Yes, in Southern California, ants often come inside for water at least as often as they do for food. Water pipe leaks are why ants so often wind up in the kitchen or bathroom.
Argentine ants can often be found invading homes across Los Angeles. It’s obnoxious when they do this. A lot of people think they go inside for food, and while that’s certainly true, water is often an even bigger reason in a climate as dry as this one.
Dripping pipes, sweating cold lines, AC condensation, and damp cabinet bases are all very attractive to ants. In mid-drought, this can bring ants into your home in great numbers. It also doesn’t help that moisture softens wood, and softened wood is far more attractive to carpenter ants. So what starts as a problem with merely annoying Argentine ants can turn into a major structural problem if carpenter ants get involved.
If water is bringing ants in, a lot of the time, fixing water problems can get rid of them. Ants can sometimes even do you a favor here, as their trails can lead you right to the source of the problem. Common places to check include cabinet bases, water heater pans, and dishwasher and refrigerated lines. Outside, it’s worth checking hose bibs, irrigation valve boxes, and sprinkler heads.
Once you find the leak, fix it and dry the area. Wipe down any ant trails with soapy water to get rid of the scent map. Then use baits so foragers carry the material back to the queens. Once the bait reaches the queen after a few days and ants stop coming inside, you can then seal up gaps around plumbing to discourage them from coming back.
If ants keep trailing to your plumbing, Mosquito Squad of Los Angeles can help. Mosquito Squad treats the ant colonies outside your home and the entry points they use. This will help you protect your kitchen and bathrooms at the source.
