Where do all those ants go in the winter? Just like the leaves falling in late autumn, ants seemingly disappear (or do they). Short of calling it hibernation, they will enter a dormant stage in which they lay low, feeding off the fats, carbohydrates and proteins they stored. Ants consume large amounts of food in late summer and early fall to put on fat, thereby allowing them to go without much sustenance through the winter months. Ants are masters of overwintering, when cold air hits their body temperatures drop radically and their movements become lethargic. If their current nest isn’t adequate, they will then seek out warmer places, such as deep soil, under logs or in the bark of trees. Many species overwinter by gathering together to maintain body heat, especially around the queen, ensuring future generations. If they are still living in their nests, they will close down the entrance and traffic ceases. When warmer weather returns in the spring, the ants will become active again and worker ants will leave the nest in search of food. To eliminate the chance of a colony overwintering in your walls, contact a professional to have the perimeter of your house treated to kill ants on contact.
