Why Do You See More Ants During Summer?

You see more ants during summer for several biological reasons, including the fact that ants are cold-blooded. That means they, like many animals, must change their activity during the cold season to avoid freezing temperatures. Some enter hibernation, and some die off. In spring, they reemerge. Ants come out in multitudes to look for food and build nests. 

When ants make their colonies inside a warm house, they can remain active all year long. That’s why they can be such a frustrating pest to have inside your home. At Lookout Pest Control, we’ve seen it firsthand. Read on for more of our expert tips about ants in the summertime.

Why Are There So Many Ants in the Summer?

When ants emerge in the spring, they’re on a mission. They quickly gather resources and start forming colonies and reproducing. They only have a short amount of time to accomplish what they need to do. 

• There are more ants – this is the time of year that’s ideal for ant biology.
• All types of ants are active this time of year – some ants are active at certain times of year; all ants are active when it’s warm.
• They’re scouting – a lone ant could indicate it’s lost or it’s looking for food.
• They’re gathering – to grow their population, ants need plenty of food, and they’ll look all over for it.

What Brings Ants into Your Home in the Summer?

First of all, ants are coming into your home searching for food and shelter. Remember: ants are cold-blooded, and even during the summer months, the nights can be cooler. Your home will provide ants with the warmth they need. 

Another reason for an ant infestation in your home is a source of water. Moisture is key to ant survival, and your home has plenty of it. 

Lastly, a food source is one of the main reasons for ant infestations. If there is a reliable source of food, ants will come back over and over to collect. 

If you offer any sort of combination of heat, water, and food, then chances are you’re going to end up with a serious ant infestation in your home.

How to Prevent Ants in the Summer

• Seal Food and Drinks – All human and pet food should be stored in sealed containers. Keeping fruits and vegetables on your counter can attract ants. Put them up in hanging baskets or, better yet, inside your refrigerator or freezer. Trash cans need tight-fitting lids or should at least be stored inside cabinets if possible. Also, be sure to rinse out any containers to prevent infestations.
• Clean Up After Yourself – Get rid of an easy food source by doing a thorough cleaning. Keep the floors of your home clean by sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming regularly. Wipe down all of your countertops, making sure to clean up under anything that’s sitting on them, and immediately clean up spills. Eliminate any hidden food crumbs that might be lingering in your cabinets.
• Look For Entry Points – Check for entry points in bricks, cracks in the foundation, openings in the seal around doors and windows, or holes in window screens. Ants will continuously seek out and find new entry points in your home.
• Create Ant Barrier – Bushes, shrubs, and trees should be pruned back. This will keep ants from having a way to access your home. Make sure any firewood stacked up outside is not up against the house, and don’t allow grass, leaves, mulch, or any other clutter to build up against your home’s foundation.

Summer Ant Control Services

At Lookout Pest Control we provide expert ant control services for any problem you may have with an infestation. We can identify the problem and ensure that you get rid of all of the ants causing damage to your home. Furthermore, we can help to prevent future infestations so that you won’t have to worry about ants in the future.

If you need help with stubborn ants in the summer, give us a call. We’ll be happy to provide a free estimate.