Why Do Ants Swarm Patios in Hilliard?

Have you ever noticed a few ants marching across the ground, but then you come back later, and suddenly there seems to be a whole trail of them? Unfortunately, ants are a common sight around Hilliard yards, especially in the warmer months. Patios can be particularly busy spots because they offer several things ants are looking for all in one place: food, water, and shelter. If ants have made themselves regular guests at your outdoor table, Hilliard, OH pest control can help you get a better handle on what's bringing them around. Here are 5 reasons why ants might love setting up shop on your patio.

1. Your Patio May Be Close to Their Nest

Sometimes ants aren't traveling from very far away at all. If your patio has pavers, stones, or concrete, then it might have small gaps around or underneath them. Those cracks are typically filled with soil and sand that can give certain ants a place to build their nests without being immediately noticed or disturbed. You may first spot a few ants disappearing into a crack between pavers or notice small piles of dirt or sand around these openings. This can be a clue that there's ant activity going on underneath.

2. Outdoor Meals Give Ants Plenty to Find

During the summer, the patio often becomes the go-to spot for meals, snacks, and drinks outside. A few crumbs from dinner may not seem like a big deal to you, but ants are very good at finding them. Sugary drinks, fruit, popsicles, crumbs, and spills can all keep ants interested long after everyone has gone back inside. And once one ant finds a food source, others may follow the trail. After eating outside, give the table and ground a quick cleanup. It's also worth checking underneath any outdoor furniture where crumbs can easily get missed.

3. Water Can Keep Ants Around

Food isn't the only thing ants are searching for. They need water, too! A dripping hose connection, water pooling in the saucer of a flowerpot, or damp soil beside the patio can all be potential sources of water for ants. Plus, after a summer storm, water can linger in small cracks and low spots as well. Take a look around the patio the next time you're watering the plants.

4. Landscaping Can Lure Ants Right Next Door

Many patios are surrounded by flower beds, mulch, shrubs, and other landscaping. Unfortunately, those areas can also give ants plenty of places to settle in. Ornamental landscaping areas tend to hold moisture in the soil, while stones and thick plants offer lots of cover. You may notice ant trails running back and forth between these types of spots and your patio. But don’t worry, there’s no need to get rid of the landscaping you enjoy. Instead, focus on keeping the flowerbeds tidy and plants from becoming too overgrown.

5. Spraying the Ants You See May Not Be Enough

It's easy to grab an over-the-counter spray when ants start trailing across your patio. While that may take care of the ones in front of you, the ants above ground are only part of the colony. If they built their nest beneath your patio or somewhere else nearby, treating individual ants typically won’t get to the root of the problem. That's when professional pest control can help you, especially when ants keep showing up in the same spots.

Get Help with Ants Around Your Outdoor Spaces

Mosquito Squad Plus of Columbus offers outdoor pest management for homeowners dealing with ants and other unwanted bugs. Our technicians can look at where ants are showing up around your home and what may be keeping them around. Instead of treating every property the same way, we focus on the areas that need attention around your specific yard. While a few ants passing through the yard may not bother you, when the trails start taking over your patio, it's a different story. For Hilliard, OH pest control, call Mosquito Squad Plus of Columbus at (614) 808-8019 for a free quote and learn more about our recurring outdoor pest management for your property.