Tips for Flying Ants Control

A pest issue that is all too common to many homeowners during the spring and summer months is the presence of flying ants. Flying ants are primarily found in tropical or subtropical regions of the country but can occur anywhere. These ant species suddenly appear because they have reached sexual maturity, as a part of their reproductive cycle, the male and the female ants develop wings that allow them to fly out of their colonies to find new mates to start new colonies.

Flying ants are attracted to pool areas and moist wood, they love moisture and will build their nest near water leaks for example sinks, bathtubs, doors, and unsealed windows. Although moist conditions are their preference flying ants can also be found in dry wood.

Flying ants don’t eat wood but rather tunnel and excavate wood to build their nest, the diet of flying consists of food scraps, seeds, insects, tree nectar, etc…

Flying Ants Identification

Many confuse flying ants with termites, but the difference is that flying ants can be identified as brown or black, possessing pinched waists, and different front and back winged lengths with bent antennas. However, termites possess four equivalently-sized wings, circular beads, undefined waist that is shapeless and broad.  A termite antenna is also straight.

Flying Ants Lifecycle

The life cycle of a flying ant has four stages egg, larvae, pupae, and adult, a queen can live for as long as 15 years, while worker ants live for about seven years. But for flying ants to fulfill this amount of years they will have to stay clear of their predators.

Here is how to Determine a Flying Ants Infestation

These are some signs to look for.

• Seeing a mature nest that is located near the home.
• Wood shavings and frass.
• Long ant trail that’s moving in the direction of your house.
• Seeing large winged insects emerging from walls, floor joists, doors, your ceiling, areas of the home that have cracks and crevices, and spaces that are hollow.
• Noises inside the wall.

Natural Methods to Control Flying Ants

• Keep firewood away from your home.
• Make sure that your home is cleaned of food particles at all times, for example, areas where foods are prepared and consumed.
• If swarms are visible a vacuum cleaner will come in handy, once ants get sucked up in the vacuum remove the bag seal and place the bag in the trash can.
• Fix moisture issues for example plumbing that may be leaking including a leaky roof.
• If a swarm of ants is seen congregating outdoors pour boiling water on them.
• Make sure that food packages are properly sealed and also store food packages in sealed containers.
• Mix in a 32 oz spray bottle equal parts vinegar and water,  sake well, and apply to areas where flying ants are seen. Once applied vinegar has a strong scent that disrupts flying ants’ pheromone trails and deters them from entering your house.
• Diatomaceous Earth is a natural substance that has a negative impact when coming in contact with the body of insects, apply by sprinkling infested areas, around nests and entry points. Diatomaceous Earth works by damaging the ants’ exoskeletons causing the insect to lose water leading to dehydration. Diatomaceous Earth is safe to use around humans and pets.
• Replacing water-damaged wood can help deter flying ants
• Seal cracks that are found in the foundation.
• Seal openings or gaps where electrical as well as water pipes enter the building.
• Mix one part liquid dish soap and two parts water in a 32-spray bottle also add several drops of peppermint oil to this mixture. Thoroughly Shake the bottle and then spray areas where flying ants are present.
• Mixing Borax will get the job don’t here is what to do, mix 1/2 cup sugar to  1 1/2 tbsp Borax, and 1.5 cup of warm water. Soak some cotton balls in the mixture, and put them out near the areas where flying ants congregate. The sugar attracts the ants, and they’ll take the Borax with them back to their colony. Once eaten Borax will kill them. After application wash your hands.

A word of caution if small children and pets are in the home make sure they don’t come in contact with Borax. Ensure that kids and pets can’t get to Borax.

Commercial Methods to Control Flying Ants

There are commercial products that are sold under trade names which can be used against flying ants.

• Baits are an effective way to control ants, baits may be slow-acting but will eventually wipe out the whole colony, The foraging ants will pick up the bait and carry it back to the colony and queen which will eliminate the entire colony. Before purchasing read the label for directions and to ensure it’s the right bait for flying ants.
• Insect sprays will provide a quick knockdown provided ants are sprayed on contact, but not be able to reach the colony, these sprays are considered contact sprays and will only kill on contact.
• Insecticidal dust that’s formulated for flying ants will eliminate them, the dust can be injected into the area where the ants nest is located. If needed small holes may have to be drilled followed by injecting the dust.

Call in the professional

Note: An infestation may call for the help of a professional, a professional can help to bring control and offer advice that will limit the chance of a re-infestation.

How to Prevent Flying Ants

• Keep firewood away from your home.
• Tree branches that are making contact with your house should be cut back because ants will use these branches as a bridge or highway to get onto the building followed by looking for entry points.
• Seal cracks that are found in the foundation.
• Fix moisture issues for example plumbing that may be leaking including a leaky roof.
• Replace wood that is water-damaged.

Conclusion

Flying ants like other ant species can be controlled by placing the proper management practices in place, this guide provides several ways to eliminate them. If you have a flying ants issue this guide is for you. Putting preventive measures in place can lessen the presence of flying ants. Why let these insects be a nuisance to you when you can strike back stopping ants in their tracks? These methods have proven to be effective in working for others and will work for you too.