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Where Do Ants Lay Their Eggs? The 5 Most Likely Places

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There are approximately 10,000 kinds of ants, and they may be found in every part of your house, from your bathroom to your bedroom. As a result, if you’re wondering where ants are most likely to establish nests and deposit eggs, look no further. Read on to learn about the most common areas where ants deposit their eggs!

Where do ants lay their eggs?

Where do ants lay their eggs the most likely places

Different species of ants will lay their eggs in different locations. Some ants, like carpenter ants, will build their nests inside your home. Other ants, like the odorous house ant, will build their nests outside near your home.

However, ant nests with eggs generally can be located in the most likely locations, near food and water sources, and in warm, dry places.

In light of the fact that homeowners may use this knowledge to deny ants access to these places, I have covered the most likely nest locations where ants actually deposit eggs in the following section.

The five most likely nest locations

ant in home

Bathroom

Ants are very moisture-dependent creatures and will seek out the moistest environments possible to lay their eggs. The bathroom, with its constant humidity and warm temperatures, is an ideal spot for them.

Therefore, if you’re finding ants in your bathroom, it’s likely that they are nesting near a water leak or the drain since these areas provide easy access to food and water.

Ants will also build their nests in protected areas, like under cabinets or in crevices around the toilet.

Kitchen

A kitchen is common for ant colonies because of the food and water sources.

In fact, it is an ideal nest location for ants to lay eggs. They often build their nests in moist, protected areas, such as near the sink or in cabinets. If you see an ant colony in your kitchen, take steps to get rid of it before the ants can cause damage.

Living Room

Ants are attracted to a variety of foods and will travel long distances in search of the right sustenance. This means that even if you don’t have an ant problem in your kitchen, they may make their way into your living room searching for food.

In fact, in the living room, ants will be drawn to any excess crumbs or spills that have developed on the floor. And thereby are likely to build their nests in areas such as beneath cabinets, couches, and decorative items.

Inside Walls

The most likely nest locations for ants are in warm, dark areas that offer some protection. This could be structural damage to a building, such as cracked or damaged walls, under your porch, or in the crevices of your deck.

These locations provide the perfect space for an ant colony to nest and proliferate.

Air Conditioning and Heating Units

There are a variety of places ants can nest, and one of the most common is in air conditioning and heating units. This is because these units often have a lot of nooks and crannies where ants can build their nests, as well as plenty of food sources.

It’s important to keep your air conditioning unit clean so that ants are not attracted to it. You can do this by cleaning the exterior regularly and removing any scents that might be attracting them.

Five most unlikely places

Damage by carpenter ants in a two-by-four piece of wood is evident in this exposed, interior bathroom wall.

Small Holes or Cracks

Ants like to lay their eggs inside small holes or cracks in your walls. This is because the eggs are safe from predators, and the environment is stable. The most likely nest locations for ants are near food sources and in warm, sunny areas.

That said, a prominent way to prevent ants from nesting in your home is to seal any small holes or cracks with weather-stripping materials. This will create an impassable barrier for ants and keep them out of your house.

Under Concrete Slabs

There are a number of places where ants may choose to lay their eggs. However, one unlikely place which you may overlook is under concrete slabs.

Ants often choose this location because the concrete slab provides a dark and moist environment that is conducive to egg-laying. The eggs will hatch, and the new ant colony will begin to grow.

Automobiles

Though it’s essential to remember that different species of ants will have different preferences for nest locations, automobiles often provide a number of attractive options for an ant colony.

Food sources and moisture are readily available in the engine compartment and interior of the car, so it’s important to clean your automobile regularly and vacuum any areas where ants may be nesting.

There are a few ways to prevent this from happening, including keeping your car clean and free of debris, using ant traps, or using an insecticide.

In Your Home’s Insulation

Carpenter ants are a common type of ant that can be found in many parts of the world.

These relatives of ants love to live inside your wall’s cavities, where they can build their nests and lay their eggs.

However, it is sometimes unclear if the overall habitat of carpenter ants and the majority of other ant species is the same. Well, this brings me to the next section: Are ant nest sites and carpenter ant nest sites identical?

Ant nest vs. Carpenter ant nest locations: are they the same?

carpenter ant

While most ants are found in the kitchen, bathroom, and yard, there are one species that may do significant structural damage to your home-the Carpenter ants.

Carpenter ants are a common type of ant that build their nests in damp, damaged wood, including beams and foundations. And while these ants do not consume wood, in order to construct a colony, they must gnaw and dig into it, inflicting extensive damage.

Carpenter ant nest locations:

Though it is possible to treat a carpenter ant infestation on your own, it is important to identify the nest location(s) if you want to be successful.

Carpenter ants nest in a variety of locations but prefer moist wood or decaying structures. They are often found in trees but can also build nests in walls, ceilings, floors, and insulation.

Carpenter ants like to damage the wood they nest in so that it is easier for them to access their food.

That said, Finding a carpenter ant nest can be tricky, but most experts agree that the best way to do it is by tapping on wood surfaces and listening for a hollow sound. This indicates that the wood has been damaged and is likely being used as a nest by carpenter ants.

Elimination of Ants colony and eggs

ants indoor on the wooden floor

The first step in removing ants from home is to identify the trails used by worker ants to move to and from the nest.

Once these trails have been identified, you can begin to treat them with an appropriate insecticide. It is also important to eliminate the ant colony and eggs, as this will help prevent future infestations.

There are a variety of techniques that can be employed, including:

Employ Ant Baits Indoors

When ants are looking for a place to lay their eggs, they will look for a location that is dark, has high moisture levels, and is close to food.

That’s why it’s important to use ant baits indoors; since ants are more likely to nest indoors, you have a better chance of getting them with the bait.

In fact, ant baits are one of the most effective strategies for eradicating nuisance ants. There are two different forms of ant bait: stations and liquids. The ideal and effective way to use them is to place them close to visible ant trails but make sure they’re out of reach of pets and children. 

Ants will be lured to the bait, and consume it, ultimately resulting in their demise.

Additionally, the worker ants will carry the pesticide bait back to the nest; this will kill the queen and stop the reproduction cycle, effectively getting rid of the ants.

If ants deplete the bait station, it may be necessary to refill it.

That said, depending on the size of the colony or the number of queens, as is the case with certain ant species, eradication might take several days or even a few weeks. However, you will eventually witness the end of the infestation.

Keep Things Clean

One of the best ways to keep ants from nesting in your home is to make sure that they can’t get access to food. This means keeping food sealed in containers and taking out the trash regularly.

Frequent sweeping will prevent them from creeping about and locating food. You should also promptly clean up any spills and remove the rubbish on a regular basis.

Furthermore, if you’re trying to bait ants, it’s important to keep your surfaces clean. Ants will be less likely to find your bait if there is no food or crumbs lying around.

Natural treatment

Natural methods can be used to eliminate the ants dwelling in your home as well; this can include:

  • Vacuum: Once you locate an ant trail, you can vacuum these tiny critters, emptying the bag and depositing them outside your property.
  • The most common way is by using sprays. Ant sprays usually use pyrethroids or pyrethrin compounds, which are derived from chrysanthemum flowers. These compounds work by paralyzing the ants, eventually killing them.
  • Borax is a natural substance that can be used to get rid of ants. It is not toxic to humans or pets in small quantities, and it can be found in most grocery stores. When using borax to get rid of ants, you will want to sprinkle it around the nest entrance and along the ant trails.
  • Furthermore, if you want to avoid synthetic chemicals of any kind, there are a variety of natural controls that have been found to be effective for eliminating and discouraging ants. These include cinnamon oil, lemon juice, and diatomaceous earth.
  • Ants are deterred by the smell of black or red pepper. It can be used to prevent ants from nesting in certain areas, such as near your home or office. The pepper will irritate the ants and cause them to flee. Ground black or red pepper can be sprinkled around the baseboard of your home and behind appliances.
  • White vinegar is an effective way to kill ants. It can also be used to repel them from your home or property. The best way to use it is by mixing it with water in a spray bottle and spraying it around the areas where you have seen ants.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ants often seek out habitats that match their needs, including proximity to food and water sources, warmth, and darkness. Meeting these requirements perfectly is the indoor setting of a common household. Consequently, bathrooms, kitchens, and many other domestic settings are the most probable nesting sites for ants, where they may lay their eggs.

However, effective treatment and prevention may discourage ants from nesting inside!

About the author

A biotechnologist by profession and a passionate pest researcher. I have been one of those people who used to run away from cockroaches and rats due to their pesky features, but then we all get that turn in life when we have to face something.