Ants crawling on the kitchen floor

Most homes across America are no stranger to ants, especially in the summertime when homeowners find their yards covered in small brown mounds. However, regardless of the season, homeowners can find these persnickety pests inside their home year-round.

While indoor ant infestations are still most common in warmer months as foraging ants come indoors in search of food, they are nevertheless quite possible during colder months of the year, especially in southern states with mild winters.

Don’t be fooled: ants may be out-of-sight in the winter, but these pests are never gone for good. Here’s a quick rundown of why ants could be making their presence felt at any time of the year. We will also share some ant control tips so that you can control a current infestation or prevent one before it even starts.

Ant Problems During The Colder Months

Like any household pest, ants are in search of three things: food, water, and warmth. As these resources become scarce in colder months, your home becomes all the more appealing.

If you’re seeing ant trails across your floors, windows, sinks, and kitchen counters, ants have likely made a colony within your home. The colonies themselves are often located somewhere inside the walls, doors, and window frames of the home, but given their small size, they can make colonies practically anywhere. Other common hiding places include under floors, inside cabinets, and inside appliances.

Typically, ants go into a hibernation-like state called overwintering when the weather cools, but making a colony inside allows them to remain active throughout the winter. These satellite colonies are most often located close to the kitchen or bathrooms in the home as it allows them easy access to food and water.

Tips For Preventing Ants During The Colder Months

Here are some important tips you should follow to lower your chances of ant problems during the colder months of the year:

Keep food around the house sealed in containers or refrigerated if possible.
Wipe down countertops and tables after eating.
Don’t let dishes pile up in the sink, and avoid leaving dirty dishes out overnight.
Fix any moisture problems throughout the house that could attract ants.
Keep pet food in sealed plastic containers whenever pets are not being fed.
Refrigerate fruit instead of keeping it in bowls.
Vacuum floors and carpets around the house regularly.

While the prospect of a winter ant problem is unpleasant, the good news is that continuing to follow these tips as spring arrives can help ensure your home remains ant-free all year long.

Steps To Take If You Have Winter Ants

Unfortunately, ants are a notoriously difficult pest for homeowners to treat on their own. Their small size means they could be hiding practically anywhere, and even if you’re not seeing any ants, it doesn’t mean the entire home is free of them. Furthermore, if you fail to treat the entire infestation and it will only come back in force later on.

If you’ve seen ants inside your home during the winter, it’s almost certain that they’ve built a colony inside your walls. Due to the difficulty and potential hazards that come with attempting to eliminate a colony on your own, no matter the time of year, the most important step when you have an ant infestation is to call a certified pest professional for help.

At Pestmaster^® Services, we have decades of experience keeping homes across the United States protected against ants and other common household pests. Our expert technicians will find the source of your ant problem, eliminate it entirely, and inspect your home so that ants can't get inside after they've been eliminated.

Got ants? If you do, reach out to a professional for help. Contact Pestmaster^® Services today for more information and find out if one of our comprehensive pest control programs is right for you.