Winter in New Jersey might make you anticipate being able to enjoy a bug-free environment. If you’ve ever been surprised to discover ants inside your home during the colder months, you’re not alone.
During New Jersey winters, discovering ants indoors might be surprising, but certain species, like carpenter ants, can remain active. Seeking warmth and food, ants invade homes, making professional pest control from Callahan’s Termite & Pest Control in Ocean and Monmouth County important for effective eradication and prevention.
Ant activity doesn’t simply stop because the temperature drops. In fact, ant infestations, especially of species like carpenter ants, acrobat ants, and pharaoh ants, can be a common problem for many homeowners in the Garden State, even in winter.
Why is this the case? How can ants survive, let alone thrive, in conditions that have most other insects lying low or entering a state of dormancy? The behavior of an ant colony can shed some light on this issue and why pest control companies often deal with ants during the winter months in New Jersey.
Why Ants Appear in Winter
Ants’ Winter Behavior: Hibernate or Stay Active?
Contrary to popular belief, not all ants hibernate during winter. While it is true that many common ant species do enter a state of dormancy, others remain active and can cause a significant ant problem during the colder months.
Seeking Warmth: The Ant’s Winter Survival Strategy
As winter sets in, ants instinctively seek out warm environments for survival. The insulation and heating within our homes offer an ideal refuge from the harsh winter weather.
Indoor Food Sources: What Attracts Ants in Winter
Beyond warmth, another factor that attracts ants indoors during winter is the availability of food. In the natural environment, ants’ food sources become scarce during the cold months. However, our homes provide a veritable feast of crumbs, spills, and accessible food storage – making them an irresistible attraction for these opportunistic creatures.
Damage Caused By Ants in New Jersey Homes and Businesses
Pavement Ants and Food Infestation
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection published a document about IPM, a manual on how to implement Integrated Pest Management in NJ schools. This manual tells us that numerous ant species, like pavement ants, are prone to infesting food. While these ants are generally considered a nuisance indoors, as they rarely bite, their contact with various surfaces and occasional feeding on deceased creatures or insects raises concerns.
This behavior raises the possibility of ants carrying disease-causing organisms to human food. Consequently, any food items that come into contact with ant infestations should be presumed contaminated and discarded to prevent potential health risks.
Carpenter Ants and Structural Damage
Carpenter ants, in particular, pose a threat by causing structural damage. They excavate moist or decaying wood and soft materials, including foam insulation board, to create satellite nests. The presence of carpenter ants typically signals an underlying moisture issue within the structure.
Addressing such problems involves collaboration with pest control professionals, carpenters, or plumbers to rectify the situation. Repairing water leaks, replacing damaged or rotted wood, and addressing any underlying moisture sources becomes imperative when dealing with carpenter ants to prevent further structural damage.
Understanding the potential damage caused by ants, whether through contamination of food supplies or structural harm, underscores the necessity of prompt action in addressing infestations and associated issues.
When to Seek Professional Help for Ant Infestations
During the winter months, dealing with an ant infestation can become particularly challenging. Not all ants hibernate in cold weather and some species that remain active and can cause significant problems. This is when professional help, such as that offered by Callahan’s Termite & Pest Control, becomes essential.
There are several signs that indicate the need for professional intervention. Persistent sightings of ants in your home, despite your best efforts, could suggest the presence of an entire colony within your property. This situation can be complex and requires expert handling.
Another red flag is structural damage. Certain types of ants, especially carpenter ants, can cause considerable harm by burrowing into wood to create their nests. If you find piles of sawdust or wood shavings around your property, it’s time to call in the professionals.
The Benefits of Hiring a Professional Pest Control Service
Choosing a professional pest control service like Callahan’s Termite & Pest Control offers numerous advantages. As a family-owned and operated company, we provide prompt and high-quality exterminator services throughout New Jersey at reasonable prices. Our ultimate goal is customer satisfaction.
One major benefit of engaging professionals is our understanding of various types of pests. We have extensive knowledge about the behavior and habits of different ant species, which enables us to effectively eradicate the entire ant colony. This thoroughness is hard to achieve with DIY methods, which often only eliminate the visible ants, not those hidden away in nests.
Professional pest control services are equipped to handle infestations in any season. Whether it’s the warm weather of summer or the cold winter months, they possess the necessary strategies and tools to manage any pest problem.
We also offer repair services for damage caused by previous infestations. We are fully insured and bonded, ensuring your home is restored to its best possible condition.
Prevention and Control of Ants in Winter: Your Essential Guide
As winter approaches, many homeowners face the challenge of preventing ant invasions. While some ant species hibernate, others remain active and seek warmth and food in our homes. Check out this guide from the EPA for homeowners about pest prevention and pesticide safety.
Preventing Winter Ant Infestations
Understanding why and how ants invade our homes during winter is important to preventing such infestations. By knowing what attracts ants – warmth and food – we can better prepare our defenses and keep these persistent pests at bay. Here are practical strategies to prevent ants from turning your home into their winter haven.
Tips to Prevent Winter Ant Invasions
- Seal Entry Points: Ants are tiny creatures that can squeeze through the smallest cracks and crevices. Inspect your home for any potential entry points and seal them with caulk or other appropriate materials.
- Keep Your Home Clean: Ants are attracted to food sources. Ensure your kitchen and dining area are clean and free from crumbs and spills. Regularly empty your garbage bins and keep food stored in airtight containers.
- Maintain Your Yard: Ants often build their nests in yards before invading homes. Regular maintenance, including trimming vegetation and removing dead wood, can discourage ants from setting up colonies near your home.
- Use Ant Deterrents: There are many natural deterrents that can repel ants, such as cinnamon, vinegar, and peppermint oil. Sprinkle or spray these around entry points to keep ants at bay.
Controlling and Eliminating Ants
If ants have already invaded your home, don’t panic. There are several ways to control and eliminate them.
- Use Ant Baits: Ant baits are an effective way to eliminate entire colonies. The workers carry the bait back to their nest, poisoning the whole colony, including the queen.
- Insecticide Sprays: These can be used to kill visible ants. However, be aware that sprays often fail to reach the hidden nests where the majority of the colony resides.
- Professional Pest Control Services: If the infestation is large or the ants have caused structural damage, it may be time to call in professionals like Callahan’s Termite & Pest Control. They provide prompt, quality exterminator services throughout New Jersey at reasonable prices.
Callahan’s is a family-owned and operated pest control company led by proprietor, Mike Callahan. Our team of state-certified and licensed inspectors and technicians are skilled and experienced professionals. We offer a range of services including pest control, termite removal, bed bug removal, mold removal, and crawl space encapsulation. We also repair damage caused by previous infestations and are fully insured and bonded.
Ant Pest Control During The Winter Months
Preventing and controlling ant infestations, particularly in the winter months, can indeed be a significant challenge, but it’s not an insurmountable one. Proactive measures like sealing entry points and maintaining cleanliness can greatly help in deterring these persistent pests. If an infestation does occur, DIY remedies like ant baits and sprays can prove effective to some extent.
However, for large infestations or those that have resulted in structural damage, professional pest control services like Callahan’s Termite & Pest Control, with our extensive knowledge and efficient services, are your best bet. Remember, the key is to remain vigilant and not to hesitate in seeking professional help when needed.