You might be surprised to learn that flying ants aren’t a specific type of ant but rather an ant in a certain stage of life and position in the colony. They are called alates, and they are sexually mature ants that leave the mother colony to expand its reach.  Today, we’re taking a closer look at these members of the ant colony.

Ant Spotlight: Flying Ants

Appearance: These ants have elbowed antenna, a thin thorax, and wings that are not equal in size.

Timing: If you see a flying ant in your home in the summertime, it may have accidentally flown in. However, if it appears in the late fall or winter when ants die out, you might have an indoor infestation on your hands. Be sure to call a professional like ExtermPRO to help you determine the severity of the infestation.

Risks: You are more likely to have an issue with the flying members of the colony if you already have an ant infestation. That’s because the colony is mature enough to have the alates go out and form new colonies.

Commonly misidentified: Flying carpenter ants are often misidentified as termites and vice versa—a mistake you don’t want to make when it comes to destructive pests! An easy way to tell the difference is that flying ants have wings of different sizes while all termite wings are equal in size.

How to get rid of them: If you choose to DIY their removal, your most thorough solution is to eliminate the colony, which you can do by placing bait traps that attract ants and bring the poison back to the nest. Contacting a professional is the easiest and most effective option. A company like ExtermPRO knows how to get rid of ants for good, which is particularly important when a colony has reached the size of having flying ants invade your home. Call us today at 571-620-1168 for help with flying ants and more pest problems.