Flying ants are flying insects that may seem harmless, but they can be quite frustrating to deal with. They fly in swarms and their bite can be painful.
The flying ant population has increased in the last few years due to climate change, which is why more people experience an invasion from these creatures.
There are many natural ways of getting rid of flying ants, depending on your preference or budget. There are also methods that include chemical products.
Here are five methods you might like to try.
Also read: Do ants have wings? Why some ants can fly and others can’t
Best ways to get rid of flying ants
1. Call an exterminator
An exterminator has access to chemicals that you can’t use at home. An exterminator can help you prevent flying ants from entering your home, or get rid of the ones that have already settled there.
Flying ants are also attracted to parks and large open areas, so call an exterminator if the flying ant population is too high in your neighborhood.
Exterminators are professionals, who deal with problems such as flying ants on a daily basis. Hence, when using a professional from pest control, you’ll know they’re going to get rid of the problem.
The biggest downside to this is that they can be expensive, especially if you’ve got a bigger infestation on your hands. Therefore, a lot of people try to fix the problem themselves first.
2. Use ant baits and traps
If flying ants are invading your home, you can use ant baits and traps to get rid of them. Ant traps and bait stations will attract the ants, whereafter they’ll kill both the flying ants when they eat the poison inside the station or trap, but also the colony.
The flying ants will carry the poison back to their colony, which is when you can be sure that they’re gone for good.
Ant traps are one of the most effective ways on how to get rid of flying ants in your home or garden – not only do flying ants have a sweet tooth so the bait tastes delicious, but it’s also very easy for flying ants to find and eat too.
Just remember; if there are other ant species around then make sure you buy different baits as some may attract them instead.
3. Use commercial products
There are flying ant sprays and powders available at home improvement stores. These have all been developed for this exact issue.
Make sure to read the instructions on how to use these products before applying them, as it may require a certain amount of preparation beforehand.
Some of the products you can buy from the home improvement store includes:
- Ant spray
- Ant bait stations
- Ant powder
These can all work. Just keep in mind that it can take a while before you see results.
4. Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth is a natural alternative to traditional flying ant sprays and powders. Diatomaceous earth kills flying ants by dehydrating them, which causes all of their insides to burst – it’s a very painful but effective way to get rid of flying ants.
Although diatomaceous earth isn’t dangerous in small quantities, you should still avoid getting any on your skin or inhaling the dust from it so be sure not to get too much near your mouth or nose where you can breathe some in accidentally.
5. Use essential oils (peppermint or cinnamon)
Peppermint oil and cinnamon essential oils are flying ant deterrents so if you’re looking for a natural solution to get rid of flying ants without necessarily killing them, then these could be the ones for you!
Mixing peppermint or cinnamon oil with water in a spray bottle is one method that’s been proven to work. Just combine around 20 drops of each oil into your spray, along with half a cup (120 ml) of warm water – make sure not to add too much though, as pure essential oils can irritate human skin too (if the concentration is high enough).
You should also avoid applying this mixture in plants or where pets may come into contact with it. Even though it should be safe for pets and small children, you can never be too safe.
Mix up enough for your flying ant problem and keep it somewhere where you can easily access it.
Just remember, not all flying ants will be affected by this method so if they’re still coming around then try something else too – perhaps a combination of methods!
Prevent flying ants from returning to your home
1. Remove what attracts the ants
The flying ants will return if they can find something in your home to attract them. It is important to eliminate the food source that brings flying ants into your house in the first place.
2. Seal the entrances
Flying ants can gain entry into your house through cracks and holes that are as small as a dime [1].
Make sure you seal up any such entrances or access points flying ants could potentially exploit. It is important to be thorough because flying ants will find their way in if they want to badly enough.
Don’t forget about window screens! They may seem like an afterthought but flying ant infestations often exist due to poor screening methods which allow them easy entrance into homes via windows and doors leading outside.
Consider replacing older screen material with new corrosion-resistant aluminum wire mesh for best results – this type of screen prevents flying insects from penetrating it easily while still maintaining visibility outwards.
3. Destroy the ant nest
If flying ants are entering your house from a nearby colony, you’ll need to take care of the source of your problem. If you can locate where flying ants have made a nest in or around your home – under steps, siding, and/or decks – treat the area with an insecticide specifically labeled for flying ant control.
You should also place ant bait outside of the entrance holes if possible to kill more ants before they’re able to enter into your living space again.
Destroy old nests that may be left behind after treatment by pouring boiling water on them as this will kill any remaining members inside immediately.
The best long-term solution is usually going with pest management professionals (exterminators). They will first inspect flying ant activity and identify the flying ant species. They will then design a flying ant control program with bait or pesticide treatment to eliminate flying ants in the future when they try to enter your house.
With flying ants, it is important that you are proactive and treat them right away before their numbers get overwhelming and potentially lead to property damage due to these pesky insects swarming about!
It’s best, not only for appearance reasons but also because of health concerns, that you deal with the ants fast.
Why do flying ants appear?
Flying ants appear on a warm day, flying around your home and looking for a new place to live. There are many reasons why flying ants make their appearance in the first place. Some of them include:
- The queen ant is tired of living where she currently resides
- Food supply has been diminished due to humans or pets eating it all
- In order to start a colony elsewhere
- To find somewhere that’s more comfortable with regards to temperature/humidity
Read more: What causes flying ants in your home?
Frequently Asked Questions
What home remedy kills flying ants?
The best home remedy to kill flying ants is boiling water. Boil a pan, or a pot, of water, pour it on the flying ant hill or colony entrance and repeat until they are all dead. Just don’t pour any on yourself.
Will flying ants go away on their own?
No, flying ants do not go away on their own. Even if you use an insecticide, it can take time. You should remember, before going overboard on any chemical remedy or DIY method, that the ants don’t die instantly. Usually, it takes a few days to get rid of all of them. Monitor flying ant activity during a few days. If it doesn’t drop, you can try something else.
How long do flying ants stay around?
It usually takes about two weeks for the flying ant population inside of homes to die down – this can vary depending upon how small the flying ants are, and how many flying ants there are in your home.
While you can’t prevent flying ants from flying into your homes (they will find their way inside), you can take steps to limit them even further after they’re already here.
One of those ways is using a homemade pesticide – another one is by preventing food from being left out, which flying ants are likely to find.
Flying ant season typically starts in the spring and can last through summer – so it’s important that you know what flying insects to get rid of! These pests aren’t just annoying, they’re also capable of causing damage inside your home or even transmitting diseases between humans.
