If you’ve ever seen an insect that looks like an ant with wings, you might be confused. Do ants have wings, or is this something new you’re dealing with? In most cases, you’re probably dealing with ants. Most species have part of their colonies that develop wings, and in many of those situations, they’re just as harmless as they were before, supposing the ants are outside. There are still some things you should know and understand, especially if the ants seem to be moving indoors and you need ant control services.

Ants Develop Wings in Preparation for Reproduction

In early to mid-spring, certain ants will develop wings. In rare situations, you might find them in fall, and sometimes in summer as well, but it’s a most common sight during spring. Both male and female ants will get those wings in preparation for reproduction. They will swarm with thousands of other ants to mate in flight. Many of those winged ants will not make it through the process. Some will be eaten by other bugs and birds, and others will die because they didn’t have enough to eat or drink. Of course, if the swarm tries to nest in your home, they’ll probably be eliminated through ant control services.

The sole purpose of male ants is to reproduce so that there are future generations, so after reproduction, they die off. The females lose their wings, which they use as nutrition while they make their nests. If you see a swarm of flying ants, you can almost bet they are going to make a nest nearby. If you don’t want a new nest of thousands of ants in your home, it’s time to call the professionals at Truly Nolen. 

Winged Ants Could Be Confused for Termites

Any time you notice a swarm of flying ants, it’s important you are able to identify them. It’s possible they’re harmless, and they’re just going to create a colony in your yard where they can’t bother anybody. It’s also possible you’ve confused the winged ants for termites. They look quite similar, though there are some differences you can look for to know for sure:

• Termites have straight antennae, while ants have bent antennae
• The waist of a termite is straight and wide, while the waist of an ant looks pinched
• Termite wings come in pairs of the exact same size, while ant wing pairs are differing sizes

If you do determine the insects are ants, you will also need to rule out carpenter ants. These pests can be just as destructive in your home as a termite. Both termites and carpenter ants nest in wood and will damage the structure of your home. If you’re unsure what you’ve seen, our pest control professionals can help you determine what you’re dealing with.

Ant Control Is an Effective Method of Protection

You should never ignore an ant swarm or infestation. The professionals at Truly Nolen can help to locate the nest and provide effective elimination so you don’t have to deal with the nuisance or the damaging effects ants can have. If there are swarming ants with wings, you have to realize they are planning to reproduce, which is going to introduce hundreds of thousands more ants to your property. That’s why it’s so essential you engage in ant control methods that work.

Contact the Professionals for Help Today

Because of the damage ants can cause, you don’t want to ignore a swarm of flying ants. At Truly Nolen, we are professionals at analyzing the swarm, locating the nest and determining a course of action. To learn more about our process or to schedule our services, contact us via our online form, and we’ll be in touch.