How to get rid of flying ants

Each year, normally in July or August, huge numbers of flying ants suddenly appear. This ‘nuptial flight’ is why ants fly. Ants mate during flight, so males and young queens both have wings. If you look carefully at flying ants you will see some are much larger; these are the queens.

Flying ants, or ‟alates,” as entomologists refer to them, are simply ants that are sexually mature. When the ant colony is naturally ready to expand, the winged ants get ready to take the stage. Mature male and female ants fly out of their colonies with one purpose in mind: to mate.

Controlling the flying ant population at your home can be challenging to do on your own. Once a swarm begins, flying ants will emerge in as many as hundreds of thousands. Fortunately, this typically only lasts for a few hours to a few days and then ceases.

Although carpenter ants can chew through wood and create property damage, generally speaking flying ants are not dangerous. They are not more likely to bite and they are not poisonous. They are, however, annoying and a swarm of flying ants does not look good and can lead to a full on ant infestation around your home.

Flying Ants Swarm to Mate

But because the ants are not active outdoors in the winter, a flying ant seen indoors at this time most likely means that the ants are nesting within the structure. It is rare for termites to swarm at all in the winter, but they have been known to do so in warm areas of infested buildings.

For many homeowners, the first obvious sign of termite infestation is a swarm of flying insects. However, not all swarming insects are termites – some are flying ants. Pest control experts are trained to distinguish between flying ants and termites based on a few physical characteristics.

Ant colonies will also produce swarmers (winged ants) at certain times and swarming may take place the same time termites are swarming. To the untrained eye, ant and termite swarmers may look the same. So next time you see flying termites there is no need to panic because they will not cause any damage to your home.

Swarms occur when established colonies produce winged male and female termites in order to reproduce. After these mating flights, fertilized termites shed their wings and go on to establish new colonies. Termites seen flying in a home are indicative of a mature colony.

Pour orange oil in a spray bottle and spray the areas of your house where you have seen the termites. Spray in other areas at the same time where you think that the termites could go. his method will work if you have only a small infestation.

Termite Swarms Are a Sign To Get Help

through small holes. These are called “exit holes” and were created by worker termites. A termite swarm will last about 30-40 minutes and the swarming termites will fly toward a light source, typically collecting around windows and sliding glass doors.

Why does flying termites mean serious trouble? Flying termites are a warning sign of potential damage to property. Termite colonies usually mature in about three to six years and produce alates. During this time, the termite workers feed on wood to cause costly damage to your home or property.

Use a Vacuum Cleaner

A vacuum cleaner is an effective way of dealing with flying termite swarms. Fill the tank of a wet-dry vacuum with soapy water then start sucking the flying termites in. The vacuum cleaner will also come in handy when you have to clear out the fallen insect wings.

Vinegar is the wonder material for your home. Not only can you use it to clean everything from your kitchen counter to shower, but you can also use it to kill termites. Put it in a spray bottle and spray the mixture around the area where you suspect the termites. The acidic substance will kill the termites on contact.

There are two main chemicals used to kill termites—fipronil and hexaflumuron. Fipronil is the specially designed chemical used as an active ingredient in many different liquid termiticides. In high enough concentrations, it can kill termites on contact. Pest control specialists apply it around the perimeter of homes.

Flying termites! Also known as alates they come from the ground, tree stumps or breaks in foundations. After heavy rains, you may see hundreds of termites swarming to search for new mates to start a new colony. Although rain is a factor, the swarming is mostly due to warmer temperatures, humidity, and the colony age.

Flying termites or discarded wings

Some species swarm at night and are attracted to light sources. Other species will swarm in daylight, but all drywood termites tend to swarm after rain at particular times of the year.