Featured
The Ultimate Guide to Rodent Control
Call Us
Licensed Technician
Ants have a life story that shapes how they grow and how fast an infestation can bounce back. I’ve been a licensed technician in Alexandria since 2015, and I’ve seen how knowing ant lifespan can make the difference in control. By learning their stages and habits, you can keep ants at bay more effectively.
Ants live in tight social groups, called colonies. Each colony has a queen, many workers, and seasonal drones (males).
Queens lay all the eggs. Workers are sterile females that gather food, tend brood, and defend the nest. Drones exist just to mate and die.
In single-queen species like carpenter ants, one queen can live a very long time. Multi-queen species like odorous house ants share duties, so each queen may live shorter but the colony keeps going.
Different ant species live different lengths of time, which affects how we treat them.
Carpenter ant queens often live over a decade Animal Diversity Web. Worker ants can live up to 7 years in the right conditions. It takes about 3–6 years for a colony to hit 2,000 workers Virginia Tech.
Odorous house ant colonies may house dozens of queens. Each queen and worker can live for several years USU Extension. In warm areas they can crank out 4–5 generations a year.
Pavement ant queens can live over 5 years Animal Diversity Web. Some workers also reach 5 years. Colonies may grow to 10,000 workers under good conditions.
Argentine ant workers live about 10 months Animal Diversity Web. Queens survive 1–2 years. With hundreds of queens, the colony keeps renewing itself each spring.
All ants go through four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. This process is called complete metamorphosis.
Ant eggs are tiny and white. They hatch in roughly 11–55 days, depending on species and temperature. Warmer temps speed up hatching.
Larvae are fed by workers and grow through several molts. Some species take a few weeks; others can stretch larval growth if it gets cold.
Cocooned pupae (like carpenter ants) are wrapped in silk. Others (like Argentine ants) have naked pupae. This stage lasts about 8–25 days.
New adults, called callows, look pale for a day or two until their exoskeleton hardens. Then they start work as foragers, brood tenders, or future queens/drones.
Knowing what eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults look like helps find hidden nests.
Eggs look like grains of sand. Larvae are legless and soft. Pupae may look like grains of rice or white ant shapes.
Queen alates have wings and larger bodies. After mating they lose wings and remain inside. Males are winged but slimmer and die after they mate.
Ant alates have elbowed antennae and pinched waists. Termites have straight antennae and broad waists. For more, see Termites vs Flying Ants.
Ant life cycles tie closely to the seasons in the DMV area.
Queens ramp up egg laying in spring. Many species send out winged reproductives (May–July). Capturing these flights can prevent new colonies.
Warm weather lets eggs mature in weeks. Worker numbers peak, and food needs shift from protein to sugar. Baits should match these needs.
Late summer larvae may pause and emerge next spring. Colonies shrink into core nests near warmth.
Outdoor ants enter diapause when temps drop. Indoor colonies (like odorous house ants) may keep foraging if it’s warm inside. Pavement ants can pop up near heaters.
Understanding how long ants live and breed directs how we treat them.
Single-queen colonies collapse once the queen dies. Use direct nest treatments or slow-acting baits so workers share poison and it reaches the queen.
Baits are most effective in spring and fall when workers feed brood or stockpile food. Match bait type to what ants are seeking.
Species like odorous house ants and Argentine ants can form new nests when stressed. Non-repellent baits work best, since sprays can trigger budding.
Seal foundation cracks, remove wood debris, and fix moisture issues. In Chantilly, VA, red clay soil often leads ants to foundation walls seeking moisture.
See Common Ants in Alexandria, Virginia for local ID and habits.
Our registered technicians use EPA-approved products we trust in our own homes. We avoid harsh chemicals you wouldn’t want around your kids or pets.
I’ve handled hundreds of ant calls in Alexandria, Arlington, and Ashburn. Each home and colony is unique.
We combine initial interior crack-and-crevice work with quarterly perimeter treatments. Most materials last about 90 days, so reapplication keeps ants out.
Add termite, mosquito, and tick control along with ant programs for full-year coverage.
Treat in early spring and late summer to hit colonies before they expand or swarm.
Check bait stations and reapply as needed. Unlimited callbacks means we’ll keep treating until you get relief.
Explore more on our Ants reference page.
Learn about ant rest cycles here.
See diet details here.
Get quick ID tips here.
Avoid misidentification here.
Find seasonal prevention advice here.
Local pest solutions here.
Expert service here.
Ant and other pest control here.
Knowing ant lifespan and life stages helps you hit colonies where they’re weakest. By treating at the right times, using baits carefully, and sealing entry points, you can keep ants from coming back. For help or an estimate, call 703-683-2000 or email [email protected].
Worker ants often live from a few months to several years, depending on species. Queens can live from 2 years in multi-queen colonies to over a decade in carpenter ants.
Yes. Species like odorous house ants tolerate cold and will stay active in heated walls and floors. Pavement ants near heaters may remain active too.
Winged ants, or alates, are reproductives ready to mate. Seeing them indoors means a mature colony is present and may be preparing to start new nests.
Single-queen colonies collapse once the queen dies, but multi-queen colonies or missed nests can rebuild in weeks. Proper baiting and follow-up help prevent rebounds.
Ants have pinched waists and elbowed antennae. Termites have straight antennae and no pinched waist. For details, see our Termites vs Flying Ants guide.
Baits work best when ants are feeding brood (spring and fall). Sprays hit only surface workers. Knowing when eggs, larvae, and pupae are present helps pick the right method.
Multi-queen species can bud into several nests. Use non-repellent baits placed around each entry and inside cracks. Follow up 2–3 times to reach all queens.
Seal cracks and gaps in late fall after foraging slows and before ants cluster indoors. This prep stops springtime invasions before they start.
For questions or an estimate, call 703-683-2000 or email [email protected].
With five years of hands-on experience in the pest control industry, George Schulz is a registered technician with the Virginia Pest Management Association and a proud third-generation professional in a family business that’s been protecting homes for over 57 years. He manages and trains a team of service pros while also leading internal research efforts—recently spearheading a deep-dive review of thousands of documents on pest control materials to hand-pick the most kid and pet friendly, most effective solutions tailored specifically for homes in the DC metro area. Read his bio.
