Why Do I Have Ants In The Winter? (And How To Get Rid Of Them)

One of the benefits of cold winter days is that it usually keeps insects away. Most insects hibernate or migrate to avoid the deadly temperatures winter brings. Ants typically hibernate underground, and only emerge once the weather warms up. It can be alarming when you notice ants in your home during the winter.

Some reasons ants are found in homes during the winter include warm spells in your area that summon them to the surface, and cracks in your home’s exterior and foundation. Ants may have formed a colony somewhere in your home, or may be attracted to food or water sources. To get rid of ants in your home in the winter, set traps, locate and destroy any colonies, seal your food, and remove excess water.

Ants can overrun your home in just a few weeks. These tiny insects can multiply so quickly that they can form a colony in just a few days or weeks. Just because it’s winter, it doesn’t mean your home is safe from an ant infestation. If you notice ants in your home, then make sure you read this article to learn the possible causes of this insect problem, and how to get rid of ants in your home for good.

Six Reasons Why You Have Ants Inside In The Winter

1. Your Warm Home Is A Better Dwelling Than Outside

One popular reason why ants find their way into homes in the winter is because it’s much more desirable than living outside. Your home offers a climate-controlled environment for these little bugs, which allows them to stay active throughout the year. 

If you live in a region where it gets cold, but not freezing, then ants may stay active throughout the year. Therefore, they will want to head to warmer areas, like in your home, during brief cold snaps.

2. There’s Food And Crumbs In The Kitchen

The number one reason why you get ants in the home, regardless of the time of year, is improper food storage or a lack of cleanliness in the kitchen. Ants are amazing at tracking down food. Once one tiny ant finds crumbs on your counter, or honey left open, it’s game over.

If you find ants in your home in the winter, and notice they are usually found in the kitchen, then food is the reason you have ants.

3. A Sudden Warm Spell Is To Blame

Since many ant species hibernate in the winter, they are rarely seen when it’s below freezing. If, however, you have a warm spell for a few days or a week, then they may wake up and head up to ground level.

If the ants come up for air and your windows are open without screens, then they may enter. It’s easy to let your guard down in the winter when it comes to bugs, so you may even leave your front door open on a warm winter day. If this is the case, and you later notice ants in the home, then open windows and doors are to blame.

4. There’s Moisture In Your Home

In addition to warmth and food sources, some ants are attracted to moisture. This is particularly true if you live in an arid climate like the desert. Carpenter ants in particular love to find wet areas in the home, like bathrooms or underneath a bathroom sink.

If you notice carpenter or other moisture-loving ants in your bathroom or under your wet cabinets, then excess moisture may be the reason you have ants in the winter.

5. There Are Holes And Cracks In Your Home's Exterior

If you have ants in your home in the winter, then you likely have a vulnerability somewhere in your home’s exterior. If you don’t keep windows or doors open, then there’s a chance you have cracks or holes somewhere in your home.

Cracks in your foundation can be particularly problematic, as they can be big enough for ants to slide through directly from the soil.

6. Ants Have Created A Year-Round Colony In Your Home

Lastly, and most troublesome, if you notice lots of ants in your home not only in the winter, but throughout the year, then you may have an ant colony hiding in your home. Once an ant colony is established, the ants are not likely to stop producing, or hibernate, especially in a climate-controlled environment.

If you always see ants, and can’t leave food out for more than a few minutes without attracting an army of them, then you likely have an ant infestation you must locate and eradicate as soon as possible.

Six Ways To Remove Ants In The Home During The Winter For Good

1. Keep The Kitchen Clean And Food Sealed And Properly Stored

The best way to keep ants and other insects out of your home in the winter and throughout the year is to keep your kitchen clean and your food stored properly. Ants often enter homes and form colonies in them because there is a steady food source.

When you notice ants in your home in the winter, you should deep clean your kitchen. Keep all pantry items sealed in airtight glass or plastic tupperware, and put all fruit in the fridge. Empty your trash more frequently, and never leave crumbs on the counter. This will help make your home less desirable to ants.

2. Put Traps In Areas Where You See Ants

Ant traps can be purchased in any home improvement store, and also large chain stores like Walmart. These traps have baits that help poison ants where they live. 

As soon as you notice ants in your home, buy traps and place them in rooms where you’ve spotted them. This is an effective way at addressing an ant problem before it gets out of hand. 

3. Address Leaks And Remove Moisture

If you have carpenter ants, or other moisture-craving ants, then you need to address your moisture problems. Seal up any leaky pipes, and wipe up excess water. Removing this water will not only keep ants out of your home in the winter, but it will help reduce the risk of mold and rot in your home as well.

4. Seal Up Cracks In Home's Exterior And Foundation

Since ants often enter the home through vulnerabilities in your home’s exterior, one way to keep them out for good is to properly seal the home. Use caulk to seal cracks, and patch up your foundation as needed. This will keep ants and other pests out, and can even lower your electric bill by keeping your home insulated.

5. Ensure Screens Are On Windows When You Open Them

If you remove window screens in the winter, then remember to replace them before opening up your windows. When you experience a warm spell in the winter, you should ensure all your open doors and windows have insect nets to keep out bugs. 

Some bugs, including ants, can wake up quickly during a week of warm weather. Don’t allow your home to be vulnerable to insects during this period, as it can cause a long-lasting infestation.

6. Find The Colony And Exterminate It

If you have an infestation of ants in the winter, then you need to address the problem immediately. Seeing many ants throughout your home signals that you have one or more ant colonies. 

This problem will not go away on its own, and instead will likely only worsen until properly handled. First, you must find the location of the ant colony, and then work to exterminate it using proper ant killers. If the problem is bigger in scope than you can handle, then call a professional exterminator to get rid of the ants in your home for good.

Wrapping Up Why You Have Ants In Your Home During Winter

Ants are tiny pests that can pose big problems if left unchecked. If you have ants in your home in the winter, there’s a chance you have an ant colony in your home that should be located and eradicated right away. Other reasons ants are found in homes in the winter include food being left out, windows being left open during warm spells, and even excess moisture. Seal and properly store your food, fix leaking pipes, and seal and cracks in your home’s exterior. Use ant traps in areas where you see these pests, and consult a professional if the winter ant problem is bigger than you can handle.

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