If you’ve ever heard faint rustling sounds in your walls or noticed a steady ant trail leading to a tiny crack, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with ants that have set up shop inside your home.
In the Coachella Valley—where extreme summer heat can drive pests indoors—ants often look for cool, protected spaces with easy access to food and water. And unfortunately, many homeowners unknowingly make it easier for ants to move in and start building nests right inside the walls.
At Frazier Pest Control, we’ve seen firsthand how quickly a few scouting ants can turn into a full-blown colony hidden within the structure of your home. Here are five common habits and home conditions that practically roll out the welcome mat for ants.
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1. Ignoring Small Cracks and Gaps
Ants don’t need much space to get inside—just a crack as thin as a credit card. We’ve treated homes from Palm Springs to Indio, where tiny gaps around window frames, baseboards, and utility lines became major entry points for ant colonies.
What to do: Inspect your home’s exterior and interior for cracks, gaps, or holes. Seal them with caulk or weatherstripping, especially before peak ant season in the spring and summer.
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2. Leaving Food Sources Accessible
A few crumbs in the pantry or a sticky spill under the fridge might not seem like a big deal, but ants are masters at finding even the smallest snack. Once they discover a reliable food source, they’ll set up camp nearby—often inside your walls.
What to do: Store pantry items in airtight containers, clean kitchen surfaces daily, and sweep or vacuum regularly. Don’t forget to check under appliances for hidden crumbs.
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3. Allowing Excess Moisture to Build Up
Ants need water just as much as they need food. Leaky pipes, dripping air conditioners, and condensation inside walls can create the perfect environment for nesting. Carpenter ants, in particular, are drawn to damp or water-damaged wood.
What to do: Fix leaks immediately, use dehumidifiers in damp rooms, and keep gutters and downspouts clear to prevent water from pooling near your foundation.
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4. Storing Firewood or Debris Against Your Home
Firewood piles, leaf litter, or stacks of cardboard right next to your home’s exterior walls create a bridge for ants. Once they’ve established themselves in these materials, it’s a short trip inside.
What to do: Keep firewood and yard debris at least 20 feet away from your home. Trim shrubs and plants so they don’t touch your siding or foundation.
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5. Skipping Regular Pest Inspections
Many homeowners wait until they see a visible trail of ants to call for help. By then, the colony could already be well-established inside your walls. Regular inspections can catch ant activity before it turns into a costly problem.
What to do: Schedule seasonal pest inspections with a licensed professional—especially here in the Coachella Valley, where ants are active nearly year-round.
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Why Ant Nests Inside Walls Are a Big Problem
Once ants are inside your walls, they can be extremely difficult to remove without professional help. Colonies may have multiple queens, and some species—like Argentine ants, which are common in the Coachella Valley—can split into multiple nests if disturbed, making the infestation even worse.
Professional treatments target the source of the problem, not just the ants you see. At Frazier Pest Control, our technicians locate the nest, identify the species, and apply precise treatments to eliminate the entire colony while preventing future invasions.
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FAQ: Ants Nesting in Walls
Q: How can I tell if ants are nesting in my walls?
A: There are several signs that point to ants making their home inside your walls. You might hear a faint rustling or tapping sound, especially at night when the house is quiet, as the ants move and build their tunnels. Small piles of debris, such as dust, wood shavings, or soil, can appear near baseboards, electrical outlets, or window sills. You might also notice ants entering or exiting tiny cracks in the walls, often near plumbing or wiring. In some cases, you’ll see winged ants inside, which means the colony has matured enough to send out reproductive members to start new nests. If you observe any of these signs—especially in combination—it’s worth having a professional inspection to confirm.
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Q: Can I get rid of wall nests with store-bought sprays?
A: Unfortunately, store-bought sprays and over-the-counter ant killers typically only target the ants you see on the surface. The real problem is the colony hidden deep inside your walls, often with multiple queens and interconnected tunnels that sprays can’t reach. In the Coachella Valley, certain species like Argentine ants and carpenter ants can “bud” when disturbed—meaning the colony splits into multiple nests if threatened, making the infestation even worse. Professional pest control treatments are designed to reach and eliminate the entire colony at its source, using methods that prevent budding and ensure long-term results.
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Q: How quickly can an ant colony grow inside my walls?
A: Ant colonies can grow at an alarming pace, especially in warm climates like the Coachella Valley where ants remain active for most of the year. Depending on the species, a colony can grow from a few dozen worker ants to several thousand in just a matter of weeks. If they have a steady food and water source nearby, the expansion is even faster. Some species can also establish satellite nests within your home, which means that even if one nest is partially eliminated, another may remain active. This rapid growth is why it’s so important to address any ant activity early with a thorough inspection and targeted treatment.
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Call Frazier Pest Control Today
Don’t give ants a place to call home. If you suspect ants are nesting in your walls, contact Frazier Pest Control for fast, effective, and long-lasting solutions. We’ve been serving Palm Springs, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, and the entire Coachella Valley for over 38 years.
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Protect your home. Stop the infestation before it spreads. Call us today and take back your walls. (760) 328-6115
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