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If you've spotted a trail of ants marching through your kitchen this summer, you're definitely not alone. Summer is one of the busiest times of year for ants in Tennessee. As temperatures rise, colonies grow, and dry or rainy weather changes their routines, ants start searching for food, water, and shelter, and sometimes your home checks all the boxes.
Most ants wander inside while looking for a snack or a drink, but if they find what they need, they're happy to stick around. Others sneak in to escape the heat or heavy rain, and some simply stumble inside by chance. The good news? You don't have to share your home with them all summer long. A few simple prevention steps, along with knowing what attracts ants in the first place, can go a long way toward keeping these tiny troublemakers where they belong…outside.
Why Does Summer Cause Ant Activity to Increase?
We all know that insects are most active in the summer. The reason for this is that the higher temperatures of summer increase their metabolic rate. They have more energy, expend more energy, and need to replenish their energy at a much faster rate than during cooler times of year.
Worker ants forage more frequently in the summer because their colony needs more food. Colonies need more food not only because the ants are more active, but also because the colony grows at a rapid pace in the summer, creating more mouths to feed. You see more ants at this time of year because they are busy making sure that all members of their colony can survive.
Why Do Heavy Summer Rains Drive Ants Indoors?
Tennessee has frequent summer storms. When a rainstorm arrives, it doesn’t just sprinkle a few raindrops outside; it drops substantial amounts of water in a short period of time. Ant colonies often find themselves scrambling to vacate flooded nests during and after these storms.
When an outdoor nest floods, ants look for drier, higher ground. They often end up indoors because houses provide an ideal refuge during wet weather. It’s not unusual to see a sudden surge in indoor ant activity during bad weather. The ants may move on when the weather clears up, or they may decide to stay if they can find a suitable location to nest inside.
Why Do Ants Enter Homes Looking for Food and Water?
The most common reason that ants get into your house in the summer is that they’re looking for food or water. With growing colonies, worker ants are busier than ever in the summer months as they gather food to bring back to all the members of their colony.
Even if you keep your kitchen tidy, it likely has sources of food available to ants that you’ve overlooked. Crumbs on the floor, spills on the counter or in your cabinets, and easily accessible food packaging in your pantry all invite ants to have a meal and invite their friends. Even pet food can be a good source of food for ants. Most people think that ants only like sugary foods, but depending on the species, they may prefer protein-rich foods as well.
If the weather becomes too dry outside, ants may also come indoors looking for water. Leaking pipes or the humidity that naturally occurs in kitchens and bathrooms at this time of year will all attract ants in search of water.
Which Ant Species Commonly Invade Tennessee Homes?
There are over 13,000 different ant species around the world, but only a handful are likely to show up in your Tennessee home. Here are the ants you’re most likely to find in your house this summer:
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Odorous house ants- These small ants are considered nuisance ants. They give off an unpleasant odor that many people compare to rotten coconut when crushed. Although they won’t bite you or otherwise damage your house, they can contaminate your food, so it’s better for your family if they don’t get inside.
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Argentine ants- Another small ant species that is considered a nuisance, Argentine ants are known for their huge colonies. It’s best to avoid an infestation due to how many of them can get into your house if left to their own devices.
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Carpenter ants- These ants are large and destructive. Although they don’t eat wood, they do chew through it to build tunnels and nests. If carpenter ants get into your house, they can damage and weaken structural wood over time.
Why Are Carpenter Ants Different From Other Household Ants?
Carpenter ants aren’t a danger to your health. They won’t bite you, and they aren’t known to spread diseases. However, they are a dangerous pest to have in your house because of their destructive tendencies.
Unlike other common ant species in Tennessee, carpenter ants are attracted to damp and decaying wood. They are more likely to enter your house looking for water damage and a lot of moisture. They’ll most often nest in areas with plenty of wood, such as around decks, window frames, and in crawl spaces.
Over time, carpenter ants can build extensive tunnels and nests within the wooden elements of your house. This weakens the wood, and over time, it can weaken it to the point of collapse.
How Do Ants Find Their Way Into Homes?
You may be wondering how ants get inside in the first place. After all, unless you leave a door open, your house is fairly secure, isn’t it? To larger visitors, your house could be Fort Knox, but to ants, it’s relatively easy to access. Think about how small ants are, then think about all of the tiny openings around the exterior of your house that they can use to get inside. Ants can easily fit through:
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Foundation cracks
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Gaps around windows and doors
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Utility penetrations
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Damaged weather stripping
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Torn window screens
Plus, once one ant finds an easy way into your house, it can leave a pheromone trail behind for other ants to follow.
What Can Homeowners Do to Make Their Homes Less Attractive to Ants?
As common as it is for ants to find their way inside, you still don’t want them in your house. It’s no fun to have bugs in your house. They can contaminate your food, and if you get carpenter ants inside, they can damage your home. To keep ants out, it helps to reduce or eliminate the things that attract them. Removing food and water sources is a great place to start. All-American Pest Control recommends:
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Wiping down counters
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Cleaning spills promptly
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Storing pantry items in airtight containers
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Washing dishes after meals
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Cleaning pet dishes
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Taking out trash regularly
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Repairing plumbing leaks
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Reducing indoor humidity
When Is It Time to Call a Professional for an Ant Problem?
Maybe you’ve tried to keep ants out of your house. You’ve kept your kitchen clean. You’ve reduced humidity and fixed moisture problems throughout your house. No matter what you do, the ants keep returning despite your best efforts.
If this is happening to you, it’s time to get in touch with professional pest control experts. A recurring ant problem can be a sign that a large, well-established colony is living nearby or is already in your house. It’s possible that the treatment methods you’ve tried aren’t working for a number of reasons. They may be the wrong method for the species of ants, you may be applying them in the wrong location, or they may simply be ineffective.
With professional ant control, you can be certain that you’re going to get treatments that work. All-American Pest Control has spent decades perfecting our treatments to target specific ant species. We’ll identify the problem, customize a treatment plan for your needs, and ensure the issue is fully resolved. Contact us if:
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Ants return repeatedly even after you’ve thoroughly cleaned
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Multiple ant trails appear throughout the home
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Carpenter ants are present
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Colonies seem to be inside your walls
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DIY treatments haven't resolved the issue
Call All-American for Ant Relief Today
Whether you have an army of ants marching through your kitchen or want to do everything in your power to avoid that scenario, get in touch with All-American Pest Control today to schedule your free home evaluation. Our local experts will identify the species, locate the source of the infestation, and develop a long-term solution that addresses both the colony and the conditions attracting ants. Let us help make your Tennessee home ant-free. Contact us today.
Dependable Pest Control in Nashville, TN & Nearby Neighborhoods
Since 1961, All-American Pest Control has been your go-to team of trusted pest experts for homes, businesses, and home builders throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Our expert team offers termite treatments, mosquito reduction, rodent removal, ant and spider control, and wasp nest removal—keeping your property protected year-round. As a local, family-owned company, we take pride in offering reliable, professional pest solutions with outstanding customer service.
We proudly serve: West End Heights, Bellevue, Brick Church, Charlotte Park, 12 South, Belmont, Burton Hills, Donelson, Edgehill, Ensworth, Hillsboro Village, Hillsboro West End, Melrose, Music Row, Radnor, Shelby Park, Sylvan Park, The Nations, Wedgewood Houston, West Nashville, Whites Creek, and the entire Davidson County and Greater Nashville areas.
For trusted pest control in Nashville, TN, and these surrounding communities, contact All-American Pest Control today! Call (615) 824-8814 or Schedule a Free Consultation online.