Ants Blog Post at Lanser Pest Solutions

Why Ants Are So Active Right Now -- and What to Do About It

As summer heats up, so does ant activity. If you’ve noticed more ants than usual crawling along your kitchen counters, swarming your patio, or trailing around your foundation, you’re not alone. The middle of summer is peak season for ant infestations in many areas -- and without proper prevention, a few nuisance ants can quickly become a frustrating, persistent problem.

In this blog, we’ll explain why ants are so active this time of year, where they’re most likely to invade, and how you can take effective steps toward long-term ant control mid-summer.

 

Why Ants Are More Active in Mid-Summer
 

Several environmental and biological factors contribute to the spike in ant activity during the middle of summer:
 
  • Heat Speeds Up Ant Metabolism. Like many insects, ants are cold-blooded, meaning their activity levels are directly tied to temperature. Warmer weather speeds up their metabolism and increases their need for food and water. That’s why you’ll often notice more ants scouting for crumbs in your kitchen or sipping condensation off your outdoor faucet.
     
  • Mating Season for Many Species. Many ant species begin swarming in in the middle of summer to start new colonies. These mating flights often lead to a sudden surge of flying ants around windows, doors, and lights. After mating, females search for new nesting sites -- sometimes right in or under your home.
     
  • Drought or Rain Can Drive Them Indoors. A dry spell may drive ants indoors in search of moisture, while heavy rains can flood their underground nests and force them to relocate. Either way, your home becomes a prime target --especially the kitchen, bathrooms, and basement.
     

Most Common Mid-Summer Ant Hotspots
 

Ants don’t just appear randomly -- they follow scent trails to food, water, or shelter. Here are some of the top areas where we see increased activity over the summer months:
 
In the Kitchen:
  • Crumbs under appliances or cabinets
  • Pet food bowls and open containers
  • Sticky spills or sugary residue on countertops
  • Trash cans that aren't tightly sealed
     
Around the Patio or Yard:
  • Leftover food or drinks after cookouts
  • Grease or crumbs near grills
  • Potted plants with moist soil (ideal for nesting)
  • Mulch or overgrown vegetation close to the home
     
Along the Foundation:
  • Cracks or gaps in the foundation or siding
  • Ant trails moving up walls or entering through weep holes
  • Nesting near AC units, spigots, or irrigation systems
     

What You Can Do


The good news? You can take several simple but effective steps today to limit ant infestations. Here’s how to get started:
 
Clean Up Attractants. Ants are excellent foragers. Even a few crumbs or a drip of juice can trigger an entire colony to move in. Focus on:
  • Wiping down counters and floors daily
  • Storing food in sealed containers
  • Rinsing recyclables before placing them in bins
  • Cleaning pet bowls and storing extra food in airtight bins

Seal Entry Points. Look for gaps around windows, doors, utility lines, and siding. Use:
  • Caulk to fill small cracks
  • Weatherstripping to seal doors and windows
  • Mesh screens on vents and drains

Control Outdoor Nesting Areas. Make your yard less inviting by:
  • Trimming back shrubs and tree branches that touch the house
  • Reducing mulch depth and pulling it back from the foundation
  • Removing rotting wood and debris
  • Fixing leaks in irrigation or hose systems

Schedule a Professional Inspection. A licensed pest control provider can:
  • Identify the species (some require specific treatment strategies)
  • Locate and treat the colony at its source
  • Set up a prevention plan to reduce long-term activity


Why DIY Isn’t Always Enough


While it's tempting to try DIY solutions first, ant control mid-summer becomes more difficult the longer you wait. Colonies are often well-established, and some species -- like odorous house ants or carpenter ants -- can form satellite nests both inside and outside your home.

If ants keep coming back despite your best efforts, it's a sign that the nest hasn't been eliminated or that new ants are still finding a way in. That's where professional help makes all the difference.


How Lanser Pest Solutions Can Help

At Lanser Pest Solutions, we understand how frustrating ant infestations can be -- especially during peak season. Our All-Season Protection Plan provides proactive treatments designed to stop infestations before they start and handle any ant surges with targeted, effective service. We don’t just spray and go!! We:
 
  • Inspect key areas where ants are likely to enter or nest
  • Treat both indoor and outdoor hotspots
  • Return at no extra cost if ants return between your scheduled visits

Ants thrive in summer thanks to ideal conditions, food availability, and their natural life cycle. But just because they’re active doesn’t mean you have to put up with them. With the right combination of prevention, cleanup, and professional treatment, you can protect your home, kitchen, and patio from mid-summer infestations.

We believe pest control should be simple, honest, and effective -- and that includes transparent pricing and personalized service.

If you’re noticing more ant activity than usual, don’t wait for it to get worse. Contact Lanser Pest Solutions today and ask about our ant control options. We’ll help you reduce the problem now and prevent it from coming back. Call today to schedule your free inspection!

 
Contact Lanser Pest Solutions Today!