Why Are Ants Worse in the Fall?

Many people anticipate the fall season. It brings changes in foliage, pumpkin spice lattes, and Halloween. But, unfortunately, it also brings ant infestations.

Ants can cause property damage, bite household members, and even attract other pests. So homeowners dealing with ants every fall may wonder why these pesky creatures invade more in that season. Let's discuss the underlying reasons and offer several practical solutions.

Reasons ants are worse in the fall

Perhaps it doesn't make sense that ants appear indoors more frequently in the fall because insects are generally more active during summer. But there are two reasonable explanations.

First, ants don't like rain, and during the fall months, rain is a common occurrence. As a result, some ant species will search for dry locations when the rainy weather persists, often rushing indoors, where it's warm and dry.

Furthermore, excessive rains may create a flood-like experience for ants, and they will look for raised ground to save themselves. The other reason is the lack of food, specifically natural vegetation.

For example, sugar ants, or "house ants," feed on honeydew and similar plants, which are no longer available in the fall. Therefore, they'll relocate into residential homes where food for them is abundant.

How to prevent ants from entering a home

Homeowners have several solutions available to ongoing ant problems:

PUT FOOD AWAY

Ants and other insects will exhaust themselves, looking for a food source. They'll spread fast if the food is readily available on the counters and kitchen floors.

Placing food in airtight containers and cleaning the counters minimizes the risk of ants settling in the home during the fall.

SEAL CRACKS AND CREVICES

Ants are tiny and will find even the smallest crack in the foundation, windows, doors, and crawl spaces to enter the home.

Furthermore, ensure no water leaks around the house, as ants will search for water sources too.

TRIM VEGETATION AROUND THE HOUSE

Even if every entry point is adequately sealed, ants can find their way inside. For example, branches touching the upstairs window are the perfect pathway for ants to come indoors.

Untrimmed bushes and other vegetation growing freely could allow ants to sneak into a home and settle during the winter. That's why trimming the trees and landscaping, in general, can prevent ants from entering the home.

Don't let ants ruin the coziest season

If ants enter a home during the fall, removing them is tricky. The best solution is to call a reliable pest control service and have them deal with the infestation permanently.

However, homeowners can try these preventative measures to ensure the tiny ants don't overcome their homes and settle during the winter. They might seem harmless, but ants can damage the home and bite humans.

Russell Pest Control is a family-owned Phoenix area pest control company specializing in effective, responsible and proactive insect, weed, and rodent control for commercial and residential customers. We offer free estimates.

Call (623) 469-7583 today!                    "Expect the best from Russell Pest"