Good Question: Why Do Ants Invade Our Homes?

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- When the weather warms up, we are not the only ones who can't wait to get out and about.

You will notice ants on your sidewalk and driveway, and in many cases in your kitchen, bathroom and even bedroom. And it can be really hard to get rid of them.

"It really is a temperature thing," said Entomologist Jeff Hahn, from the University of Minnesota Extension.

Hahn says there are 10 different kinds of ants that can be found in a home. Like us, they begin to move around more when the weather warms up. And also like us, they are looking for food.

Every home invader in our state is after something different. Cornfield ants are after sweets.

"Pavement ants are primarily after kind of greasy types of foods or sources of protein as well," Hahn said.

Ants can also leave a pheromone trail behind so others can find the food source. But Hahn says carpenter and pharaoh ants are not just after your food -- they are looking for a place to live.

Carpenter ants can build nests and go after wood, like termites.

"They can potentially do structural damage to your home given enough time, and that would be an ant you would not want to ignore," Hahn said.

He says it is best to first identify the type of ant you're dealing with, and U of M Extension has a good website for that. Then you can decide if ant bait will do the trick or if you need to call in an expert.

"Sometimes it's something you can do yourself. Sometimes you might need a professional pest control operator to come and help you," he said.

Hahn says people who have an ant problem will first see ants in different parts of their house. This is because they are spreading out and searching for food in a broad pattern.

Keep in mind that Terro is popular ant bait, but it appeals to ant species that are into sweets. It may not work on pavement ants, who like greasy foods.

Many species will invade your home this time of year, not find a sustainable food source and then leave.