Ants can survive in a refrigerator, though cold temperatures slow their metabolism significantly and will eventually kill them if exposure is prolonged. Ants are cold-blooded insects, meaning their body temperature matches their environment. In a fridge set to typical temperatures (35-40°F or 1-4°C), ants become lethargic and their biological processes dramatically slow down. Most ant species will enter a dormant or semi-dormant state within hours. However, they don't die immediately—some species can survive in cold conditions for extended periods, particularly if they've entered a comatose state where they require almost no oxygen or energy. The exact survival time depends on the ant species, the precise temperature, humidity levels, and how long they've been cold. Generally, ants kept at refrigerator temperatures for days to weeks will eventually die from the combination of cold stress, inability to find food and water, and metabolic shutdown. If an ant were briefly refrigerated and then returned to room temperature, it would likely recover and resume normal activity. This is why commercial pest control sometimes uses freezing as a method to eliminate ants, though it requires sustained exposure at sufficiently low temperatures. In practical terms, if you find ants in your fridge, the cold will help reduce their activity and reproduction, but you should still remove them and address how they entered to prevent reinfestation.