Ants have the potential to be an overwhelming problem for people living throughout the Northwest. There are hundreds of different species that can ruin camping adventures, picnics, and other types of outdoor events. In Idaho, Oregon, and the Washington State area, there are more than two dozen types of ants that could eventually end up invading your home. As one of the most persistent types of pests, once they gain a foothold it can be hard to get rid of them.
At Pointe Pest Control, we are a trusted resource in the community, offering safe, effective pest elimination services. People often are surprised when ants continue to invade even after the summer is over and the seasons start to change. They can also be taken back to uncover ants in their home even after getting pest elimination services. Unfortunately, the cold weather is often more likely to draw them inside while the various types of ants and the size of their colonies may require more than one treatment.
With Cooler Temperatures, Why Am I Still Seeing Ants in My Home?
After a long, hot summer, one of the benefits of cooler temperatures is typically the reduction in the pest population. While it is true that many pests either die off or go into a sort of hibernation beginning in the fall and extending throughout harsh northwestern winters, ants are often an exception.
It’s no secret that ant home invasions are influenced by outdoor temperatures. During the warm weather, ants are busy breeding and building their colonies outdoors. Undetected gaps in windows or doorways and not cleaning up crumbs or spilled liquids from countertops and floors will obviously draw them in. During the colder fall and winter months, queen ants generally stop reproducing at such high rates and, as a result, their numbers steadily decline. However, the warmth of your home can draw them indoors. This increases the odds of their survival, leaving you to face ongoing ant problems over the winter.
Stanford also advises that attempting to address this type of ant infestation on your own is likely to do little good for two major reasons:
- In addition to being potentially toxic to you, your children, and any pets you have, over-the-counter pesticides and ant baits are largely ineffective.
- While not leaving out leftovers and wiping off countertops regularly is always a good idea, it does little to discourage ants from seeking warmth indoors once the weather outside begins getting colder.
I’ve Had Pest Control Services – Why Am I Still Seeing Ants in the Fall?
Having our pest control experts at Pointe Pest Control treat your home is the safest and most effective way to eliminate ants and keep them from returning in the future. However, it is not uncommon for people to report spotting an ant or two even after treatment, particularly during the change in season.
At a conference of the Association of Structural Pest Control Regulatory Officials (ASPCRO), increasing reports of stubborn home ant infestations was one of several topics that were addressed. Issues that were blamed for high numbers of residential ant issues and the difficulty in thoroughly addressing the problem through a single treatment include:
- The sheer number of ant species, which may require different treatment methods;
- The large variety of locations in and around homes where ants are likely to dwell;
- The increasing frequency of so-called ‘super colonies’, which often contain multiple queens and large numbers of worker ants, making it harder to completely eliminate them in a single visit.
Getting pest control services on a regular basis is the best way to protect your home against pesky ant infestations. In addition to uncovering all possible types of ants and eliminating colonies or places for them to hide, it can also address seasonal issues, such as when ants come indoors during the fall and winter months.
Get Fast, Effective Pest Elimination Services From Pointe Pest Control
At Pointe Pest Control, our technicians have extensive skill and experience dealing with common pests found throughout Oregon, Utah, and Colorado, including ant infestations. We can identify the various types of ants which may be taking up residence in your home, so they can be eliminated completely. The products we use are highly effective, but also environmentally friendly and safe to use around children or pets. To protect your home from an infestation, contact our fall pest control experts and request a consultation today.
