Most ant species are active during the warmer spring and summer months and become dormant when the weather gets cold. Carpenter ants, however, can wreak havoc in your home even during winter. They can withstand cold weather and continue to do their damage, especially if they have been nesting indoors. If you already have an infestation, you’ll need the help of an ant control specialist. But, you can also alleviate your concerns and better protect your property against future infestations by understanding the behavior of these insects.

What Happens to Carpenter Ants During Winter?

When temperatures start to drop in winter, colonies become dormant, and carpenter ants enter into diapause, which is a low-energy state for their survival. It is different from hibernation since carpenter ants can become active with ease if conditions slightly change, such as warm weather in the middle of winter. Indoor colonies may skip the dormancy phase altogether and continue being active, like foraging for food, when you switch on heating inside your home.

Why Are They Inside Your Home?

If you notice carpenter ants indoors, it means that they have a nest inside somewhere. It’s possible that worker ants came in with the firewood, but this type cannot build nests or cause damage. They can also enter your home while foraging for food and water. Since carpenter ants thrive in moist conditions like damp or decaying wood, pay attention to areas on your property where condensation tends to form. Nests can sometimes be found in the bathroom, attic, basement, kitchen, and hollow spaces like walls and doors. Call for an ant control service if you’re unsure of how to pinpoint the exact location of nets and eliminate the satellite and parent colonies.

How Important Is Ant Control in Winter?

Carpenter ants are wood-tunneling pests. If left unchecked, they can cause costly, extensive damage to the structural integrity of your home. Moreover, carpenter ants can be annoying since they may swarm over your food when left unattended. Remember that they become active once their nests get warmed up in winter. When you spot small piles of sawdust and see more than 20 ants marching at a time, it’s time to call in an ant control professional.

If your home has been infested with carpenter ants this winter, trust the exterminators at Cox Termite & Pest Control to perform top-notch ant control services. Serving the entire community in Chatham County, GA, they’ve provided quality, effective pest management solutions for more than four decades. Call (912) 236-2503 to schedule a pest control appointment or inquire via their website.