free of pests.