Summertime Soldiers, Falltime Foragers
If you've ever noticed more ants in your home when the sun's blazing or the leaves start to fall, you're not imagining things. Ant invasions tend to ramp up during summer and continue into the cooler fall months, and there's a reason (or many ants) behind it.
Ants vary widely depending on the species, but one thing most ants have in common? They're social insects living in large colonies, and they're always looking for their next food source. Summer gives them the perfect combo of warmth, moisture, and opportunity. And when cold temperatures creep in, they're ready to gain access to your home.
Why Ants Are on the Move
From pavement ants to carpenter ants, these common ant species are on the hunt for shelter and sustenance. As food becomes more scarce outside, ants shift their focus indoors, scouting out crumbs, pet food, sweet liquids, and anything else that isn't stored in airtight containers.
You'll often see worker ants forming trails across your kitchen or near leaky pipes, carrying back food to their ant colony. Once they've found a jackpot (like your pantry), expect even more ants to follow fast.
Species Spotlight: Meet the Home Invaders
Let's talk different species and what makes each a unique pest challenge:
Carpenter Ants - Larger ants known for burrowing into wood. While they don't eat it like termites, they can cause serious structural damage as they tunnel to create nest sites.
Pavement Ants - Commonly found under sidewalks and foundation walls, these tiny invaders often set up outdoor nests and sneak inside looking for sugar and grease.
Argentine Ants - These ants form super colonies with multiple queens and are difficult to control without a professional. They'll invade in huge numbers and outcompete other insects.
Black Ants - Your standard kitchen nuisance, often spotted trailing from window frames or wall voids, especially near plants or food spills.
Most ants have one or two nodes between their thorax and abdomen (yep, we're going full nerd here), which helps ID the species and determine how to treat them effectively.
Where They Nest & Why It Matters
Ants are small but smart. Depending on the species, they'll build ant nests:
Beneath trees or rocks
In wall or floor voids
Under appliances and sinks
Around foundation walls and window frames
In potted plants or even electronics (yes, really)
Some even split up colonies and move to a new site when disturbed, especially if you use the wrong DIY methods. That's why it's tough to truly get rid of ants without knowing where the nest is.
Ant-Proofing Tips: Prevent Ants Before They Move In
Want to discourage ants before they start redecorating your kitchen?
Seal cracks and gaps around your home's exterior.
Fix leaky pipes and eliminate standing water.
Store food in sealed containers.
Keep your kitchen tidy, especially counters and floors.
Wipe up spills (especially if your ants eat sweets) ASAP.
Don't forget to sweep around pet food bowls daily.
Even if you only see one or two ants, that usually means more are scouting. Most ant species send wingless females (aka workers) ahead of a full-blown invasion. Where there's one, there are always more, and sometimes one or more queens waiting to multiply the problem.
When to Call the Pest Nerds
At-home sprays might handle a few worker ants, but they rarely solve the deeper ant problem. Worse, some treatments cause ants to scatter and start new colonies, which means you could go from one nest to ten in no time.
Our pest control professionals at Greenix don't just spot-treat. We track the ants back to their nest, ID the exact species, and implement targeted pest control plans that eliminate colonies and help keep your home ant-free, no matter the season.
Don't Let Ants Take Over Your Fall
Fall may be for flannel, cider, and crunchy leaves, but for ants, it's the last big push before winter hits. If you're spotting trails, mounds, or rogue foragers in your home, don't wait.
Get rid of ants the right way. Call in the Pest Nerds at Greenix for year-round protection from ants, termites, insects, and other seasonal pests. We'll kick the colony to the curb and help you reclaim your kitchen, your house, and your peace of mind.
