Ants are a common pest in Nashville yards and homes, but it seems summer brings them out in droves. If you are plagued with ants, you’ll want to call an ant exterminator in Nashville as soon as possible to prevent them from multiplying. There are many ants native to the Nashville area, such as carpenter ants, fire ants, little black ants, and odorous house ants.

Ants are much more active in summer than they are winter, because they hibernate in the cooler months -- much like many other insects and animals. Ants are cold-blooded, which forces them to decrease their activity when it’s cold. In summer, ants emerge in droves in search of food and to build nests. Let’s talk about the summer life cycle of ants in Nashville.

Ants and Summertime

Once the temperatures rise, ants start to emerge and build their nests. They tend to get more active when their body temperature increases, so this is when they will mate and produce offspring. They often enter homes in search of water, heat and food, and your house is very appealing to them due to the reliable food sources found therein.

When ants find a plentiful food source, they release pheromones that attract other ants from outdoors to come join the party.

What Lures Ants In?

Above all, ants want food and warmth. Even though the summer is hot, the nights can get cool and this is why they love your house. They’re also looking for a water source, which is key to their survival. Lastly, they’re on the hunt for a food source that will continue to pay off day after day.

Ant Prevention Tips

Here are some tips to keeping ants out of your home.

• Seal All Food & Drinks Tightly – Store human and pet food in tightly sealed containers. Don’t leave fruits and vegetables on your counter; rather, put them in hanging baskets or inside your refrigerator. Make sure your trash cans have tight-fitting lids. Rinse out containers before recycling to prevent infestations.
• Keep Things Clean – Thoroughly clean eating and food prep areas daily. Sweep and mop the floors, wipe down countertops, immediately clean up spills, and look for hidden food crumbs inside cabinets.
• Be on the Lookout For Entry Points – Check for points of entry in foundation cracks, bricks, openings around doors and windows, and screen holes.
• Create an Ant Barrier – Prune back shrubs, bushes, and trees to take away ants’ access to your home. Don’t stack firewood against the house. Also, don’t allow buildup of grass, mulch, leaves, and other clutter against your foundation.

By following these tips, you can keep ants outside where they belong.

Nashville Ant Exterminator

If you do end up with an ant problem you can’t seem to get rid of, contact us at 615-502-2855. Our experienced ant exterminators in Nashville will show up to provide effective treatment.