When Do Ants Come Out During the Year? Expert Pest Tips

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.

Why Timing of When Spring Ants Come Out Matters

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.

Regional Climate Triggers for Ant Activity

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:

Chantilly’s red clay holds heat, drawing ants to foundations
Brambleton’s moisture shifts drive nests indoors
Great Falls’ large homes emit moisture that ants seek

Annual Life-Cycle Phases and When Ants Come Out

Ant colonies follow a simple cycle each year:

Dormancy (Nov-Feb)
Spring resurgence (Mar-May): brood build-up, kitchen or bathroom trails
Reproductive flights (May-Jul)
High foraging (Jun-Sep)
Fall consolidation (Sep-Oct): fat storage, indoor incursions

Learn more about how ant roles change over time in our Ant Lifespan guide and their rest habits in Do Ants Sleep?.

Nuptial Flight Windows and Reproduction Months

Ant flights mark the start of new colonies. Watch for:

Winter ant flights: late Feb-early Apr on the first 60 °F rain day (UF IFAS)
Carpenter ant flights: Mar-Jul, peak Apr-May (UMD Extension)
Pavement ant swarms: mid-Mar-late Sep, huge June peaks (NCSU Extension)
Odorous house ant alates: June-July
Fire ant flights: May-Sep in warm, humid soil (VDACS)

Key Mid-Atlantic Ant Pest Profiles

Odorous House Ant

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.

Carpenter Ant

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?.

Pavement (Immigrant) Ant

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.

Winter (False Honey) Ant

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.

Argentine & Other Tramp Species

In DC heat-islands, these ants forage year-round. Use protein baits in spring and sugar baits in summer for best results.

Red Imported Fire Ant

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.

Seasonal Food Preferences and Bait Logic

Ants switch diets as the year goes on:

Spring: protein/lipids for larvae
Summer: carbs for energy
Fall: protein returns for fat reserves

Close-up of a black ant

Carpenter ants crawling on wood

Colony of ants on water surface

Aphids and an ant on a plant stem

Group of ants on fruit

Season-Aligned Strategies to Get Rid of Ants

Effective control follows the calendar:

Early spring (Feb-Apr): non-repellent perimeter sprays, slow baits
Late spring-early summer: treat lights and windows to catch alates
Mid-summer: seal gaps, fix leaks, avoid repellents that fragment nests
Late summer-fall: inject wall voids for carpenter ants, broadcast granular baits
Winter: seal entries, watch for satellite nests inside

For more prevention tips, see our How To Keep Ants Away guide.

Month-by-Month Treatment Calendar (VA/MD/DC)

Jan: winter-ant foraging; inspect for carpenter-ant noise
Feb: bait placements on warm snaps
Mar: soil ≥ 50 °F; set odorous house ant baits
Apr-May: treat carpenter and pavement ant flights
Jun-Jul: apply non-repellent barriers; watch indoor incursions
Aug: fire-ant growth-regulator bait in quarantine zones
Sep-Oct: carb-rich granular baits; seal gaps
Nov-Dec: dormancy; inspect for indoor satellite nests

Climate Change and Regulatory Considerations

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).

The Better Method for Ant Outbreaks

    
Our Process Targets Ants at Every Stage
 Expert phone consultation with licensed technicians
78-point home inspection checking moisture and entry points
Initial interior/exterior non-repellent treatments and baits
Seasonal Protection Plan with tri-annual visits (three times per year) and free unlimited callbacks
 

Ants in a corner of a room

Numerous ants on a window sill

Group of ants feeding on food

Close-up of a red ant

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.

Why Proactive Timing Beats Reactive Treatments

Catching ants before they fission saves up to 50% on treatments. Preventive perimeter baits in March mean fewer visits in July.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do ants start appearing in homes?

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.

At what temperature do ants become active?

Most temperate ants forage once soil and air temps reach around 50 °F. Urban heat-islands can trigger activity earlier in sheltered spots.

When do carpenter ants swarm?

Carpenter ants swarm from March through July, peaking in April and May. Treating satellite nests early can cut down on structural damage.

How can I prevent ants from coming out in spring?

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](/how-to-keep-ants-away/).

Do ants ever come out in winter?

Only winter ants stay active at 30-60 °F. Other species retreat to deep soil or indoor voids until spring.

How long do ant infestations typically last?

A single colony can forage above ground for six to eight months. Follow-up treatments every 90 days keep them at bay.

What should I do if I see ant trails indoors?

Identify and seal entry points first. Then use non-repellent baits or call our licensed technicians for targeted treatments.

How often should I treat my home for ants?

Most materials last about 90 days. Our Seasonal Protection Plan includes tri-annual visits (three times per year) and free callbacks to keep ants out all year.

About the Author

George Schulz

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.