How Cold to Kill Ants
WouterDuring the winter months, ants change their behavior in order to survive. They move to the warmest areas possible. The colony closes the entrance to the nest, and ants stay in clusters to maintain their body heat. The colony also uses fat stores that were used in the summer.
If the temperature is too low, ants can starve to death. Many species store fat in their bodies to survive. Ants can survive cold temperatures, but they will be less active than they were in summer. They also go into a dormant state during the winter. The state is called diapause.
In the spring, ants may emerge from their shelters and search for food. The queen will surround the colony to keep it healthy. A young colony may not be able to survive a cold winter. They will also leave their nest when the temperature warms up.
Ants are very adept at climbing. They can hide in cracks and in cabinets. They can also climb across bathtubs, floors, and even windows. If you want to keep them out of your home, you can keep your house clean and warm.
In addition, you can try spraying entryways to prevent ants from coming into your home. Using a spray that kills ants on contact is a good option. You can also use TERRO (r) Outdoor Ant Killer for long-term control. The product is available in ant control videos and in the ant library.
