What are flying ants?
Believe it or not, flying ants are not some kind of pestilence or plague. They are actually common ants who have grown wings in order to mate. Typically, as the weather turns warmer and wetter, colonies will begin sending out their flying ants. Essentially every species of ants will have some that grow wings and cause trouble.
When will I see flying ants?
Believe it or not, you can often predict when flying ants will swarm. If the weather in the Carolinas and Virginia involves a day or two of heavy rain, followed by warm, muggy air and calm winds, you can expect to see swarms of flying ants. In our area, May, June, July, and August have the perfect conditions for ant colonies to send out their fliers, but you cannot let your guard down other times of the year.
Can flying ants damage my home?
Most ants are not destructive; although, some can do damage. Pharaoh ants and carpenter ants do not eat the wood in the same way termites do; however, they build tunnels that will damage your property. By the time you discover their presence, you could be looking at an expensive repair bill. Pharoah and carpenter ants send out fliers as well, so before you assume the swarm is harmless, it is important to be able to either become an expert at identification or develop a plan to get rid of all ants.
How can I get rid of flying ants?
Since flying ants are just regular ants with wings, managing and getting rid of them is the same process you would use to exterminate the kinds that remain grounded. A few methods you could try for getting rid of ants include:
- You can suck ants up through a vacuum and send them somewhere else.
- You can try ant traps or sticky paper to catch them and dispose of them.
- You can try to attract them with a solution made of dish detergent and peppermint oil.
- You can have ants professionally exterminated. A professional exterminator will be able to identify what kind of flying ants are swarming in your home. If they are the kinds that cause harm, they will be able to help you locate the damage and eliminate them.
Whatever your chosen method for getting rid of flying ants, make sure you thoroughly eliminate them before the issue gets out of hand.
How can I keep flying ants from returning?
Once you have eradicated your flying and problem, you will want to take steps to ensure they do not return. Here are a few key steps for keeping flying ants from returning:
- Ants are attracted to sugary and greasy foods. Make sure you deep clean your kitchen, dining room, and places where people eat.
- Keep your windows closed, especially on humid, calm days following heavy rain. This will help prevent flying ants from seeing your home as an option for entry.
- Seal the cracks in your exterior walls, basements, and crawl spaces so that ants have fewer entry points.
- Utilize the experts. Have professional exterminators visit your home. They will be able to exterminate ants, provide treatments that reduce the chances that they will return and help you identify areas in your home in which you might be vulnerable to a swarm of flying ants.
Whether ants are flying or crawling, they are not invited guests to your home. Once you discover the first few scouts, you could be susceptible to an invasion. You need the skills of an expert pest exterminator. Rid-a-Bug Exterminating has been the trust pest and management company in the Carolinas and Virginia for many decades. We have the expertise and expertise to help you get flying and walking ants out of your home or business.
If you would like to know more about how to make flying ants get and stay off of your property, contact the team at Rid-a-Bug. We will help you with all your pest management needs and can usually respond within 24-hours of your call.
Read our article, Things an Exterminator Does To Get Rid of an Ant Infestation, to learn more.