Ants become noticeably more active during the summer months. This increased presence is a natural part of their annual cycle, influenced by warmer temperatures. As temperatures rise, ants respond with heightened activity.
Factors Driving Summer Ant Activity
Ants are ectothermic, meaning their body temperature and activity levels are directly tied to the external environment. As summer temperatures increase, their metabolism speeds up, leading to a greater need for food and water. This drives worker ants to forage more aggressively and venture further from their nests. Optimal activity for many ant species occurs between 25°C and 35°C (77°F to 95°F), where they exhibit increased foraging and reproductive behaviors.
Colony growth accelerates in warmer conditions. Summer is the primary breeding season for ants, with queen ants laying more eggs, which rapidly develop into additional worker ants. This population explosion means more individuals forage, leading to increased sightings and potential invasions. Dry summer conditions also reduce outdoor water sources, compelling ants to seek moisture indoors in places like kitchens and bathrooms.
Human outdoor activities, such as picnics and barbecues, create readily available food sources that attract ants. Winged reproductive ants, known as alates, also emerge in large numbers during warm, humid summer days for mating flights. These swarms are a reproductive strategy to establish new colonies, with mated queens seeking suitable new locations.
Common Ants You’ll Encounter
Pavement ants, typically 1/16 to 1/8 inch long and dark brown to black, often nest under sidewalks, driveways, and foundations. They are attracted to sugary and greasy foods, frequently foraging indoors. These ants can create small mounds of soil on pavement surfaces as they expand their nests.
Odorous house ants, small brown or black, emit a distinct rotten coconut-like smell when crushed. They nest in various locations, including indoors near moisture or outdoors under rocks and logs, and are particularly drawn to sweet substances.
Carpenter ants are larger, usually 1/4 to 1/2 inch, and can be black, red, or a combination of both. They do not consume wood but tunnel through it to create nests, often in damp or decaying timber within structures.
Argentine ants are small, light to dark brown ants known for forming massive supercolonies. They are highly adaptable and create extensive trails, often invading homes in search of food and water. Their foraging activity is continuous in spring and summer, and they can rapidly recruit nestmates to food sources.
Managing Ants During Summer
Effective ant management during summer begins with strict sanitation. Keeping kitchens clean, promptly wiping up spills, and storing food in airtight containers reduces ant attraction. Pet food bowls should also be cleaned regularly to remove residues.
Sealing entry points around the home is an important preventative measure. Inspect foundations, windows, and doors for cracks or crevices and seal them with caulk or weather stripping to block ant access. Ensuring window and door screens are intact also prevents entry.
Addressing moisture issues is beneficial, as ants are drawn to water. Repairing leaky pipes, ensuring proper drainage around the foundation, and using dehumidifiers in damp areas helps deter them. Outdoor maintenance, like trimming vegetation away from the house and removing debris, reduces potential nesting sites and bridges for ants to access your home.
For active ant presence, natural deterrents like citrus peels, coffee grounds, and peppermint oil can be used, as ants dislike their strong scents and disrupt pheromone trails. Ant baits offer a targeted approach, containing an attractive food component mixed with a slow-acting insecticide. Worker ants carry the bait back to the colony, sharing it with other ants, including the queen, which helps to eliminate the entire colony.