If the place you are living is cold or probably it is winter, you may notice ants coming into your house. Ants just like humans will move to find a warm place or shelter during winter or cold season. It is during this time, you will see less of ants’ activities or become less active. But still, you may want to get rid of ant infestation in your home during this period.
How do you get rid of ants in the winter? Getting of ants in the winter shouldn’t be a hard task. You can get rid of those tiny, small black ants with ant baits. While still at it, always make sure your house doesn’t have the things that attract ants. This includes, cleaning, removing trash and storing your food properly.
To get rid of ants effectively during winter, you must find their nesting area or colony. Otherwise killing the ants on sight will only get rid of a handful meanwhile the main issue will still be unresolved. If things, do not work for you, call a professional. Sometimes it can be overwhelming doing it alone.
This article has outlined in details how to get rid of the ants in the winter. Keep on reading to find everything that can be of help to eliminate the ants. Read more.
Do small or Tiny Black Ants Hibernate in the Winter?
Ants are cold blooded pest. Whenever it gets freezing cold, they begin to search for a warm place. It is not surprisingly to see an ant infestation in your house. They move into you house to hibernate just like most cold blooded animals would do. It is for the reason ants are not as many during colder month as they are in the hotter weather. Your home is perfectly place for them to hibernate restlessly.
How do Ants Survive Winter?
Ants will move from cold or freezing places to warm areas to survive the cold. They do this carefully and you will notice their nests under rocks or leaves and near or beneath the roots of a tree. This can help to keep them warm. As put, ants will hibernate to survive the harsh cold weather. Some will find their way into you house and hide under crevices or cracks especially in the kitchen.
Is it common to have ants in the winter?
Absolutely yes! It is common to see ants coming into your home during winter and rainy seasons. Once they come into your home, they are more likely to build a nest and establish a colony in your home. Ants coming into your house during winter can be a sign of infestation. Be sure to deal with the ants before the problem gets out of hand, otherwise you may be forced to call a professional exterminator.
What do Ants do in the winter?
Winter is an extremely harsh condition for these tiny black ants to survive. They are forced to find means and ways to cope or survive the season. Some ants will choose to live under the rocks receiving heat there, while others can live under decomposing leaves for that same reason. It is also common to see some ant species building mounds just to keep warm.
Basically, when winter comes the behavior of small black ants’ changes, as clearly described above.
Do Ants Die in the Winter?
Winter is already a harsh season for these tiny creatures. Some ant species have somehow a relatively long life. Some can live up to 15 years. What this basically means is that unlike some other insects, ants are most likely to survive cold season.
But it is obvious with harsh condition some ants are likely to die while others will go into hibernation mode or find a means to keep themselves warm. This is why your house becomes their major target.
Do Ants Store Food for Winter?
Ants are not known to store food during winter season. Only for one type of ant species known as messor aciculatus, which is known to be so active during winter. It collects and store seeds as food and use the seeds to survive the cold season.
Most ants would rather not store food but prefer eating so much to put on fat to survive the winter. We also have another type of ant species called the winter ant but they rarely infest homes.
What are the common types of ants that are likely to invade your home during winter?
Here are the kind of ant species that are you are mostly likely to encounter in your house during winter.
Black Carpenter ants
As the winter season begins, carpenter ants are the most likely to invade your house. These tiny black ants come to your house to hibernate. But still, if the temperature outside your house is not low, the carpenter ants will less go into hibernation mode.
But if they successfully manage to build their nest in your house, carpenter ants will still be active throughout the entire winter period. The reason is obvious, once you start to warm your home they will stay in the house and still actively live like summer period. This is where you begin with plans to eliminate them.
Odorous House Ants
Just like many ant species, odorous house ants are more active during summer and spring. When it gets cold, they will move in their colony to keep warm. You are likely to encounter odorous house ants near the heaters and inside insulated walls.
Pavement Ants
These are the most common types you are most likely to encounter during winter. Their nest can be found under driveways, sidewalks or beneath a heated concrete foundation. They do so to keep themselves warm until the coldest season is over. But still if their nest is warm enough the will remain active throughout the season.
Tiny Black Ants
Tiny black ants are also common in the winter. They build their nest in warm places and this could be anywhere in your house.
Fire Ants
Fire ants are quite the creepy type. During winter, fire ants will go to dig deeper and settle in the deeper end of the mound. This is where they will peacefully hibernate throughout the coldest season. Although do not be surprised to find them in your house.
Small Brown Ants
Small brown are known to prey on other insects and collect waste. Just like any other type of ant species, they might enter your house looking for food but most would prefer living outdoors.
How to Get Rid of Ants in the Winter
Getting rid of ants shouldn’t be a problem. Here are some of the steps to follow:
1. Keep Your Home Clean Always
This is one of the basic but effective way to get rid of ants in your house during the coldest season. Anything that attracts ants in your house should be removed from your house. Left over foods are to be thrown into the trash. It will prevent infestation of ants in your house.
Cleanliness is key. Seal all the pantry products in containers or plastic bags. Avoid wastage of food by keeping the food in refrigerator, clean the floors.
2. Seal Entry Points
Ants find their way into your house through openings, holes and cracks or crevices. During winter ants will most likely find a warm place to live to survive the coldest season. Your house is therefore the target since it provides the warmth these small creatures to live.
Make sure all the entry points are sealed such that ants do not find a way into your house.
3. Insecticide
If you encounter ants around your house during the winter, an ant bait might work for you. If a few ants eat the bait, they will carry the bait to the colony for the queen to eat and kill the entire colony.
Here are some of the best ant baits we have recommended for to use for various ant species during winter.
TERRO T300B Liquid Ant Bait Ant Killer, 12 Bait Stations
