Ant mounds appearing all over your lawn and sidewalks in colder weather are the result of ants adapting to temperature changes. Here’s why this happens:
- Seeking Warmth
- Colder Temperatures: As the ground cools, ants dig deeper into the soil to escape the cold. In doing so, they create more visible mounds as they bring soil to the surface.
- Sun-Exposed Areas: Sidewalks, driveways, and areas near buildings often retain heat from the sun, making these locations ideal for ants to establish colonies or migrate.
- Soil Moisture and Protection
- Rain and Cold Weather: Wet or compacted soil due to seasonal rains or cold weather encourages ants to relocate and build mounds in drier, well-drained areas, such as lawns and sidewalks.
- Flooding: If their existing nests flood, ants are forced to move and rebuild.
- Colony Maintenance
- Seasonal Nest Expansion: Many ant species build or repair their colonies before winter fully sets in, especially in areas with fluctuating temperatures.
- Food Storage: Ants may increase their activity to gather and store food for the winter, leading to more noticeable mounds.
- Species-Specific Behavior
- Fire Ants: Common in Florida, fire ants are particularly active in cooler weather. They move to higher ground (like lawns or sidewalks) to keep their colonies dry and warm.
- Other Ground-Dwelling Ants: Many ground-dwelling species like pavement ants create mounds near sidewalks or driveways for access to heat-retaining areas.
How to Manage Ant Mounds:
- Targeted Treatment:
- Use a bait product labeled for ants to target the colony.
- For fire ants, apply a fire ant-specific bait (e.g., hydramethylnon or indoxacarb) around the mounds.
- Direct Application:
- Use a granular or liquid insecticide for immediate treatment of mounds. Products containing bifenthrin or permethrin work well.
- Improve Lawn Health:
- Keep your lawn well-aerated and minimize excess moisture, which attracts ants.
- Mow at the recommended height to reduce thatch buildup, which ants can use for shelter.
- Seal Entry Points:
- Prevent ants from moving indoors by sealing cracks in sidewalks, driveways, and foundations.