It’s that time of year: The temperatures are warming, the daylight hours are longer, the plants are blooming, and ants are on the move. The Burgess Pest phones are abuzz with calls of “We thought we got rid of them, but they seem to come back around this time every year!” So, what are ants up to right now, and why do they seem to invite themselves back to your Massachusetts home year after year?
The short and simple answer: Food! Ants are constantly foraging for food in order to sustain and grow their colony. Have you ever seen just one or two ants on your kitchen counter, only to turn around and see dozens have appeared within seconds? That’s because “scouts” have identified a food source and alerted the colony that dinner is served.
Ants need carbohydrates and protein to survive. In the wild, they get these nutrients from fruits, other insects, and plants – which is why they become so active around the time the plants are blooming. Once they wander into your home, however, ants are not picky eaters. They will help themselves to anything resembling their usual diet, including crumbs, pet food, fruit, juice, grease residue and trash.
So, what can you do about these unwelcome guests? One of your best bets is to remove food sources by keeping surfaces clean, storing food in airtight containers, taking trash out regularly, and keeping pet dishes off the floor when possible. Additionally, minimize moisture such as plumbing leaks, standing water in sinks or dishes, and water around bathtubs or showers. To prevent ants from coming inside in the first place, seal small openings around doors, windows, and utility lines, and make sure all screens are intact and close completely.
DIY measures are great for prevention, but when those just aren’t doing the trick, it’s best to call a professional. Over-the-counter products might kill the ants you can see, but that may simply drive the colony to another area of your home. The ant control experts at Burgess Pest come equipped with nearly a century of experience and the technical skill needed to keep you ant-free all year long.
Still hungry for information? To learn more about common spring pests, get a free copy of our Spring 2022 Pest Guidebook here, or arm yourself against ants and termites with our free Termite & Ant Season Guidebook.
