Ant infestations are one of the most common pest problems in Maryland, and many people will go for months, allowing ants to take over their yard and home before they finally put a stop to it.
But if you’re tired of battling ant infestations all summer long, you’re not alone.
Unfortunately, once ants establish a colony inside your home, especially between your walls, they can be incredibly difficult to eradicate and can even return next spring.
While not all ants are as destructive as the carpenter ant, many ants can carry diseases, spoil food, and upset your peace.
Ant control is one option for advanced infestations, but prevention is always the most cost-effective route.
Before we discuss how to solve an infestation problem, we must first answer the following: What attracts ants to my Maryland property?
Why Ants Are So Common in Maryland
Maryland’s subtropical climate and forested landscape make the perfect setting for ants to thrive from early spring through fall.
Some of the most active species you’re bound to encounter in your home and lawn include:
- Odorous House Ants: Often found trailing across kitchen counters and around sinks. These ants emit a strong, rotten coconut smell when crushed.
- Pavement Ants: Typically nest under driveways, patios, and foundation cracks. They often enter homes in search of food.
- Carpenter Ants: These large black ants are known for nesting in wood and can cause structural damage over time.
- Acrobat Ants: Common around moisture-damaged wood or insulation, especially in attics and crawl spaces.
- Pharaoh Ants: A smaller species often found indoors in warm, humid areas. Very difficult to eliminate without professional help.
Identifying the proper ants based on their behavior and appearance can help point you to the best elimination strategies.
Common Reasons Ants Invade Maryland Homes
In order to prevent and eliminate ants, it’s essential to know what attracts them to your home. Here are a few common ant attractants that you should consider eliminating or hiding:
1. Food Sources
Ants have an exceptional sense of smell, and they’re drawn to even the tiniest crumbs or sticky residues. Leaving food out, not wiping down counters, or improperly storing pantry goods can attract scouts into your kitchen. Once they find something, they’ll leave a scent trail for the rest of the colony to follow.
2. Water and Moisture
Leaky pipes, wet bathroom floors, and even condensation around windows can all serve as attractive hydration sources. This is why you often find ants in bathrooms, basements, and kitchens.
3. Cracks and Entry Points
Ants don’t need much of an opening to get inside. Tiny cracks in your foundation, gaps around doors and windows, or holes where utility lines enter the home all provide easy access. Once a colony finds a reliable entry point, it’ll keep coming back unless it’s properly sealed.
4. Outdoor Nesting Near the Home
In many cases, the nest itself is located just outside your home, such as under mulch beds, in tree stumps, or along your foundation. Unfortunately, when the weather changes or food becomes scarce outdoors, ants naturally head indoors in search of better conditions.
5. Weather Patterns
It’s common to see an uptick of ants after a heavy rainstorm, as their nest may become flooded and they will require a new shelter.
Signs You Have an Ant Problem
Ants are not particularly sneaky, so infestations are usually easy to spot. Still, it’s important to catch them early. Signs of burgeoning ant infestation that is growing out of control include:
- Visible ant trails, especially around sinks, baseboards, or pantry areas
- Small piles of dirt or wood shavings, which may indicate nesting or tunneling
- Rustling sounds in walls or ceilings, sometimes associated with carpenter ants
- Winged ants, which may indicate a colony is trying to reproduce
- Unusual ant activity near pet food bowls or trash bins
If you’re seeing multiple signs, you may be dealing with a more advanced infestation. Unfortunately, DIY methods may no longer be effective.
Why DIY Ant Control Often Fails
Many homeowners turn to over-the-counter sprays, traps, or natural remedies like vinegar. While these can kill visible ants, they rarely address the root of the problem: the colony. In fact, some treatments can cause the colony to split, creating multiple nests (a process known as budding).
Certain species, like Pharaoh ants, are especially prone to this behavior and can become even harder to eliminate if disturbed improperly.
Professional ant exterminators in Maryland use targeted baiting and exclusion techniques designed for specific species. These treatments work more slowly but are far more effective at eliminating the entire colony, not just the ants you see.
How to Prevent Ants in Your Maryland Home
Once you’ve dealt with an infestation, keeping ants out for good requires a combination of sanitation, maintenance, and prevention. While general cleanliness is always your best prevention strategy against bugs, there are additional steps you can take to prevent ants in your home or business:
- Seal entry points: Use caulk or weatherstripping around windows, doors, and utility lines.
- Clean regularly: Wipe down counters, vacuum crumbs, and rinse recyclables before storing them.
- Fix leaks: Address any plumbing issues or water damage to reduce moisture sources.
- Store food properly: Keep pantry items in airtight containers and don’t leave pet food out overnight.
- Trim vegetation: Cut back shrubs and trees that touch your home to reduce exterior access points.
- Schedule routine pest control: Preventative treatments help detect and eliminate issues before they escalate.
Understanding and eliminating what attracts ants to your home will give you the best year-round defense against ants in Maryland.
FAQs
Why do ants keep coming back after I spray them?
Store-bought sprays often kill only the ants you see, not the colony.
In fact, certain sprays can cause ants to scatter and create new nests, making the problem worse. Professional baiting systems target the entire colony at the source.
What attracts ants the most?
Ants are primarily attracted to food and moisture. Sweet or greasy residues, crumbs, sugary drinks, and even pet food are all major attractants.
Water leaks, damp wood, or humid areas like bathrooms also draw ants indoors.
Are carpenter ants worse than regular ants?
Yes. While regular ants are mostly a nuisance, carpenter ants can damage wood and weaken your home’s structure over time.
If you see large black ants indoors or find wood shavings, you may have a carpenter ant problem and should call a professional immediately.