It is a scenario Manchester homeowners know all too well: summer comes, its signature New England humidity settles, and those tiny black trails appear across kitchen counters and bathroom tiles. Charlotte has its own unique climate that creates the ideal conditions for ant colonies to build their nests and spread into living spaces.
At 73% average summer humidity in Manchester, these pests find your home the perfect habitat to escape the outdoor moisture, whilst searching for food and shelter. Of all pests, ants are especially tough on locals due to older houses, high-density neighbourhoods, and seasonal climates. Suppose they continue to fail to get rid of the problem entirely. In that case, it is necessary to enlist the services of a professional pest control service to allow them to protect your home in the long term.
How Humid Summers Increase Ant Infestation?
1. Moisture Attracts Ant Colonies
Ants are more active during high humidity, which is also the best condition for reproduction and colony expansion. During the summer months, humidity levels often exceed 70 % in Manchester, causing outdoor ant colonies to seek out indoor environments that provide constant moisture.
2. Food Sources Become More Accessible
With the summer humidity making food particles stick to surfaces longer, there are plenty of feeding opportunities. Even the tiniest crumb of food will be noticed by ants as the food and moisture become more visible during the wet months.
3. Weakened Home Barriers
Tight weather expands and contracts wood, creating new entry points around windows, doors, and the foundation. The gaps are pathways for scout ants looking for places to nest.
4. Increased Outdoor Activity
In the summer months, residents of Manchester are outside more, and doors and windows are open. More people around means more opportunities for ants to sneak into houses.
5. Seasonal Reproduction Cycles
Most species of ants have reproductive surges when it is warm and humid. Pest control data suggests that ant-related service calls peak in Manchester and increase by 68% from June to August compared to the winter months.
Preventive Steps Manchester Homeowners Can Take
- Close entry points around windows and doors – Weatherstripping and caulk to close gaps that expand during hot and humid weather, which is especially common in older Manchester homes with settling foundations
- Provide ventilation – Turn on exhaust fans or open windows in bathrooms and kitchens to decrease humidity, as ant colonies are attracted to humid places
- Keep food in airtight containers – Put dry food in sealed containers, as humid air makes food smell stronger to ants wandering about searching for weeks.
- Promptly clean up spills – Such a wet environment, even the tiniest crumbs lure in scouts. Be sure to wipe down all surfaces daily and vacuum often
- Repair water leaks immediately – Dripping faucets, condensation problems, and plumbing issues create the sources of moisture ants crave during dry times
- Trim back greenery around your home – Keeping shrubs and tree branches at least 6 feet from outside walls will remove the ants’ raging highways to your home
How Professionals Help Manchester Homeowners Stay Ant-Free
Generic DIY methods do not hold a candle to professional pest control services when it comes to understanding Manchester ant species and their seasonal patterns. Local experts can determine which species of ant live in the Merrimack Valley and tailor the treatment plan to those specific species.
Experts like Anchor Pest Services best handle the unique housing and weather challenges in Manchester. They know the characteristics of the historic homes juxtaposed with newer developments that make the city more vulnerable and know different treatment modalities, if needed. Professional technicians know how to identify hidden moisture sources and points of entry that go unnoticed by most homeowners in a self-review.
With professional-grade products and application methods, customers will enjoy more durable protection compared to store-bought solutions, making it faster and simpler to protect their property investment and save time and frustration down the line.