Ants, like many other insects, hibernate during the winter season. Regular ants that make their nests in the ground go four feet below the surface to survive the cold weather. But that’s not the case with the ants that live inside the wood – the carpenter ants. So, the question is, where do the carpenter ants go in winter? Now here is a fascinating fact about carpenter ants. This species of ants, known as the carpenter ants, is blessed with a magical, natural, anti-freeze formula. This magical element is known as Glycerol. When winter is around the corner, it’s time to freeze all the hustle and bustle for the carpenter ants. They start becoming less and less active as the weather gets colder. Once it starts getting near to the sub-zero temperatures, Glycerol starts producing in the bodies of carpenter ants.
How Do Carpenter Ants Hibernate?
The Glycerol produced naturally in the bodies of carpenter ants protects them from freezing in freezing weather. Carpenter ants usually start to limit their physical activity as the winter is near. Once they sense that the temperature has fallen below their tolerance level, Glycerol comes into use. This fantastic chemical keeps the carpenter ants motionless for at least three months, and they can easily survive the season by hibernation. Now you know how carpenter ants hibernate during the winter.
What Happens To Their Nests During The Winter?
Now you must be wondering, what about their colonies or nests they work on during the rest of the year? In some cases, ants lace their colony’s pathways with the same chemical they use for hibernation – Glycerol. This preserves all their hard work in a reusable condition. While in other cases, carpenter ants clean their nests and colonies of any particles that can draw other pests’ attention. While they are motionless, they will not be able to protect their colonies. That is the reason carpenter ants ensure maximum security for their nests and colonies during the winter.
How To Prevent Carpenter Ants’ Infestation?
Now you know that your house is safe from the ants’ infestation during the winter. But what about the rest of the months? When it is warmer and comfortable temperature for ants to infest. The best way to prevent an ant infestation is to seal all the entry points during the winter when ants are out of the way. You can also keep some natural ant repellents such as lavender, rosemary, peppermint, etc. Still, if you fail to prepare before an infestation, you will be only left with one choice. And that is to contact professional pest control experts.
The Take-Away
When it comes to carpenter ants’ infestation, it doesn’t really matter what they do in winter. The crucial thing is to ensure that they don’t infest your house when they are active. You can also use some of the recommended methods to get rid of the carpenter ants. And if all fails, you can hire professional ant exterminators because you will not be able to get rid of the carpenter ants on your own. Also, you can ensure long-term relief from pest infestation by getting your house treated by professionals.