For extreme infestations, chemical control in the form of an insecticidal barrier is an expensive option that must be applied by a licensed professional. Lady beetles also have the habit of hibernating in crannies of houses and emerging on warm sunny days. We should appreciate their value to farmers because they feed on injurious insects such as aphids, scales and psyllids. They may be carefully collected and released outdoors. Ants , while more likely to visit in spring, may make an occasional appearance in the off season as well.
Cleanliness is the first line of attack.
Control the ants by finding and removing the nest, then eliminating the cause of the rot. These bugs do not bite, sting or cause damage to the home. Their only interest is the consumption of conifer seeds including many pines, white spruce, Douglas fir and hemlock, and seeking a protected site such as your home to spend the winter in. Kindly evict them if you must. The GrowLine has free or low cost fact sheets on all the home intruders listed above.