Flying Ants: Harmless Swarm or Carpenter Ants? | Go Green

Flying Ants in Your House: Harmless Swarm or Carpenter Ants?

Flying ants are the winged males and young queens of an ant colony, leaving to mate and start new colonies. A swarm outside in spring is normal and usually harmless. Winged ants coming out of a wall, ceiling or window frame inside your home is different: it means a mature colony is nesting in the house, and in South Delta that's often carpenter ants.

Why Ants Grow Wings

Once a colony is a few years old and large enough, it raises winged ants. On a warm day after rain, they all leave the nest at once to mate. The males die soon after. The mated queens drop their wings, find a sheltered spot and start new colonies. That's why you may find piles of discarded wings on window sills

Inside or Outside Makes All the Difference

A swarm in the yard, on the driveway or around a tree stump means there's a colony outdoors. That's usually nothing to worry about. Winged ants inside, especially in late winter or early spring before it's warm outside, means the colony is living in your walls, floors or roof. They hatched indoors and are trying to get out. That needs to be looked at.

How to Tell Carpenter Ant Swarmers

Carpenter ant swarmers are large, black or dark red and black, and much bigger than most other winged ants. If you're finding large winged ants indoors along with sawdust near window frames or baseboards, carpenter ants are the likely cause. Our post on signs of carpenter ants in your walls covers what else to look for.

Flying Ants or Termites?

• Waist. Ants have a narrow, pinched waist. Termites have a thick, straight body.

• Antennae. Ant antennae bend like an elbow. Termite antennae are straight.

• Wings. Ants have front wings longer than the back ones. Termite wings are all the same length.

Coastal BC does have dampwood termites, which swarm in late summer, but they're rarely found inside homes. Winged insects indoors in spring are almost always ants.

What You Can Do Right Now

• Vacuum up the winged ants. They can't start a colony indoors without the right conditions, and spraying them won't reach the nest.

• Note exactly where they're coming from, such as a window frame, outlet or ceiling corner.

• Look for sawdust, damp wood or water stains nearby.

• Save a few in a sealed bag so they can be identified.

When to Call a Professional

If winged ants are coming from inside your home, it's worth having an inspection. Finding and treating the colony early limits the damage, and our ant control service starts with tracking down the nest.

FAQ

Are carpenter ants as bad as termites?

They can cause serious damage over several years, especially when a nest goes unnoticed.

Why do sugar ants keep coming back?

Store bought sprays kill the trail but not the colony, and the survivors can split into new nests.

Are flying ants in my house a bad sign?

Winged ants indoors in spring often mean a mature carpenter ant colony nearby. It's worth an inspection.

Is treatment safe for kids and pets?

We use targeted, low impact methods and will tell you anything you need to do before and after.