Ant budding is a natural process in some ant species. Ants expand by swarming and budding. During swarming winged reproductives, often called alates, leave their colony to mate during flight. The inseminated queen then finds a place to nest.
During budding a queen and a few workers split to start a new colony elsewhere. Ant colonies bud to expand and to avoid overcrowding the original nest. Budding can also happen when the colony is under distress from environmental pressures such as food scarcity or severe heat.
Another way to distress ants is with the use of repellent insecticides. When repellent insecticides are applied it promotes budding. In order to avoid the sprays, the ants split off and begin a new colony in another part of the structure. Most over the counter DIY pest control products are repellents. When homeowners use these products repeatedly, they run the risk of ants budding and creating multiple colonies.
When it comes to ant control it is best to hire a professional pest control company. When dealing with ants, GOTBUGSIKILL technicians are trained to utilize non-repellents sprays and gel baits. This prevents budding and disseminates the entire colony.