In our most recent article, we discussed common spring pests in Arizona. These pesky critters include ants, cockroaches, bees and wasps, scorpions, and spiders. But we knew a brief section on ants just wasn’t enough for tackling them this summer. So, we’re going to go more in depth on summer ants and how to get rid of them.
Ant Behavior in the Summer
To pests, there isn’t much of a difference between spring and summer, especially in mid-May when the weather is noticeably different and the April showers are in the rearview mirror. What we mean by this is that the weather has a significant effect on pest activity. For example, homeowners report more mice and rodent problems in the winter. But in the spring and summer, ants are arguably the biggest pest problem.
Ants seek refuge in a cool environment, making them more active in the hot, dry weather of spring and summer. At the same time, there’s more outdoor activity during this time. There’s parties, fires at night, gardening, and more. Food, water, and people are constantly outside, drawing ants toward your property. Ants are active, social creatures, so you will certainly encounter them within the next five or so months.
Understanding More about Ant Behavior
Knowing more about the enemy or problem is the first step in any solution. Now that you know ants are much more active in the spring and summer, let’s dive more into their behavioral traits and what motivates them.
Apart from seeking shelter, ants are primarily motivated by food and moisture. These causes will lead them into your home. If food scraps are left behind outside, food isn’t sealed properly inside, or trash isn’t sealed and removed promptly, ants have plenty of reason to target your home. Ants will seek excessive moisture or water to set up camp as well. If there are humid areas or places where standing water builds up, you may soon find ants inhabiting there.
Common Summer Ants
The common ants you’ll notice during the summer include carpenter ants, odorous house ants, little black ants, pavement ants, and red imported fire ants. All ants are annoying and can cause disruption to your home, but the key ants to stay away from are red fire ants. They have painful bites and stings, and can cause serious injury if you or a loved one are allergic or suffering from certain medical conditions.
Getting Rid of Ants and Keeping Them Out
No matter what the ant species is, the truth is you want them gone and fast. So, here are a few tips to get rid of ants and keep them out:
- Cleaning against pheromones. The biggest driver for ants is their sense of smell. Ant colonies even have scout ants to leave scents that will indicate to other ants to follow. These are often the first ants you see infesting your home.
- Utilizing ant bait. Purchasing ant bait, like glue or chemicals, can do wonders to kill ants at the source and then stop them from entering again.
- Sprinkling natural deterrents (like baby powder, cinnamon, mint, or bay leaves) at potential entry points plays a great role in stopping ants.
- Finally, sealing off cracks and crevices around your home is essential to keep not only ants but any pest from invading your home.
Contact The Professionals
At Urban Desert Pest Control, we always advocate that the most effective, safe pest control is professional pest control. If you want to ensure you have a safe, comfortable, relaxing, and pest-free summer, there’s nothing better you can do than having our experienced team perform regularly-occurring pest treatments. We’ll use superior (yet safe) chemicals to keep pests away and come back however often you want to check in on potential problems. Contact our team for a free pest control quote and inspection.
