Why Are There Suddenly Ants All Over My House?

If you’re wondering why ants have suddenly infested your home, you’re in good company. Ants are a common pest problem for homeowners in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and throughout New Mexico. No matter how hard you try to prevent them from infesting, they always seem to find a way in. But why is that? In this article, we’ll take a look at how ants get in, what conditions make your home and property appealing to these pests, and what homeowners can do to stop the influx of ant activity.

Ants show up in homes because there's a way in

The majority of pest problems originate on the outside of the home so if you have ants in your home, the simplest explanation is that they found a way in. And quite honestly, that’s not hard to do when you’re less than an inch long. Any tiny crack, crevice, or opening on the exterior of the house can serve as an entry point for ants and other insects for that matter. It would be impossible to list every way ants can get inside your house but here are a few of the more common entry points:

Seams of walls
Foundation cracks and gaps
Openings around windows & doors
Space under garage doors
Gaps where utility lines enter the structure

A good rule of thumb, any crack, gap, or opening on the exterior of your house – from the ground level to the top of the roof – should be considered a way in for opportunistic pests.

You might be carrying ants indoors too

What attracts ants in the first place

Simply put, ants are attracted to food, water, and shelter. If your property provides all three of those elements, there’s a good chance you’ll develop an ant problem at some point.

Food sources
Ants are always foraging for food sources and while preferences vary by species, outdoors most ants eat live or dead insects and honeydew produced by aphids and scale insects.

When they infest homes, they may go after insects already present but also feed on a variety of household staples including foods high in sugar, meats, pet food, grease, fruits, vegetables, and grains.

Water sources
Just like us, ants need water in order to survive. They are able to get water from the food they consume but they’ll also utilize the water dripping from leaking pipes and/or appliances and indoor houseplants. They may also be drawn to areas of a home that are damp or experiencing moisture issues, like bathrooms and laundry rooms.

Shelter
Although most ants nest outdoors, they may take shelter in homes because they offer protection from the elements and are in close proximity to the food and water sources mentioned above.

In New Mexico, ants are particularly active during droughts

Ant prevention tips for NM property owners

To make your property less appealing to ants and to keep these pests out of your home, Greenway Pest Solutions recommends the following ant prevention tips:

Seal any cracks and gaps around doors and windows
Seal or caulk any potential entry point on the exterior
Fix leaking pipes
Repair or replace leaky appliances
Remove water-damaged wood
Do not overwater houseplants
Wipe up any spills and crumbs right away
Do not leave open containers of food or food waste around
Wash dishes after every use and do not leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight
Remove overgrown vegetation
Trim back shrubs and other landscaping elements so that they do not touch the house
Store firewood away from the house and off the ground