How to Tell if You Have an Ant Infestation From Outside
If you’re noticing ants around your home or property, it’s important to determine if you have an infestation that’s originating from outside. Ants often start their colonies outdoors before they find their way inside, and recognizing the early signs of an infestation outside can help prevent bigger problems later on. Here’s how you can tell if you have an ant infestation from the outside:
1. Visible Ant Mounds or Nests in the Yard
One of the most common signs of an outdoor ant infestation is the presence of ant mounds or nests in your yard. Certain types of ants, like pavement ants or fire ants, build visible mounds as they dig out their nests. These mounds can be found in garden beds, along driveways, or near your home’s foundation.
What to look for: Small hills or piles of dirt that ants have pushed up while creating their nest. The ants will often be seen coming in and out of these mounds, and if you disturb the mound, it may swarm with ants.
2. Ant Trails Leading Toward Your Home
If you notice ants forming trails on the ground around your property, especially along pathways, walls, or the perimeter of your house, it’s a clear sign that they are searching for food or moisture. These trails usually lead to food sources like trash cans, pet food, or garden areas, and they may eventually lead them inside your home.
What to look for: Ants moving in a straight line, typically following a path along the ground or climbing up the side of your house, windows, or door frames. They are often in search of food or water.
3. Increased Ant Activity Near the Foundation
If ants are swarming near the foundation of your house, it may indicate that they are establishing a nest nearby or trying to get inside. Carpenter ants, in particular, prefer to nest in wood and can cause structural damage to your home. You may see ants gathering around cracks or gaps in the foundation where they can easily enter.
What to look for: Large numbers of ants near the base of your home, particularly around wooden areas or cracks in concrete and foundation walls. If they’re carpenter ants, look for wood shavings or signs of damage near their entry points.
4. Ants Inside Cracks or Gaps in the Exterior
If you find ants along exterior surfaces like window frames, door thresholds, or under eaves, it could be a sign that ants are coming from outside and finding their way into your home. Check these areas for visible ant activity or signs of trails leading to or from the inside.
What to look for: Look for ants clustering around cracks or holes in window sills, doorways, or other openings in the exterior of your house. This could be a sign they are using these entry points to move inside.
5. Ants Around Garbage Bins or Compost
If you notice a lot of ants gathering around your trash bins, compost piles, or other areas where food waste is stored, they are likely foraging for food. Ants, especially sugar ants and carpenter ants, are attracted to sugary and greasy food remnants, and a nearby food source could lead them to nest near or inside your home.
What to look for: Ants swarming around trash bins or compost piles, particularly after food has been discarded. They may also be seen crawling along the ground near your trash storage area.
6. Flying Ants or Swarmers Around the Exterior
During certain times of the year, particularly in the spring and summer, ants send out winged reproductive ants, called swarmers, to mate and establish new colonies. If you see winged ants flying around the exterior of your home, it could be a sign that you have a large colony nearby, potentially inside the walls or under the foundation.
What to look for: Flying ants are often seen near windows, doors, or outdoor light fixtures. They may swarm during certain seasons, and if you spot them around your home, it could indicate that the colony is mature and ready to expand.
7. Wood Damage or Sawdust Near Outdoor Wood Structures
Carpenter ants, in particular, are attracted to damp or decaying wood, and they can cause significant damage to wooden structures. If you notice sawdust or small piles of debris around outdoor wooden structures like fences, decks, or wooden steps, it may be a sign that carpenter ants are nesting nearby.
What to look for: Piles of sawdust or fine wood shavings at the base of wooden structures, especially around areas that are damp or in contact with the ground.
8. Increased Ant Activity Near Moisture-Prone Areas
Ants are also drawn to areas with moisture. If you find ants near leaky pipes, drainage systems, or water sources in your yard, they may be searching for water to bring back to their colony. This is especially true in the case of moisture-loving species like carpenter ants, which need damp wood to build their nests.
What to look for: Ants moving around areas with excess moisture, such as near leaking faucets, drainage pipes, or wet soil.
9. Ants Around Potted Plants or Gardens
Ants can also infest garden areas, particularly if there are aphids present, which produce a sugary substance ants love to feed on. In such cases, ants may set up shop in your garden and bring food back to the colony. They may also nest in the soil of potted plants.
What to look for: Ants swarming around plants or garden beds, especially where there are aphids or other pests that may be providing a food source.
What to Do if You Notice Signs of an Ant Infestation Outside
If you’ve identified signs of an ant infestation around your home, it’s important to act quickly to prevent them from entering your property. Here are a few steps to take:
Seal Cracks and Gaps: Check for and seal any gaps, cracks, or entry points around your foundation, windows, and doors.
Remove Food Sources: Keep outdoor trash bins sealed and remove any food waste or pet food from the yard. You can also relocate compost piles away from the home.
Maintain Your Yard: Trim trees, bushes, and plants that may be in contact with your home. This reduces the chances of ants using them as bridges to enter your house.
Use Ant Bait or Insecticide: You can use ant bait or insecticide around outdoor areas to deter ants from establishing nests near your home.
Call a Professional: If the infestation is large or if you suspect ants have made their way into your home, it’s best to contact a pest control professional to eliminate the problem.
