Any homeowner would know the feeling of frustration and helplessness when their precious home is invaded by ants each summer; their little legs scurrying across floors and countertops, lurking about waiting for a chance to feed. But where do these tiny insects come from and why do they return annually to invade our homes? To answer this, we must first understand the behaviour of ants and the living conditions that can be found in and around your home.
Ants’ Behaviour
Exploration
Ants are led by an invisible chemical trail called pheromones, which help to guide them towards a potential food source. As soon as an ant finds a good food source, they’ll quickly send a signal of excitement to the other ants, and a swarm will soon begin to follow the same chemical scent. Ants like to explore and they’re always on the search for new food sources, which makes them follow any trail of crumbs that they may come across near your home.
Protection
Not only do ants have an incredible sense of smell, they have an even greater ability to detect and recognize changes in their environment. In the event of a threat, ants will quickly alert the others and they’ll all quickly evacuate the area. For example, if you spray an ant with insect repellant, the ant will quickly retreat, but it’ll also leave a trail of pheromones to let the other ants know that there’s something wrong in that specific area.
Detection of Heat
Ants will also be drawn to heat since most of them are used to living in warmer climates. An ant’s body temperature is usually higher than the surrounding environment, so they’ll sense any areas with a milder temperature and they’ll quickly flock towards it. This may explain why ants make a beeline for the bright and sunny windowsills or ledges during the summer.
Living Conditions
Moisture
Not only will ants gravitate towards warmer environments, but they’re also drawn to moisture. Ants need water to survive, so any areas around your home with active moisture will be a haven for these scurrying little creatures. From leaky pipes to a damp basement, ants will take advantage of any opportunities to stay hydrated and find food in the same area.
Food Source
As they say, ants go marching on… straight to your kitchen! Ants love to eat sweet and greasy foods, so it’s no wonder why they’re always snooping around the fridge and counters looking for a chance to pick up some crumbs. Make sure to tightly seal all of your food in the pantry, and always be on the lookout for any sweet residue that may be left around the kitchen, since ants will head right towards it!
Harbours for Nesting
When the weather gets cold in the winter, ants need to search for a new place to settle down and hibernate. If your home has any tiny holes, gaps and crevices, it’ll be the perfect hideout for ants to nest and create a network of tunnels. Any small cracks or crevices near a food source or water supply is also ideal for nesting.
People Also Ask
How can I get rid of ants in my house?
Getting rid of ants in your house can be done by regularly cleaning up the areas where ants are most likely to be found, such as the kitchen, bathroom and around windowsills. You should also use insect repellents, ant traps, or ant baits to ward off these pesky creatures.
What do ants eat?
Ants typically feed on small insects, but they also eat sugary fruits, seeds and greasy and oily foods. They’ll also scavenge for any sources of protein, such as small pieces of meat or cheese.
Do ants bite?
Ants can bite, but it’s typically a defensive move and they’ll only do it if they feel threatened. Most bites from common house ants are quite harmless, though some can cause a slight burning or stinging sensation.
What is the life cycle of an ant?
The life cycle of an ant starts off with an egg, which hatches into a larva and then eventually turns into a pupa. Finally, after metamorphosing into an adult ant, the ant will eventually become a worker, queen or drone in order to continue the species.
Where do ants go in the winter?
During the cold winter months, ants generally go in search of a safe place to build nests, such as warm and damp places. They’ll also try to find sources of food to prepare for the winter and an area to hibernate.
Final Words
Homeowners may feel powerless when they’re swarmed by ants each summer, but there’s a reason why these little creatures keep coming back. Ants are highly adaptive and intelligent, and their behaviours and living conditions can be influenced by several different factors. Being proactive about cleaning up messes and sealing up any potential hideouts will help to ensure that ants stay out of our homes.