Ever wondered why you don’t see as many ants in the winter? Come spring and summer, they’re all over – but this time of year, where did they go? When the cold sets in, ants start their very own version of getting cozy for the holiday season.
What do Ants Do in the Winter?
Some people think that ants hibernate in the winter. That is not necessarily the case. Ants enter a state of dormancy within their colonies once the temperature drops a few degrees. Ants are cold-blooded creatures, so they can go without food, but they’ll never survive Canada’s harsh winter without seeking shelter and warmth. That’s why they want to join us inside our homes where it is warm and safe.
What ants actually do is called diapause. Diapause is similar to hibernation, but not quite as extreme. Ants will enter a slower metabolic state, reducing down their eating, drinking, and laying eggs. They become sluggish and conserve their energy, and burrow deep into the soil, under rocks, or under tree bark (outside), or within your warm walls or other hidden spaces (inside), where they can maintain their body heat. They also encircle their queen to defend her and their population.
So, don’t be fooled! Just because you can’t see ants during winter doesn’t mean they’ve completely disappeared. It’s important to note that most Canadian ant species aren’t foragers that will risk their life in plain sight. Instead, they will be prioritizing their newfound shelter and warmth behind the scenes, remaining evasive, out of sight, and ultimately, out of our minds.
If you have carpenter ants or other species in house, it could be that be a satellite colony from outside established a new colony within the warm safety of your home. Ants get everything they need in the house with so much delicious damp wood, food sources, and warmth. It’s like your home is a vacation resort just for them!
What Happens To Ants Come Springtime?
So, why care about ants during the winter? Because in the spring, ants are back at it with their full energy. If you don’t catch early signs of ants in the house to prevent the full establishment of a satellite colony within your walls, you could be in for a serious ant problem come springtime. This is why it’s so important to get professional ant control performed on your premises before warmer weather arrives. This will spare you from ants wreaking havoc in your home once they’re ready to start hunting for food again.
Once worker ants have discovered a food source in your home, they will return straight back to alert the wider colony about its location. Leaving behind odour trails to memorize the path from nest to food source, these trails are commonly spotted in rooms like kitchens.
This is why it’s so important not to forget that ants in your home during the winter lead to threat as the weather warms. If an ant colony is located within your home structure itself, they could be doing a lot of damage. For example, carpenter ants quietly tunnel through wood without many external signs of damage. If the damage gets worse, you may notice wood fragments and sawdust that fall through cracks the ants have created. Badly damaged wood will have small openings, like little windows.
What is the Best Way to Get Rid of Ants?
Ultimately, the worker ants belonging to an ant colony will continue spawning and tunnelling until the queen is eliminated. DIY ant control tactics will only get you so far. Why? Because locating the precise location of every single satellite and primary nest is incredibly difficult.
To successfully control an ant infestation, you can’t simply remove the ants you can see. Instead, work with a professional, certified pest management company, like Sentry Pest Control to remove ant nests, both the satellite and primary nests.
Take action against those wintering ants today, and protect your home come spring – call Sentry Pest Control for an initial consultation.
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