Why Are There Ants In My West Chester Home In The Winter?
February 10, 2021
Winter is, for many, a wonderful time. It offers locals a chance to pull their cold-weather clothing out of retirement. It also means a reprieve from many area pests. Wasps are no longer buzzing around yards, mosquitoes have taken a leave of absence, and ants are done causing trouble, or at least that is what should be the case. For many homeowners, ants are still crawling around inside their home. The temperatures outside have dropped, but these tiny pests are still up to no good. How is this possible? Here is why there are ants in your West Chester home and what you need to do to get them out.
Common Ants Around West Chester
West Chester has more than a couple of ants species that are known for causing trouble inside homes. The three most common to our area are carpenter ants, odorous house ants, and pavement ants. One thing these three pests have in common is that they have no problem coming indoors to scavenge for food and water.
The main difference between these three species is where they prefer to build their nests. Carpenter ants build their nests inside structures of water-damaged, rotting, or decaying wood. Odorous house ants build theirs near sources of moisture in and around homes. Finally, pavement ants make their homes around paved areas such as driveways, sidewalks, and roadways.
Do Ants Live Inside Homes In The Winter?
Most species of ants prefer living outdoors but will come inside to scavenge for food and water. This changes during the colder months of winter. Ant species not equipped to handle colder weather will look to migrate indoors. Most often, they build nests inside wall voids and in other hard to reach places; if it weren’t for the fact that ants regularly wander around homes, identifying these pests would be difficult.
How To Keep Ants Out Of Your Living Areas Next Year
If ants are crawling around inside your home right now, no amount of prevention will get them out. However, it will help you keep these pests out next year after you have removed them from your living areas. Once you know your home is ant-free, here are some recommendations to help you keep it that way:
- Eliminate moisture sites in and around your house.
- Fix leaky pipes and fixtures.
- Use a dehumidifier indoors.
- Repair or replace structural wood that is damaged by water.
- Use a caulking gun to seal holes and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation and gaps around window and door frames.
- Address problems with window and door screens.
- Install door sweeps under exterior doors.
- Make sure all of your trash cans have tight-fitting lids.
- Avoid feeding your pets outdoors and clean out their bowls after every meal.
- Store leftover food inside airtight containers.
The Only Way To Effectively Remove Ants From Your Home
Once ants infest a home, there is no easy way to get them out without calling a professional for help. If you are looking for a reliable team of experts that understand ants and have the industrial-grade tools and treatments needed to remove these pests from your home, look no further than Masters Touch Pest Solutions. We know how frustrating it is to find pests causing trouble inside your home, especially during the winter months, where they should no longer be a problem.
Call us today to learn more about our pest control solutions and discover an answer to your West Chester home’s ant problems. Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control solutions.
Previous Next
