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The Ultimate Guide to Rodent Control
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Ants don’t wander in by accident. When do ants come out tells you which species you face. In DC we see kitchen or bathroom trails right after temperatures jump in late March. I’ve tracked these patterns since 2015, helping homeowners prevent big infestations.
Timing shows you the species and the right treatment. For example, spring sightings usually mean odorous house ants, while summer swarms point to pavement ants. Getting ahead of these windows cuts down follow-up visits and saves you money.
In the Mid-Atlantic, ants wake when soil temps hit about 50 °F—often in late March. According to a Virginia Tech study, daytime highs above 55 °F boost foraging fast. Local quirks matter too:
Ant colonies follow a simple cycle each year:
Learn more about how ant roles change over time in our Ant Lifespan guide and their rest habits in Do Ants Sleep?.
Ant flights mark the start of new colonies. Watch for:
These form one nest in winter, then bud out in spring. They forage at 43–95 °F and love sweet baits year-round. Early-spring liquid baits or non-repellent sprays stop them before they spread. Learn more in the Ant Identification Chart.
Indoor satellite nests can buzz in Feb–Mar. Outside, activity climbs in late spring. Late-summer eggs mean damage risk. Treatments combine non-repellent dusts in wall voids with protein baits outside. See what they eat in What Do Carpenter Ants Eat?.
Colonies can exceed 10,000 workers. June’s “volcanoes” mark nest openings. They like grease and sweets. Best control is slow-acting granular or gel baits in April–May.
Active at 30–60 °F, they estivate when it’s hot. Rarely cause damage. Seal cracks and gaps to keep them out—no pesticides needed.
In DC heat-islands, these ants forage year-round. Use protein baits in spring and sugar baits in summer for best results.
Quarantine now covers 18 VA counties as of May 2025. Colonies hoard food in late summer—broadcast growth-regulator baits in Aug–Sep for max impact.
Ants switch diets as the year goes on:
Practical bait plan:
Effective control follows the calendar:
For more prevention tips, see our How To Keep Ants Away guide.
Warmer winters—up 2–3 °F since the 1980s—add about three weeks to ant season. Urban microclimates support year-round Argentine ant trails. Plus, fire-ant quarantine zones keep expanding (VDACS).
Our process targets ants at every stage:
All products we use are EPA approved and vetted by our internal research team. We only pick products we’d use in our own homes.
Catching ants before they fission saves up to 50% on treatments. Preventive perimeter baits in March mean fewer visits in July. My tip: schedule that first spring visit as soon as soil hits 50 °F.
Ready to stop ants for good? Call us at 703-683-2000 or email info@bettertermite.com for a free estimate.
Ants usually show up in kitchens or bathrooms in late March when soil temps hit about 50 °F. They follow moisture and food trails, so early spring inspections help stop them.
Most temperate ants forage once soil and air temps reach around 50 °F. Urban heat-islands can trigger activity earlier in sheltered spots.
Carpenter ants swarm from March through July, peaking in April and May. Treating satellite nests early can cut down on structural damage.
Place liquid and granular baits around foundations in March. Seal cracks, fix leaks, and remove crumbs. For more tips, check our How To Keep Ants Away.
Only winter ants stay active at 30–60 °F. Other species retreat to deep soil or indoor voids until spring.
A single colony can forage above ground for six to eight months. Follow-up treatments every 90 days keep them at bay.
Identify and seal entry points first. Then use non-repellent baits or call our licensed technicians for targeted treatments.
Most materials last about 90 days. Our Seasonal Protection Plan includes quarterly visits and free callbacks to keep ants out all year.
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.
