While ants are usually safe deep inside their colonies, certain weather will definitely have an effect on their day to day activities and odds of survival. In this article, we’re going to cover the various types of weather that impact ant activity and which can lead to home infestations.
Cold
Ants are fairly resilient to cold, because they build their colonies deep enough underground to withstand a lowering in temperatures. They will also stockpile supplies to last them over the winter. However, if the cold is extreme, the ants may be looking to set up inside the home or the garage where the temperatures are a bit higher.
Heat
Most insects, including ants, will have a faster metabolism as the temperatures increase. This higher metabolism means two things – one, the ants will be more active, and two, they will need more food. As the activity levels and demand for food increase, the ants will be more prone to enter the home and forage for food indoors.
Droughts
Droughts can hit an ant colony very hard, and when drought conditions are present, the ants will uproot their entire colony and start looking for water. If there is a leak on your property, or a water source nearby, the ants will set up indoors very quickly.
Heavy rains
Heavy rains can lead to flooding, which can spell disaster for an ant colony. The ants are able to sense when heavy rains are coming, and will often relocate the entire colony if there is a high risk of flooding. In their search for higher ground, they may end up in the home.
Taking weather into account
Ant infestations can happen year round, but there is a higher risk during extreme weather events. Still the best way to make sure that you catch an ant infestation early on is to work with a pro and schedule a regular inspection program. Regular inspections will not only keep your home protected from ant infestations, they will also be able to detect many other pests such as rodents or termites. By catching an infestation early on, you ensure that a lot of the damage that would be caused is avoided.
For more information about pest control inspection programs, or if you suspect that you have an ant infestation in your home, contact us today and we will help you out with everything you need.