Do Your Ants Have Wings?
Just as sure as the flowers will bloom, and the grass will grow, its not too long into spring’s cyclical rebirth that the inevitable appearance of seasonal insects emerge from their winter siestas. Earlier this month we discussed the resurgence of paper wasps and the swarm of solarizing queens seeking solace in your soffits this spring.
Now, we’re talking about dutchesses of a different variety - albeit still within the insect family of Hymenoptera.
Thats right, I’m talking about Alates! Most notably, alates of camponotus pennsylvanicus!
Oh, in English you ask?
A reproductive Carpenter Ant.
This time of year, calls come into Monadnock Pest HQ with perplexed clients attempting to describe the six-legged winged invader scuttling across the back patio towards the house. “I think I’ve got ants, but they’ve got wings” is the typical narrative, or a slight variation thereof.
Although the advent of veiny wings is not the first image that comes to mind when envisioning the stereotypical ants marching at the picnic; I assure you, your eyes doth not deceive - ants do have wings!
Well, some do anyway.
All Rise For The Queen!
Similar to termites, ant swarmers are the reproductive ants of the colony. In fact, swarming ants and swarming termites are often confused with one another; despite the fact that the rest of the caste system for each appear very different. It takes a keen eye and understanding of physical insect characteristics to differentiate - especially with regard to smaller ant species.
Flying ants aren't their own species; rather a type of ant within the colony with a specific task. The swarmer ants’ job is very simple - mate to form new colonies.
A female Carpenter Ant Swarmer photographed in a New Hampshire driveway. (Photo | J. Traynor, A.C.E.)
And so the colony ejects their winged reproductives from the nest in a bid to start their species anew. Thousands will emerge to the sky at a time, and if their colony happens to reside under your residence, the flood of insects can be quite overwhelming if said swarmers pop up indoors instead of outside.
Only a lucky few of the thousands who emerge will actually successfully mate. Without the ability to feed themselves without a colony, most of these unsuccessful breeders will shortly die off.
This mating process commences mainly in the spring, and potentially again in the fall. After male and female swarmers mate, the male, whose sole purpose is to fertilize the female “queen-to-be”, will fulfill his sole duty and die off (what a life, eh, guys?).
The fertile female then lands, sheds her wings and searches for a place to nest and begin her new colony. All too often, these new colonies take place in and around our homes.
Female reproductives are more identifiable by their noticeably larger size - particularly in the case of Carpenter Ants.
While the propagation of winged ants isn’t overtly concerning, the select few species that infest human structures can cause quite the issue as your home now becomes their home.
Carpenter ants are wood-destroying insects, and as such, can inflict damage to your home or business when a colony sets up shop.
How can Monadnock Help?
Fear little - A flying ant swarm (or the presence of individual reproductive ants) is a short-lived event.
Swarms will “burst” for a short amount of time and then cease entirely. There is little one can do to reduce the amount of flying ants or stop them from emerging once they begin appearing.
Swarming ants are, however, a sign of a colony presence on your property. If you have flying ant activity, Monadnock Pest & Wildlife can inspect and identify the ant species swarming, and search/treat/address the nest accordingly.
We can customize our services to fit your needs, whether you’re looking for an ant-specific treatment, or one of our comprehensive programs such as our Home Protection or Business Protection programs.
Contact Monadnock Pest & Wildlife today to address your structural ant control needs. With over 30 years ant control experience, and our owners in the field providing the service, we’re New Hampshire’s most comprehensive ant pest control professionals!
