Flying Ants! Help!

Have you heard of flying ants? No, they are nothing like the bizarre flying squirrels you may have seen on the Discovery channel… flying ants are simply the reproductive caste of an ant population. These ants have wings and are tasked with the job of flying out of the colony and choosing the right mating partner. Once they find their true love, they drop their wings and wander off together into the sunset to create a new colony and their own happily ever after. Sounds sweet? Not so much, especially if these ants decide to honeymoon on your property.

Think you’ve seen flying ants? Or could they be swarming termites, which are also the reproductive caste of the termite species? Here’s how to tell that they truly are ants and not termite swarmers. When it comes to flying ants vs. termite swarmers, here are some tips:

• Flying ants have antennae that are elbowed or bent, while termite swarmers have straight and beaded antennae.

• Flying ants have a characteristic pinched waistline with three distinct body parts, including head, abdomen and thorax. Swarming termites have a broad waistline and a body that is made up of only a head and a lower section.

• Both flying ants and termite swarmers have two pairs of wings, but flying ants have two fore wings that are larger than their hind wings. Termite swarmers have fore and hind wings of equal length.

Are flying ants dangerous?

No, flying ants are typically not dangerous. But having a flying ant swarm on your property can mean that you have a potential ant problem. If they are carpenter ants, they may look to nest inside the wood in your home and forage in your kitchen for food. Other types of ants will just be looking to forage for food in your home, but no matter what, having ants inside your home and nesting on your property is not a good situation to be in. These pests can become a serious nuisance and they require professional assistance to be completely eliminated.

What should you do if you have an ant problem in your home?

If you have an ant problem inside your home, the best thing you can do is to contact a Nashville pest control professional. A pest control professional can help locate the source of the ant infestation (the ant nest) and then offer treatment services to eliminate the pests.

If you don’t have an ant problem now, but usually get one later on in the summer, now is the time to be proactive. Here are some helpful tips to keep ants from infesting your home and property this season:

• Keep damp areas inside your home to a minimum; run a dehumidifier if necessary.

• Never leave food out on countertops. Make sure all the food in your pantry is stored in air-tight containers.

• Don’t leave pet food out for a long period of time.

• Fix leaky pipes and dripping faucets.

• Never leave dirty dishes in the sink.

• Reduce possible entry points for ants and other insects by installing fine mesh screens on windows and doors. If you already have screens installed, check to make sure they are free from rips or tears.

• Remove vegetation from around your home and install an 18 inch perimeter of crushed rock or gravel directly around your home.

These tips can be very helpful in the fight against ants, but sometimes they still manage to get into your home despite your best efforts. If this happens to you, the Nashville pest control pros at All-American can help! Contact us today for more information on our flying ant control services and to schedule your first appointment. Don't let flying ants scare you! The pros at All-American can help protect you and your home from annoying ants.