Get Ready for Carpenter Ants to Come out of Hibernation

The winter in Montreal offers a welcome reprieve from many common household pests, but it won’t last forever. This time of year, carpenter ant colonies in our area are in a deep state of hibernation that allows them to preserve precious fat reserves and survive until spring. Once the temperatures start to creep above freezing, however, the carpenter ants will begin to wake up and start foraging for food again.

In the late winter and early spring, carpenter ants will be hungry for fresh fats, sugars and proteins.

That’s why it’s important for homeowners to make their houses as unappetizing as possible. Be sure to clean up kitchen spills as soon as they happen, and seal any open containers of food you might have in your cabinets or pantry. Keep pet food stored in sealed containers as well; an open bag of dog food in the basement can be a magnet for carpenter ants.

It’s also important to keep in mind that not all of the carpenter ants in our area have gone into hibernation. Some that have already taken up residence in warm buildings will stay active all winter long. This means that if you spot a few carpenter ants in your kitchen during the winter, there’s a good chance an entire colony is hiding somewhere in your home.

There are still a few more weeks of winter left, but the days will start getting warmer before we know. At Central Extermination, we’re ready to tackle whatever pest problems the changing seasons throw at us. If you’re concerned about carpenter ant activity in your home, our talented team of exterminators would be happy to lend a hand. Give us a call or contact us online today to schedule an appointment.