What’s Up with Flying Ants?

Are those flying ants out back plotting something? They’re everywhere!

All you want is to enjoy a quiet evening on the patio with a cold drink, but out of nowhere these winged things come whooshing in! Fluttering about like they own the place – and they might as well, because you’re heading back inside! You might feel a bit of panic at first, not knowing whether you’ve just seen a swarm of termites. Maybe wasps? You’re not at the center of a plot of a bug-themed sci-fi movie – these tiny invaders are flying ants. And yep – they’re definitely plotting something! But what is it?

What is the Purpose of Flying Ants?

Isn’t it enough that we have to deal with backyard fire ant mounds? Apparently not. And yes, flying ants do exist – but not all the time. Certain ants are designated fliers, and they do it all for one purpose – love. Flying ants are nothing more than mature ants taking part in a nuptial flight. This oddly romantic aerial meet-up is where queens and males soar about hoping to start the next new colony. Nature is wild – literally and sometimes figuratively!

These aerial lovebugs typically emerge in swarms after heavy rain and warm temps.

Flying Ants vs. Termites, What’s the Difference?

It’s easy to mix up flying ants and termites, especially when they’re dive-bombing your good time. But there are ways to differentiate them without a magnifying glass and an entomology degree. Here are a couple of physical differences between flying ants and termites.

• Ants have a narrow waist, bent antennae, and unequal wing length. Their front wings are larger.
• Termites boast a thicker waist, straight antennae, and equal-length wings.

And if you think the swarm you’ve just witnessed is an anomaly, think again. When you see one, there are many more nearby – and you’re likely going to see a lot of them!

Should You Be Worried About Flying Ants?

You’re not in danger if you see a swarm of flying ants. Unlike mosquitoes or ticks, they pose no real danger, but they can be very annoying. Plus, we must remember that these flying breeders denote an ant colony nearby that is gearing up for drastic expansion.

And let’s be honest, no one wants their backyard to become overrun with ants. Worry? Nope, not with Mosquito Squad of Las Cruces’ professional fire ant control. We’ll help you knock down colonies and avoid flying ant swarms – and future expanding colonies!

Search for Las Cruces outdoor pest control and choose Mosquito Squad.

Mosquito Squad is a trusted outdoor pest control company near you! We are eager to help defend your property against ants, mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, and a wide array of outdoor Las Cruces pests – and rodents too.

We stand behind our pest control treatments with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee!

Get in touch with Mosquito Squad of Las Cruces by filling out our form online or calling us at (575) 221-1787 for a free quote.

Also read: Can you ever get rid of fire ants?