Most of the time, when you think of ants, you probably envision ants crawling across the ground and through the grass, building their ant mounds. However, there are certain species of ants, that do have wings, swarm, and will fly.
For an expert inspection for flying ants around your home, be sure to contact Ehrlich Pest Control to discuss the ant control tips and solutions best for you and schedule treatment services.
Flying ants aren’t genetic mutants. When ants gain the ability to fly, they’ve become sexually mature. They use their colony structure to their advantage, as the queen creates ants that are able to reproduce and, thus, help set up new colonies. The ants that are able to breed are referred to as “reproductive.” Once the queen produces them, worker ants make sure they stay fed as they go through their immature phases during the development process. When the colony is ready to expand naturally, the winged ants take flight.
Habitat, diet, life cycle, and behaviors
DIY methods to remove flying ants
Where do flying ants come from?
What is the most common time of year to see flying ants?
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Flying ants’ appearance signals an important moment for the colony—and sometimes a bigger issue for homeowners.
Flying ants come from established ant colonies. Nests may be outdoors in soil, under rocks, or in rotting wood. Indoors, colonies are often hidden inside walls, under floors, or near moisture sources like leaks. If you see flying ants inside your home, it often means a colony is already nearby or indoors.
Flying ants eat the same foods as their wingless nestmates. Depending on the species, this can include sweets, greasy foods, proteins, and honeydew produced by aphids. Inside homes, they’re attracted to crumbs, spills, pet food, and accessible trash.
Flying ants are mature male and female ants whose sole purpose is to mate. They leave their colonies during a “nuptial flight,” also called a dispersal or swarm. Flying allows ants to mate with ants from other colonies. After mating, males die, and fertilized females shed their wings and search for a place to start a new colony.
Swarming usually happens in spring or fall when conditions are warm and humid. Ants are highly resilient insects designed to survive in many environments, which is why infestations can be difficult to control.
Seeing winged ants indoors is a red flag because it suggests an existing infestation and the potential for new colonies to form if the problem isn’t addressed.
While flying ants are a temporary nuisance for most, infestations can become a persistent issue. Getting rid of flying ants often starts with simple DIY tactics, but if your ant problem persists, it may be time to seek help from professional ant control experts like Ehrlich.
If you’re ready to tackle flying ants yourself, these DIY methods may help. Each approach has been chosen for its effectiveness and ease of use, helping you deal with winged ants safely and without harsh chemicals.
Placing glue board and sticky traps near windows and light sources is a simple DIY tactic for the short-lived reproductive ants. Since the ants are drawn towards light, ants can easily be trapped in the glue board and disposed of easily.
Using a canister-type vacuum with an attachment is an easy way to remove visible reproductive ants. Ensure the canister or bag is disposed of outside.
Creating a soap spray with dish soap and water is a practical, easy way to kill flying ants. The soapy foam suffocates the ants, causing them to die on contact. Mix a few drops of dish soap with water in a spray bottle and apply it directly to the ants.
Certain herbs, spices, and essential oils like peppermint and cinnamon, are natural ant repellents. Sprinkle them around the areas where you see winged ants to deter them. Peppermint oil can be temporarily effective when used as a spray.
These insects typically swarm in spring or fall, but they can swarm any season depending on the species, needs of the colony, and environmental conditions. Winged ants are drawn to light and enter points around homes, such as cracks in walls, crevices in windows, or open doors for adequate shelter.
Flying ants build their nests in various places, depending on the ant species. Inside homes, nests may be located in damp areas, within walls, under floorboards, or near leaks. Outdoors, ants typically nest under rocks, in soil, or around rotting wood.
Flying ants are typically most active during Spring or Fall. This annual swarming event occurs when male and female ants emerge from their colonies to mate. The swarm typically lasts a few days to a few weeks, leading to a noticeable increase in sightings, and is often referred to as “flying ant day” in certain regions.
Although flying ants do not impose any immediate risks, they can become a long-term problem. If they find a suitable mate and a conducive area to form a nest, the proliferation of the nest can pose risks to structure and health depending on the species and length of infestation.
Our pest control technicians also offer the most effective ant removal solutions to get rid of the existing colony and then search for solutions to prevent them from returning.
Don't try dealing with flying ants on your own. Contact Ehrlich Pest Control today and discuss getting rid of flying ants today.
Flying ants are primarily seen during mating season, which usually lasts several days to a few weeks. Once they’ve mated, the winged ants will either establish a new colony or die, naturally reducing their numbers. However, if you’re seeing flying ants persistently, it could indicate a nearby nest, which may need to be addressed as soon as possible - contact us today to keep flying ants under control.
Flying ants are attracted to light, moisture, warm, humid environments, adequate shelter, and food. If there are accessible entry points like open doors, windows, or cracks, flying ants can easily find their way indoors. In addition, areas with high moisture levels, such as kitchens and bathrooms, can be particularly appealing to ants seeking to establish a colony.
Not necessarily. Flying ants and termites may look similar, but they are different pests. Winged ants have bent antennae, a pinched waist, and two uneven sets of wings, while termites have straight antennae, a straight body, and equal-length wings. However, both can swarm in large numbers. If you’re unsure, contacting our ant control expert can help you determine whether you have flying ants or termites.
Ants develop wings and fly primarily during their mating season, which is often triggered by warm, humid weather conditions, such as those following rain. When the conditions are right, female ants and male ants from different colonies take to the air to find mates and form new colonies, resulting in a swarm of flying ants.
The flying ant swarming season typically lasts from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the species and weather conditions. Once the mating process is complete, the winged ants either die or lose their wings and return to start new colonies. If you notice winged ants for longer periods, it may indicate an infestation nearby, and you may need our professional ant control service.
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