Are Ants Still Active When the Winter Comes?
In the case when the air becomes cold and days become shorter, a lot of people believe that ants leave their homes altogether in the winter. You just don’t see them in your kitchen counters in a march and erecting trails by the windows like they do in summertime. But do ants not fly away when it is cold? The fact is that, ants do not just disappear, they transform the way and the place of their residence.
Knowledge of what happen to ants during winter enables people to know why at times infestations happen even in cold seasons, and what they can do about them.
Ants Will not die in winter they evolve.
Ants are insects that are cold blooded meaning that they derive their body temperature through the surrounding environment. Ants are unable to regulate the warmth within themselves as mammals do when winter sets in. They do not perish, but enter a condition of dormancy called diapause- like hibernation.
In the state of diapause, the metabolism of the ants decelerates, foraging ceases, and they retreat further underground or into structures that are warm. To preserve heat and moisture the colonies close up their nests. That is the way they can withstand freezing. Thus another thing is that you may not find them crawling in your house or in your garden, but they are nevertheless alive under the ground, just waiting until it warms up.
Whither Shall the Ants fly in Fallen Time?
The wintering activity of the various species of ants is slightly different, although the general tendency is similar:
Underground nests: Some species nest deep into the soil beneath the frost line where the temperature stays consistent e.g. pavement ants and field ants.
Interior walls and foundations: The ants can find shelter behind the drywall, close to insulation, or warm basements in case they have access to your house. These regions present the perfect climate and weather conditions to endure winter.
In the shade of rocks, logs, or litter: In the house-yards or gardens, ants will dwell in the natural shelters, entraping the heat and water.
Ants seek any place which can be covered with protection against the freezing air and some remaining warmth. That consists of artificial areas such as garages, crawlspaces or corners of foundations.
Why in Winter Still see you see Ants?
Although the majority of ants reduce their activities in cold months, some of them can be occasionally viewed. Here are a few common reasons:
Colonies indoors: When ants have set up nest within your heated house, they always have a semi-active year round. Smaller populations that are housed indoors where food and warmth are available, can keep them on the move.
Mild winters: In moderately climatic areas or those that are short in the duration of frosting, ants may remain slightly active outdoors.
Disturbed nests: The construction or alteration of the weather may cause a temporary displacement of the dormant colonies of ants.
When ants are observed inside the house during the winter, then it normally means the colony is not outside, but inside the building itself.
And Is There a problem of Ants in Winter?
Though the ants are not so active, they also may become a problem:
They may contaminate food supplies in case they nest in kitchens or pantries.
When wooden buildings have nests of carpenter ants, they can still cause damage to the building.
Once the temperature returns again, hidden colonies can easily be filled.
The winter leaves the pests with ample time to multiply without interruption in the sheltered areas preparing a significant issue in the spring.
How to Keep Ants out in winter.
Prevention is the most effective way of dealing with the problem of winter ants. To reduce the possibility of unwanted guests, the following steps may be taken:
Close openings: Check windows, doors and cracks in the foundation. It only takes a hairline opening to be penetrated by ants.
Eliminate the sources of food: Put all food (bread and sweets, in particular) into airtight containers. Clean up spills as soon as possible and clean counters as often as possible.
Wipe off moisture: Seal leaks or faucets and decrease the humidity, since the majority of the ant species become attracted to wet environments.
Declare outdoor areas free: clear firewood, leaf piles and debris near exterior walls as these serve as shelter areas.
Arrange professional inspection: It is possible to find the hidden colonies, treat the problem areas and install prevention barriers by a pest control specialist to ensure the long-term protection.
It is not only pest control in winter that is needed but is targeting where they are hiding before they become a bigger problem in spring.
The use of Speedy Pest Control.
We know that pest control does not stop at the lower temperatures at Speedy Pest Control. Our professional technicians provide holistic ant control which aims at both active and inactive colonies. We find nesting sites, apply safe and effective treatment procedures and develop unique prevention strategies that will ensure a permanent eviction of ants.
The professional winter inspection and treatment strategy of either the carpenter ants, pavement ants or the sugar ants will keep your home safe all year long. The more preventive measures are taken in the past the better you can be able to prevent the spring infestation and structural damages.
When winter comes, one may not see ants, but they are there, they are just lying on the surface. As the weather changes to warm, they soon spring back to activity in search of food and increase their colonies. You can have an ant-free home throughout all seasons by now doing something to ensure the safety of your home and hiring professional help when necessary.
Speedy Pest Control is there to ensure that the homeowners remain pest-free even during the cold months. When the ant activity becomes abnormal in the winter season, do not leave it until spring, act in time and ensure your home is not accessible to the ant.