Ants, like any other pest, are influenced by the weather. However, since ant species build their colonies underground, the temperature swings and various changes in weather do not have as much of an effect as they do on rats for example, which have to live out in the open. Let’s take a look at various types of weather and how they influence an ant colony.
The Cold
When the temperatures get cold, most ant species will be unaffected because their colonies are built underground. However, if the temperatures drop too low, the ants will have to relocate to a warmer location, and this may lead them to seek shelter inside the home or the garage.
The Heat
As the weather warms up, ants will become more active, so foraging activity is going to increase. Their metabolism also increases, which means that they will need to eat more, further adding to the frenzy of activity. It will also be more likely to see ants in the home as they search for food, but it does not necessarily mean that there is a colony somewhere in the home.
Droughts
Droughts will decrease the water supplies that are available to the colony, and it might trigger a migration in the search for a new water source. If you have a leaky pipe in the home, this could attract a termite colony during a period of drought, along with many other pests.
Heavy Rains
Heavy rains can lead to flooding or to the creation of bodies of water on top of a colony. The ants will have to abandon their current colony and start to look for higher ground and dry conditions, which will lead them into the home.
What to Do if Ants Have Entered the Home
Ants may enter the home looking for food, and their presence is temporary, but if you notice ants that are red, yellow, or unusually large, then you may be dealing with one of the pest ant species such as the fire, pharaoh or carpenter ant. These ants are capable of spreading diseases, delivering a painful sting, or causing damage to the home, so as soon as you see them, you should get in touch with a pest control pro. Contact us today if you suspect that you have an ant infestation in your home and we will help you get rid of it.