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In Seattle, our weather is famous for its steady drizzle and grey skies. This constant dampness makes our city beautiful and green, but it also brings challenges for homeowners.
One of the most common sights on Seattle roofs, decks, and trees is thick, green moss. While moss looks charming, it acts like a giant sponge that holds onto water for a long time.
This trapped moisture creates a perfect home for a specific pest known as moisture ants. If you see these tiny visitors near your windows or under your sinks, it is usually a sign that something is too wet.
Dealing with these invaders is a regular part of life in the Pacific Northwest, and United Pest Solutions provides the expert help you need to keep your Seattle home dry and pest-free.
Why Moisture Ants Love Seattle Moss
Moisture ants get their name for a very simple reason. They cannot survive without a damp environment. Unlike many other ants that prefer dry soil, these ants seek out soaking wet wood to build their nests.
In Seattle, moss is one of their favorite places to stay. Moss grows heavily on our roofs and against our foundations because of the shade and rain. As the moss stays wet, the wood or soil underneath it begins to soften and rot.
This decaying material is exactly what moisture ants are looking for. They do not eat the moss, but they use the damp, protected space beneath it to hide and grow their colonies.
The Warning Sign in Your Walls
It is important to know that moisture ants are different from carpenter ants. Carpenter ants can tunnel through strong, healthy wood. However, moisture ants usually only move into wood that is already damaged by water.
If you find these ants inside your Seattle home, they are acting like a warning light. They are telling you that you likely have a leak or a drainage issue. They often show up in bathrooms or near leaky kitchen pipes.
You might also find them in crawl spaces that have poor airflow. Seeing them is your cue to check your roof for moss or look for soft spots in your siding.
Rain and the Moving Ant Colony
We often see a big jump in ant activity right after a classic Seattle rainstorm. When a heavy downpour hits, it can flood the outdoor nests where these ants live. To escape the water, the ants scramble for higher and drier ground.
This often leads them straight into our houses through tiny cracks in the foundation. They might also crawl through small gaps around your doors.
Once a few scouts find a damp spot inside your wall, they leave a scent trail for the rest of the group. Very quickly, a small outdoor problem can turn into a steady line of ants marching across your counter.
How to Protect Your Seattle Home
To keep moisture ants away, you must manage water around your property. Start by removing moss from your roof and keeping your gutters clear. When gutters clog, water spills onto your siding and soaks the ground near your foundation.
This creates the damp environment these ants love. You should also trim bushes so they do not touch your walls and act as a bridge. Inside, ensure your crawl space has good airflow and fix any leaky pipes immediately.
Even with great maintenance, some colonies are hard to stop alone. These ants are small and often hide deep inside your walls. United Pest Solutions understands the specific climate challenges in Seattle.
Their team can find exactly where the ants are coming from and identify the moisture source. They provide a professional plan to protect your home from the ground up.
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