Do Ants Come Out in Cold Weather?
WouterGenerally speaking, ants aren’t particularly fond of cold weather. They are industrious creatures that will take a variety of steps to keep themselves warm. Some ants will even go so far as to build their own mounds of dirt to trap heat from the sun.
However, most species of ants are not outright foragers. Instead, they will tend to feed on excess food and carbohydrates stored in the fall. These stored carbohydrates are converted into energy for the winter months.
In order to keep warm, ants will often gather around a queen to protect her during the coldest months. Some ants will even construct large mounds of dirt above their colony to trap radiant heat from the sun.
Some species of ants will even split into smaller colonies. This is a good idea because it increases the colony’s overall survival. In the colder months, these smaller colonies may move into the warmest areas of the house.
While ants won’t usually appear outside the home, they can be found in a variety of locations. This includes inside the home, inside window frames and door frames, and in other places you wouldn’t think of. They may even enter the home through holes or cracks.
The best way to prevent ants from invading your home is to seal your food and drink containers. These containers should also be airtight to prevent moisture from accumulating. In addition, keep the house clean, including cleaning up spills and fixing leaky plumbing.
