Have you ever noticed that you don't see a whole lot of ants around your home in the winter? Well, that's no coincidence. Ants tend to be a summertime nuisance, particularly in warm climates, like North Carolina. 

However, ants generally invade our homes in large groups, which isn't exactly a fun sight to see when you head to your kitchen to make your morning coffee. Thankfully, there are ways to keep ants outside your house in the summer months, especially if you know what to expect and who to call. Here's what you need to know:

Summertime Ants: What To Expect

Ants become much more common during the summer when there is warmer weather. This is because they, like other insects, rely on the environment to regulate their body temperature. So, in the cold temperatures of the winter months, they become sluggish and often retreat to underground colonies where they can stay warm enough to survive.

While it's certainly possible to have an ant infestation in the winter, it's not very common. In the summer, though, hungry ants in search of food can quickly find their way into your home. 

However, if you do have an ant infestation, you're likely to have hundreds, if not thousands of ants in your home. 

Why, you might ask? Well, when ants come into our houses, they leave behind a trail of pheromones - a secreted smell that sends messages - for others in their colony to follow so they, too, can find food. 

That's why we often see a large trail of ants all marching one by one into our homes, not just one or two scuttering on the floor.

What Are Ants Attracted To?

Ants don't just wander into our homes for fun, though. Just like other pests, they often come in search of food and water to bring back to their colony. They're particularly attracted to the crumbs and spills we leave behind in our kitchens, which can provide nutrients that they need to survive.

However, the residual water in our sinks and bathtubs is also a good source of much-needed moisture for ants. This is why you'll often see ants in your bathroom or around your kitchen, even if there isn't any food sitting out.

How To Keep Ants Out Of Your Home

While keeping your kitchen clean and your home free of crumbs is a good first step, it's generally not enough to stop ants from being unwanted house guests during the summer months. 

Since ants like in huge colonies with queens that can lay hundreds of eggs a day, simply killing all your home's invaders often won't stop more from coming along down the line. Plus, ants often have satellite colonies in other yards, so even if you manage to kill one colony, there may be more on their way.

That's why getting professional help with pest control is essential when you have an ant infestation. At Thomas Pest Control, we're experts in the art of keeping ants out of your home for good. That way, you can enjoy your summer without a whole colony of ants marching into your kitchen.