You might think winter is a time for peace from pests, but don’t let your guard down just yet. You’re not alone if you’ve noticed a trail of ants in your kitchen this winter. At Top Dog Pest Control, we see a surprising number of winter ant infestations, often catching Gold Coast homeowners off guard.
Unlike many insects, ants don’t hibernate. They adapt. When outdoor food sources become scarce and temperatures drop, ants head indoors, and your warm, food-filled home becomes an ideal shelter.
Why Ants Move Inside During Winter
On the Gold Coast, our winters are mild compared to other regions, which means ants can stay active year-round. While they may slow down slightly in cooler temperatures, they won’t stop foraging if there’s a reliable food source, like your kitchen.
Most ants spend the warmer months building nests outside, in garden beds, under pavers, or within wall cavities. But come winter, they migrate indoors looking for warmth and nutrition. Your kitchen, with its consistent temperatures and pantry offerings, is the perfect target.
How Ants Find Their Way into Your Home
Ants are resourceful and persistent. They’ll exploit tiny gaps under doors, through window seals, and around plumbing points to get inside. Once a scout ant finds food, crumbs, spills, pet bowls, or sticky surfaces, it signals the rest of the colony using pheromone trails. Suddenly, you’ve got hundreds of ants marching through your kitchen.
Ants can also nest in difficult-to-detect spots like:
Inside walls
Behind kitchen cupboards
Beneath appliances
Around hot water systems or dishwashers
These warm, protected environments are perfect for colony expansion.
Proactive Pest Control Tips for Ant Prevention
If you’re seeing ants indoors, especially in the kitchen, it’s important to act quickly. Here are some simple, proactive steps you can take:
Seal Entry Points: Look for small openings around window frames, doors, and plumbing. Use sealant or weather stripping where necessary.
Wipe Surfaces Regularly: Clean benchtops and cupboards daily, especially after preparing food.
Store Food Properly: Use airtight containers for pantry items, and avoid leaving fruit or bread out overnight.
Empty Bins Frequently: Rubbish and compost bins should be emptied regularly and kept sealed.
Clean Pet Areas: Don’t leave pet food around uneaten; ants love it.
While these measures help, they often only address part of the problem. DIY sprays might kill visible ants, but they don’t reach the colony, which means the infestation usually returns.
The Top Dog Pest Control Difference
Our expert team at Top Dog Pest Control uses proven methods that go beyond surface-level treatments. We identify nesting sites, eliminate the colony at its source, and provide practical advice to stop re-infestation.
With years of experience in Gold Coast Pest Control, we know the behaviours of local ant species and how to tackle them effectively, even in winter.
Ants don’t take the winter off, nor should your pest control strategy. If you’re noticing trails of ants around your kitchen, don’t wait for it to get worse. Fast action and professional treatment are the best ways to keep your home pest-free all year long.
Call to Action
Don’t let ants take over your kitchen this winter. Call the experts in Gold Coast Pest Control today.
1800 737 836 – Top Dog Pest Control is ready to help you reclaim your space.
