The Twists and Turns of Flying Ants
When you think of common pests that give you a scare, are flying ants the first that come to mind? We hear a lot of panicked talk around this time of year about flying ants. People often see them hanging around the house and yard and get worried. After all, aren’t tiny flying insects usually carpenter ants? Or even worse, termites? Generally, all flying insects are a bit scary and alarming, especially if they are in the home.
ARE THEY REALLY FLYING ANTS?
Before you act, it’s good to know the insect you are dealing with. A quick rundown of some very common flying household ants would include winged pavement ants, carpenter ants, and termites. When they fly around you they all might appear to be the same but, when you catch them resting and not in flight you can take a closer look and ID it.
WHY ARE THE ANTS SWARMING?
Are your flying ants swarming? When an ant colony is first starting up, all the ants it produces are sterile, female worker ants. But when a colony decides to expand, it starts producing winged, sexually mature males and females. These ants take off in a swarm called a nuptial flight and begin to mate. When female ants have been fertilized, they start a new colony. So, that’s why you see all those ants flying around.
At the first sign of ants digging around your property, it’s best to nip the problem in the bud by carrying out a few simple tasks.
One of the best way to get rid of them is to eliminate standing water as they are attracted to moisture. Another is to make sure tree branches and other shrubs don’t touch your home structure. Also, check to see if there are cracks or openings around the bottom of your home’s walls and seal them with chalking, which is essential for protecting your home from carpenter ants. Firewood and debris should not be stored up against your house, and you should also consider keeping pests out of your firewood. Ants love wet stacks of wood.
If your ants are worrying you, give us a call at Pestcheck, and in the meantime, check out our non-toxic pest control tips. Our qualified technicians will stamp out the problem quickly and efficiently, helping you with dealing with common summer pests.
Don’t let pests ruin your peace of mind. If you’re in need of professional pest control services, we’re here to help. Our team of experts provides top-notch services in West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Vancouver, Burnaby & New West, Coquitlam & Tri-Cities, and Richmond. Act now and safeguard your home from unwanted pests. Contact us today for a free consultation and let our experienced technicians help you reclaim your pest-free home.