Although flying ants may be more anxiety-inducing than their wingless counterparts, they don’t represent any greater threat. Here’s what you need to know about these small critters.
Why do some ants have wings?
The ants you see scurrying around on the ground are wingless females. They do all the work within the colony, but are non-reproductive. Ants with wings are males and queens that leave the nest in large numbers, usually once a year to mate and establish new colonies.
What are the dangers of an ant infestation?
Ants aren’t as harmless as they may seem. If left to run amok, they can pose a threat to your health and safety. Carpenter ants, for example, are particularly destructive. They can chew through wood and burrow into door and window frames, compromising your home’s structural integrity.
Moreover, while ants aren’t disease-bearing insects like mosquitoes, they can carry bacterial and fungal organisms that can contaminate your food. They can carry several food-borne pathogens into your home, including Salmonella, Staphylococcus, E. coli, Streptococcus, Shigella, and Clostridium.
How to prevent an ant infestation
When it comes to ants, prevention is better than a cure. Here are some tips for keeping these insects out of your living space:
- Remove excess leaves, debris, and other nesting materials from around your yard
- Cut back tree branches, shrubs, and other plants that are close to or touching your home
- Store wood piles off the ground and away from your house
- Keep garbage bins tightly sealed and away from your home
- Clean up food crumbs and spills and dirty dishes
- Store food in airtight containers or in a refrigerator
- Caulk/seal around window and door frames
- Seal gaps around places where utilities enter a building such as electrical and water lines
- Prevent water damage inside and outside of a structure by doing things such as cleaning eavestroughs, repairing roof damage and ventilation problems, and fixing any leaks
If you do find winged ants in or near your home, Poulin’s Pest Control sells residual insecticides, baits, and dusts to eradicate the problem. You can apply certain dusts, baits, or spray indoors around baseboards, under some types of appliances, and around window and door frames. Outside, you can spray a residual insecticide around areas of concern, including around window and door frames, and on and around the foundation.
If your ant problem has gotten out of hand, Poulin’s Pest Control can help. Our team can visit your home to determine the severity of the problem and find a solution.
Professional ant control products and services
If your home is experiencing an ant infestation, look no further than Poulin’s Pest Control. Our skilled professionals have completed extensive training to provide safe and effective ant control services. Contact us today for more information and expert advice.