ARE ANTS STILL ACTIVE IN THE FALL?
Now that summer is coming to a close, you may think that your time of dealing with pesky ants is coming to an end – for this year anyway. You may be surprised to learn though, that this is simply not the case. Ants, although they are more active during this warm weather season, are not just a summer pest that will magically disappear on September 22. In fact, if the temperatures are warm enough and there is enough food, ants can remain active throughout the entire year.
Where Do Ants Go In The Winter?
Living here in the Northeast, the outside temperatures drop to freezing and below which forces colonies outside to burrow deep inside their nest in the ground to keep warm. These ants will huddle together and reserve their energy only to emerge again in spring. But, when ants have successfully created a satellite colony in the temperature controlled voids inside your walls or under your floors, they will remain active all winter.
If those ants happen to be carpenter ants, then you have a lot more to worry about than ants in your sugar bowl! This is because carpenter ants will actually tunnel through the wooden structure of your home; not to eat the wood like termites do, but to create nesting galleries for their ever-expanding colony. Over time, this habit can damage the structure of your home and the integrity of any wooden belongings inside.
Odorous house ants are another species that typically remain alive and well all winter long throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Odorous house ants love to build their nests inside wall voids, giving them the warmth they need and the access to your pantry that they desire.
Pharaoh ants are a bit different than the other types mentioned above. They do not typically survive cold, harsh winters if they’re outside. If they make their way indoors… well, that’s a whole other story. Let’s just say there’s a risk these pests will contaminate food supplies. More concerning is their reputation for transmitting diseases like Strep, Staff, and salmonella.
Time and space would prevent us from discussing little black ants, pavement ants, and Argentine ants – all of which can infest a structure and remain active throughout the entire year. The point is, once these ants find their way into your space and decide that they love it as much as you do, they will create a nest, begin to reproduce, and stay active – all year long!
For professional ant control in NJ, PA, MD, and DE, contact Viking Pest Control, a local pest control company. Our highly trained and licensed team have the knowledge and tools to solve your ant problem, no matter what type of ant is infesting or how severe the problem is. Learn more about our Home Protection Plans or, if you’re a business, visit our commercial pest control page.
Call Viking at 800-618-2847 to learn more about our ant pest control and extermination services, or get a fast, free quote online today!
