6. Winged Ants or Swarmers Indoors
Winged ants — also known as alates or swarmers — appear when a colony reaches maturity and is ready to reproduce. You’ll usually spot them around:
- Windows and glass doors
- Ceiling lights or wall fixtures
- Attic vents or crawlspace openings
These ants typically swarm in late spring or early summer in California, particularly after a heatwave or light rain.
Pro Tip: If you see winged ants in the middle of winter, the nest is almost certainly inside your home.
7. Discarded Wings on Floors and Sills
After mating, swarmers shed their wings. If you find tiny piles of wings, especially around windows or in your garage, it’s a clear sign that a nearby nest is growing.
Hotspots to Check:
- Window tracks
- Around vents and HVAC units
- Underneath light fixtures
The more wings you find, the more likely it is that the nest is indoors.
8. Nighttime Ant Activity You Didn’t Notice Before
Most California ants, particularly Argentine ants and odorous house ants, become highly active at night. This helps them avoid daytime heat and predators.
Where to Observe After Dark:
- Around your kitchen sink
- In garages and laundry rooms
- On outdoor patios or walls under porch lights
Grab a flashlight and quietly check your kitchen or bathrooms around 10 PM. You might be surprised at what you find.
9. Persistent Reinfestations After Cleaning or Spraying
If you’re constantly seeing ants return just days after cleaning or spraying, it’s likely that:
- You’re treating only the visible foragers, not the colony
- The nest is located inside the structure
- You’re dealing with a species with multiple queens
California’s climate allows some ant colonies — especially Argentine ants — to thrive across large areas with interlinked colonies. Surface sprays just won’t cut it.
10. Ants Coming from Electrical Outlets or Fixtures
Yes, ants can nest inside your walls and even use electrical outlets as entry/exit points. In fact, they’re attracted to warmth and may short-circuit systems in the process.
Check For Ants:
- Around light switches
- Electrical sockets (especially in bathrooms and kitchens)
- Smart home devices
If you see ants disappearing behind switch plates or plug covers, it’s time to call in reinforcements.
11. Strange or Musty Odor When Ants Are Crushed
If you’ve ever crushed an ant and noticed a strange “rotten coconut” or musty smell, you’ve just met the odorous house ant.
This common California pest:
- Is highly resilient
- Produces large colonies
- Often nests indoors near moisture sources
This smell is a unique identifying sign that can help pest professionals choose the correct treatment approach.
12. You Spot Ants Even in Winter
In colder climates, ants disappear in winter. But here in California, mild winters mean year-round activity.
If you’re seeing ants in January or February:
- They’ve likely moved indoors to escape rain or cool temps
- Their nest is already well-established inside your home
This is particularly common in areas like the Central Coast, where seasonal moisture drives ants into kitchens, bathrooms, and wall voids.
13. Your Neighbors Are Seeing Ants Too
Ants don’t recognize property lines. If your neighbors are also battling ant problems, chances are good you’re part of a shared colony zone.
California’s Supercolony Problem:
Argentine ants form massive interconnected colonies across neighborhoods — one supercolony in California is believed to stretch from San Diego to San Francisco.
Why it matters: Even if you kill one nest, reinfestation from neighboring yards is inevitable without professional barrier treatments.
What Type of Ant Are You Dealing With?
Understanding the species invading your home is key to effective treatment. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common ant types found in California:
| Species | Behavior | Threat Level |
|---|---|---|
| Argentine Ants | Huge colonies, love moisture | Hard to eliminate, spread fast |
| Odorous House Ants | Smell when crushed | Persistent, return quickly |
| Carpenter Ants | Nest in wood | Can damage structures |
| Pharaoh Ants | Invisible trails, multiply fast | Spread bacteria |
| Pavement Ants | Nest in cracks/driveways | Nuisance, enter through foundation |
When DIY Isn’t Enough: Why You Should Call OPP
You’ve cleaned, sprayed, sealed, and they’re still here. That’s where we come in.
At OPP, we specialize in stopping ant infestations where they start — at the source. With years of experience handling California’s toughest ant problems, we know exactly what works (and what doesn’t) across different climates, homes, and pest species.
Here’s what you get with us:
- FREE inspections
- Targeted species identification
- Long-term prevention strategies
- Localized service from California-based pros
Don’t wait until they’re in your walls. Call OPP today or schedule your free inspection online.
