Why Am I Seeing Ants in the Winter?

You wake up in the morning, walk downstairs ready to eat breakfast, open your fridge… and there’s an ant.

It’s winter. In Minnesota.

How is that even possible?

Most people assume ants disappear once temperatures drop, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case. In fact, winter is a very common time for homeowners in Minnesota and Wisconsin to notice ants inside their homes. The good news? There’s a reason it’s happening — and there’s a way to stop it.

Just like you, ants are trying to escape the cold. Once temperatures drop, they start searching for food, moisture, and most importantly, warmth. Your home provides everything they need to survive.

Common winter ant triggers include:

• Cold weather pushing colonies indoors
• Easy access to food crumbs or pet bowls
• Warm wall voids near furnaces or plumbing
• Moisture from kitchens, bathrooms, or basements

Once ants move in, they have no real reason to leave — and unfortunately, you can’t exactly evict them.

Ants don’t just wander into your home randomly. They usually enter through very specific areas.

Common entry points include:

• Cracks in foundations or basement walls
• Gaps around windows and doors
• Utility lines and pipe penetrations
• Wall voids where nests can stay warm

In many cases, ants are already inside the home before winter even starts. Cold weather just makes them more noticeable.

Your first instinct might be to spray the ants you see, but this can actually cause more harm than good.

Common mistakes include:

• Using store-bought sprays that only kill visible ants
• Not addressing food or moisture sources
• Ignoring small sightings that signal a larger nest
• Sealing entry points after ants are already established

Unless you target the colony itself, the problem won’t go away.

There are a few steps you can take to reduce ant activity right away:

• Clean kitchen surfaces daily, especially near sinks
• Store food in sealed containers
• Take trash out regularly
• Fix leaks or excess moisture
• Wipe up ants with vinegar or soapy water to remove scent trails

These steps can help, but they won’t permanently solve the issue if a colony is already present.

If you’re seeing ants during the winter, it often means there’s already an established colony inside your home. This is especially true if:

• Ants appear in multiple rooms
• They return after cleaning or spraying
• You see them year after year during cold months

Professional treatment targets the source of the infestation — not just the ants you see.

We commonly see winter ant issues in homes throughout the Twin Cities, Alexandria, and Western Wisconsin, where cold temperatures push pests indoors for survival. Proper identification and targeted treatment are key to stopping the problem long-term.

If you’re dealing with ants in your home this winter, our team can help.

Contact us today to schedule an inspection and keep ants out for good. 651-459-4654