Have you noticed more ants crawling through your kitchen or bathroom during the warmer months?
You’re not alone. In Perth, the hot and dry climate creates ideal conditions for ants to thrive—and as temperatures rise, so does the likelihood of infestations in homes and businesses. Understanding why ants are more active during summer and what attracts them inside can help you prevent a full-blown invasion.
In this blog, we’ll explore the connection between Perth’s weather and ant behaviour, how they enter buildings, and the best ways to keep them out—whether through prevention or professional help.
Why Ants Thrive in Perth’s Heat
How Hot Weather Triggers Ant Activity
Ants are cold-blooded insects, which means their internal body temperature is regulated by the external environment. As the weather heats up, ants become more active, foraging for food and water to support their growing colonies. In Perth, where temperatures often soar above 30°C during summer, these pests are in full motion—especially species like the black house ant and coastal brown ant.
The dry climate also increases ants’ need for moisture. That’s why you’ll often find them in kitchens, bathrooms, or anywhere with leaking pipes and damp patches. Even small spills and condensation from appliances can be enough to draw them in.
Why Ants Need Moisture in Summer
In Perth’s hot summers, water becomes a scarce but vital resource for ant colonies. As external sources dry up, ants are more likely to invade homes in search of moisture. Leaking taps, shower floors, under-sink areas, and even pet water bowls can become targets. This behaviour intensifies during heatwaves or prolonged dry spells, making summer peak season for indoor ant activity.
Ants not only seek hydration but also favourable nesting conditions. Dry ground causes ants to move their nests closer to homes, especially near reticulation systems or shaded garden beds. Once close enough, it’s only a matter of time before they find a way inside.
Staying on top of water-related maintenance—like fixing drips and improving drainage—can reduce your chances of an infestation significantly.
Common Perth Species Drawn Indoors
Several ant species in Perth are known for invading homes and businesses. These include:
- Black house ants – attracted to sweet food and water sources
- Coastal brown ants – known to build nests under paving and invade in large numbers
- Argentine ants – aggressive and fast-moving, often displacing other species
Because of their resilience and colony size, treating ant infestations without expert help can be difficult. For stubborn problems, it’s best to work with ant pest control experts who understand local species and seasonal patterns.
Where Ants Enter: Common Access Points in Homes and Businesses
Structural Weak Spots
Ants don’t need much space to get inside. Even a tiny crack in your foundation or a loose window frame can act as an entry point. In Perth, older homes are especially susceptible due to natural wear and shifting over time, which opens up gaps in weather seals and tiles.
Ants typically follow scent trails left by other ants, so once a single worker finds an entry, others are quick to follow. They may use:
- Cracks in skirting boards or cornices
- Gaps under doors or between windows
- Wall cavities and power points
- Roof spaces and ceiling vents
How Ants Use Scent Trails to Re-Enter
Ants don’t just stumble into buildings randomly—they follow precise chemical trails left behind by scout ants. These trails allow the entire colony to efficiently follow the same path once a food or water source is located. Even after cleaning an area, remnants of this invisible trail may remain, leading to re-infestation.
Using vinegar or citrus-based cleaning products can help disrupt these scent trails. Pay special attention to kitchen skirtings, splashbacks, and benchtops where food particles often accumulate.
Moreover, ants often return through the same entry points, so once one colony has established access, it becomes a repeated target until those cracks or gaps are sealed properly or professionally treated.
External Environments That Attract Ants
Ants are opportunistic, and the area around your home or workplace can easily encourage infestations. Garden beds close to walls, mulch, and outdoor pet bowls all offer food or shelter. Paved areas and patios, especially those with cracks or sunken segments, are ideal for nesting.
Bins placed too close to entryways, overripe fruit from trees, and leaking garden taps also act as magnets for foraging ants. To stop them at the source, it’s essential to manage both interior access points and outdoor conditions.
For ongoing protection and detailed property assessment, experienced ant exterminators can pinpoint exact vulnerabilities and treat them thoroughly.
How to Keep Ants Out: Prevention and DIY Tips
Sealing and Cleanliness
One of the best defences against ants is a clean and sealed environment. Regularly check for gaps in window frames, door seals, and brickwork, especially around pipes and utility lines. Apply silicone caulk where needed and consider door sweeps to prevent access from underneath.
Keep benchtops and floors free from crumbs, spills, and pet food—ants have an exceptional sense of smell and can detect sugar from a surprising distance. Even unsealed jars of honey or leftovers left overnight can attract foraging trails.
Garden and Food Storage Strategies
Outdoors, make sure garden beds don’t directly touch the house. Choose gravel or stone mulch instead of wood-based types, which ants love to nest in. Keep bushes trimmed back from walls and remove any tree branches hanging over your roof.
Store dry food in airtight containers, and avoid leaving dishes or water bowls out for extended periods. Compost bins should be sealed, and outdoor rubbish kept clean and tightly shut.
If you’re already seeing signs of infestation, or trails that keep coming back despite your efforts, it may be time for an ant pest control service to inspect and treat your home before colonies get too large to manage.
When to Call the Professionals
Recurring Infestations
Despite your best prevention efforts, ants may return—especially if their colony is nearby or inside the structure of your property. DIY treatments like sprays and baits might only kill foragers, not the source colony. This often results in temporary relief but doesn’t solve the underlying issue.
If you’ve treated an area only for ants to return within a few days or weeks, it’s a strong sign that a deeper nest remains active. This is particularly common with brown ants, which can have multiple satellite colonies spread throughout walls, paving, or soil.
Safe, Targeted Treatments
Professional pest control services use targeted gel baits and residual treatments designed to eliminate the queen and colony, not just the workers you see. These products are more effective and longer lasting than supermarket solutions and are applied safely with minimal disruption to your daily life.
At Bug Busters, we’ve been helping Perth families and businesses since 1986. Our team of licensed technicians uses proven strategies based on local ant behaviour, weather patterns, and structural risks. If ants keep returning or you’re seeing new trails regularly, don’t wait—get in touch with us today for fast, reliable service and lasting peace of mind.
Ready to Stop Ants in Their Tracks?
Tired of dealing with ants every summer? You’re not alone—and thankfully, you don’t have to keep fighting them alone either. Perth’s hot, dry conditions make ants more active and more aggressive, but with the right combination of prevention and professional support, infestations can be stopped. Whether you’ve just seen the first trail or have dealt with recurring issues, Bug Busters are here to help. With decades of experience and a deep understanding of local pest behaviour, we’re the trusted name for long-lasting solutions.