During the summer months, you may notice more ants than usual, both inside and outside of your home. While there are many different types of ants, flying ants are some of the most commonly seen in Northeastern Pennsylvania this time of year.
Flying ants are commonly mistaken for termites, but there are several traits that can help you distinguish between the two. Here is everything you need to know about flying ants and how you can keep them away from your home this summer.
What Are Flying Ants?
Flying ants are sexually mature ants with wings, commonly called alates, swarmers, or reproductives. Flying ants are spawned by queen ants and worker ants feed them. When the colony grows larger and is ready to expand, the flying ants leave it to establish their own colonies.
Distinguishing Between Flying Ants and Termites
When it comes to telling the difference between flying ants and termites, it can be difficult to distinguish between the two, as they share many similarities. While both flying ants and termites have wings, a termite’s wings are equal in length and a flying ant’s wings are larger in the front and smaller in the back. Flying ants also have more narrow waists, while termites have more broad waists. As for their antennae, flying ants have bent antennae, while termites have straight antennae.
Finally, most flying ants will not damage your home via your wooden furniture or framing members. For this reason, it’s important to understand the signs of a termite infestation so that you can act promptly.
Do Carpenter Ants Fly?
Yes, some carpenter ants can fly. These winged ants, known as swarmers, possess wings that allow them to travel in order to find a mate. Once the male swarmers fertilize the female swarmers, the males will die and the females will shed their wings to land and form new colonies. For this reason, you should act quickly if you spot a flying carpenter ant near your home.
How to Prevent Flying Ants from Invading Your Yard
Like with any household pest, there are several ways to prevent flying ants from invading your yard and home. Some of the measures you should take include:
- Regularly cut your grass and trim hedges and foliage
- Remove dead tree branches and fallen leaves from your yard
- Keep firewood a safe distance from your home
- Keep food properly stored in sealed containers
- Remove trash from your home regularly
- Seal cracks and crevices in your home using a caulk or sealant
- Create a DIY ant deterrent using peppermint essential oil
When to Call an Exterminator About Flying Ants
While many homeowners will disregard flying ants as nothing more than a minor nuisance, contacting a pest control professional is still a good idea if you spot these ants around your home.
An ant infestation can quickly become out of control, and a larger infestation can even result in damage to your home if the ants begin to burrow into your wood. A trusted exterminator will be able to come out and inspect your home for signs of a flying ant infestation and come up with a plan of action to get rid of these pests.
If you suspect you may be dealing with a flying ant infestation in Southern or Northeast Pennsylvania, contact The Pest Rangers immediately to eliminate the problem.
FAQs
What time of year are flying ants most common?
Flying ants are most commonly seen during warm summer, particularly in July and August. However, these ants can also appear during spring and fall, depending on where you live.
Do flying ants pose any health risks?
While nobody wants to see flying ants in their home or crawling on their arms and legs, these pests are typically harmless to humans and are not known to pose any health risks. Some flying ants may bite or sting if they feel threatened, but these bites are typically not very painful. Still, you must take the necessary measures to keep these ants away from your food and out of your home.