Here in Northern New Jersey, you’ve probably seen ants crawling around at pretty much all times of day and most times of the year as well. But for ant control purposes and to prevent ant infestations, you may have wondered when ants are out and about the most with regard to times of day and seasons of the year.

In this article, we answer common ant questions, such as “Are ants nocturnal?” and “When are ants most active?” so that you can feel confident in your pest control solutions.

Are Ants Nocturnal?

There is no simple answer to this question because some types of ants are more active during the day, some at night, and some at both day and night. When ants are most active largely depends upon the climate they live in, how readily available food sources are, and where their nests are located. Ants that live in cold climates are more likely during the day because it is warmer and more comfortable then. In hot climates, ants tend to come out more at night when the temperatures aren’t so scorching hot.

Certain species of ants are also more prone to night activity vs. day activity. Carpenter ants, which are common in New Jersey, are a nocturnal ant species that typically leave their nests while humans are sleeping to go gather food. Yet many other ants that we have in our area are considered to be diurnal and are frequently seen throughout the day collecting food and defending themselves from predators.

Places Where Ants Are Especially Active

The place where you live and where you look may also impact your perception of ant activity on your property. Ants build nests both indoors and outdoors, and they are very skilled at finding entry points to access food and shelter. Common places for outdoor ant activity are piles of firewood, dirt mounds in yards, underneath yard debris, and around utility boxes.

Something else to be aware of is that ants have circadian rhythms just like humans do. But unlike humans, ants’ sleep patterns are not typically regulated by how much daylight they are exposed to each day. It is very likely that ants do not see any light for days because they are living underground in their tunnels. This is where ants spend most of their time, so they are quite comfortable with dark environments – whether that is the hours between sunset and sunrise or in those dark cracks and crevices in the corners of your home.

Times of Year for Increased Activity

In general, ants are most commonly seen during the summer months in New Jersey. During our long and cold winters, many ants will go into somewhat of a “hibernation mode” to conserve energy and resources. During the winter, ants are not actually sleeping all day. But they slow down their activity levels and are less likely to be seen by humans.

Take Control Over Your Ant Situation

No matter what time of day it is or what season it is, Precise Termite & Pest Control can help with your ant problem. Ant control and removal in Bergen County is one of our top specialties and something that we help so many residents with each and every year.

We know all the best strategies for getting rid of ants and know the best times to target them for safe, efficient, and humane removal. To learn more about how we can help with your ant infestation and to schedule your free inspection, contact us at 866-971-2847.

Many DIY-savvy homeowners invest in numerous ant control products, such as sprays, traps, and baits, in an attempt to handle ant infestations themselves. But did you know that many common items that you already have in your cupboards and pantry are effective in fighting ants as well?

This article explores the various household ingredients that deter ants and what to do when these DIY approaches aren’t enough to handle an ant infestation.

Vinegar

A tip for how to kill ants in the kitchen is to mix a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle and then spray it directly onto ants when you see them. Vinegar is also useful for deterring ants from areas where they typically come into a home, such as doorways and windowsills.

Chalk

Chalk is made from calcium carbonate, which ants strongly dislike. Ordinary sticks of chalk can be used around the bases of counters and tables so that ants don’t climb up from the ground onto higher surfaces. However, you will need to apply chalk regularly to get the ant-repellent effects since it wipes off easily with normal household activity.

Dish Soap

Killing fire ants with dawn dish soap is a common at-home remedy for ant problems and works well with ingredients you likely already have at home. Mix one part dish soap with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray it directly onto ants to kill them. You may need to do this for several days in a row until the entire colony is dead.

Borax

Borax is commonly used in cleaning products and is lethal to ants. You can mix borax with water and confectioner’s sugar to create a paste that you put in containers near ant entry points. Worker ants will carry the sweet (yet toxic-to-them) substance back to their nests and be poisoned.

Citrus

Ants also hate citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits. You can put the juice of citrus fruits into a spray bottle to spray on door jams and window sills. Another idea is to puree orange peels with a bit of water and rub the mixture on these areas of a home to deter ants.

Coffee

Coffee grounds work well as an ant-repellant because ants don’t like the smell of coffee or the feeling of the grounds on their feet. Try sprinkling coffee grounds around your plants both inside and outside to keep pesky ants away.

When Household Items Aren’t Enough

While these natural, at-home remedies are certainly worth a try, they aren’t always the fastest, easiest, or most effective ways to get rid of ants. This is especially true if you have a widespread ant infestation that spans multiple areas of your home and property.

The best way to get ants out of your life is to call Precise Termite & Pest Control for a free and professional inspection. We know all of the best tips and tricks for exterminating ants and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all our services. Residents of Bergen and Passaic counties trust us whenever they have ant problems of any type or size, so call us at 866-971-2847 or contact us online.

Having just a few ants outside around your property is not usually a cause for concern. But what if those ants begin multiplying and making their way inside your house?

When you notice an ant problem, there are many commercial products that you can buy to take a DIY approach. Here are the best ant sprays to try using to curb an infestation next time you notice ants.

1. Terro T401SR Ant Killer Spray

This ant spray kills ants on contact and keeps killing them for up to six weeks. Not only can it be used on ants, but also on cockroaches, crickets, beetles, and other insects. You can use this effective spray inside or outside to control ants, but it does have a strong smell and can be harmful to kids and pets.

2. Raid Ant Killer 26

Raid is a well-known ant spray brand and has multiple options to choose from, including Raid Ant Killer 26. This product has residual action that lasts for up to four weeks and also kills ants on contact. It has no lingering odor and works well with carpenter ants and cockroaches. Although this product has lingering effects, it is not necessarily a long-term solution since you need to keep applying it.

3. EcoSMART Organic Ant Spray

One of the best ant sprays if you want an eco-friendly option is EcoSMART Organic Ant Spray. This is a fast-acting spray that kills on contact and doesn’t stain surfaces. However, this product is costlier than many other ant sprays on the market and is best used or small ant problems rather than widespread infestations.

4. Mdxconcepts Organic Home Pest Control Spray

A family-friendly ant spray to consider for your home is this one that doesn’t contain any chemicals. Instead, it’s made from organic extracts to kill ants instantly for both indoor and outdoor use. This spray does have a slight odor and may leave a filtrate layer behind on some surfaces though.

5. Ortho Home Defense

For longer-lasting results, many homeowners choose Ortho Home Defense for indoor use. It is ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements and can repel ants for up to three months after sprayed. This product is easy to use but it does contain potentially toxic chemicals and is more expensive than other DIY solutions.

When Ant Sprays Aren’t Enough

Using one of these best ant sprays is certainly worth a try when you see ants gathering around your home, but sometimes DIY sprays just aren’t enough to get the job done. This is when it’s time to call Precise Termite and Pest Control for a free inspection and professional extermination. We know all the best tips and tricks for getting stubborn ants out of your house for good based on the specific type of ants you’re dealing with. Call us at 866-971-2847 to learn more!

It has been estimated that there are around one quadrillion ants living on our planet today, and there are over 12,000 different ant species here as well. Ants live in diverse habitats all over the world, and Northern New Jersey is certainly no exception.

Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about ants to help you better understand these insects and what to do if they start invading your home or yard.

Where Do Ants Live?

Ants are a resilient type of insect and can live nearly anywhere – both outside and inside. Ants are often found living in trees, cracks in the sidewalks, and in kitchens with open containers of food. Kitchen counters, bathroom sinks, behind baseboards, and inside walls are all common ant habitats inside a home. Ants can eat a wide variety of foods and thrive on food scraps left behind, dead animals or insects, and trash.

One particularly troublesome type of ant that we encounter in our area is the fire ant. These ants build large mounds near rotting logs and tree stumps. You’ll often find these ants underneath your home, shed, and other structures on your property.

How Long Do Ants Live?

Different ant species live for different lengths of time. An ant’s location, access to food and shelter, and role in the ant colony also impact how long an ant lives. This is pretty fascinating because it means that ants can live anywhere from a few days to even a few decades!

Male ants generally have the shortest lifespans and only live a few days after mating. Worker ants are nonreproductive female ants that maintain the ant colony and typically live up to a few months. Queen ants can live for several years or even longer under the right conditions.

Those fire ants we mentioned earlier often live for a little over a month. If an ant of any kind has access to food and water, it will live longer and thrive in the environment. Ants that live in warm climates remain active throughout the year, while cool-weather ants can become dormant during the winter to survive the harsh conditions.

Ant Control in New Jersey

We hope this helps satisfy your curiosity about the common questions of “Where do ants live?” and “How long do ants live?” Ants are certainly interesting to learn about, but they aren’t something that you want to deal with on your property or especially inside your home. Precise Termite & Pest Control offers the best ant control and removal services in Northern New Jersey to help you identify, address, and exterminate an ant problem right away.

Ant removal is very tricky, and a DIY approach rarely gets the job done right or for the long-term. Call our team of ant control specialists at the first signs of ant activity or unexplained insect damage and we’ll be happy to come out for a free inspection. Fortunately, ant issues are easily controllable with the right tools and expertise, so don’t delay getting in touch with us online or by phone at 866-971-2847.