Flying Ants Can Be a Real Problem in Your Home—How to Identify and Get Rid of Them

Flying ants in your home are more than just an unexpected pest—they're also problematic as ants only develop wings when they are mature enough to breed, meaning that there are likely more ants coming your way.

Flying ants get into the home through open windows and doors, as well as cracks along the walls, and they're on the lookout for other ants to mate and begin a new colony with.

Read on to learn how to get rid of flying ants.

Flying Ants vs Termites: How to Identify Them

It's easy to confuse flying ants—especially a common flying ant species, carpenter ants—with termites. But termites are less likely to be seen in the open, and carpenter ants are narrower and darker than termites. Some carpenter ants are much larger than termites, but others are smaller, so size is not a way to determine species.

So, how do you know if it is a termite or an ant? These are the characteristics of a carpenter ant. Look for:

• Dark-colored bodies
• Narrow waists
• Elbowed (bent) antennae
• Hind wings, which are shorter than front wings
  

Carpenter ants are more likely to be seen in the open than termites. Termites need moisture to survive and stay near their water source, or they will die. Carpenters do not have that limitation and will be seen in the open more, especially while foraging for food.

While carpenter ants and termites can be very destructive to homes, the two species are different because termites eat the wood they tunnel in, while carpenter ants only nest in it and do not eat it. Another difference between carpenter ants and termites is the frass (wood dust, soil, and insect parts) often found beneath openings to the carpenter ants' nest.

Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest hacks, expert advice, and more!

Why Do Ants Fly?

Whether the winged ant you see is a carpenter ant or a termite, the wings mean that the insect is a reproductive male or queen—the only members of an ant colony that can reproduce. Ants and termites swarm to mate, then the males die, having done their duty, and the queens drop their wings to find a nesting site.

Sometimes, a winged ant seen indoors during the summer may mean that it flew in from outside. It will likely die before it can find a suitable nesting site, and no pest control is needed for the ant. However, because the ants are not active outdoors in the winter, a flying ant seen indoors most likely means that the ants are nesting within the structure.

It is rare for termites to swarm in the winter, but they have been known to do so in warm areas of infested buildings. So, the sudden appearance of swarming ants or termites in flight is one of the first signs of indoor infestation.

How To Get Rid of Carpenter Ants

While carpenter ants may nest in dry wood, they are more likely to be found in wet, damp, or rotting wood. The first step is to repair or replace the rotted wood to remove the nest and help prevent future infestation.

The next step is using an insecticide to control and kill ants that have built their nest indoors.

• Dust: One option is insecticidal dust formulated for flying ants and indoor household use. This can be injected into the area where the ants nest. If it is difficult to get to the area, small holes may need to be drilled to inject dust.
• Bait: Bait can also be used to kill flying ants. Although baits are much slower-acting, they can be easier and safer. The foraging ants will pick up the bait and carry it back to the colony and queen to eliminate the entire colony. Because ant baits sold in stores are often labeled for many different ants, always read the label to be sure it is formulated for carpenter ants and follow all label directions.
• Spray: Insecticide sprays will have little impact on flying ants because the spray will kill only those foraging for food. But if the ants have flown indoors from outside, sprays can provide relief from these occasional invaders.
• Boiling water: If you discover the ant colony that the flying ants are coming from, you can destroy it by placing the colony inside boiling water.
• Replace damaged wood: Once you've gotten rid of flying ants, make sure you replace the damaged wood that they came from. This preserves the structural integrity of your home and ensures carpenter ants can't make a new colony there.
  

When to Call a Professional

If your flying ant or termite situation is out of control, you may need more powerful insecticides, like a commercial-strength solution.

An ant exterminator can cost $80 to $500 and it is usually easier to treat for ants than a termite infestation. A termite exterminator can cost more—from $3 to $20 per linear foot, ranging from $250 to $1,000—and may require fumigation and whole-home treatment.