I have just found lots (over 50) very big ants with wings in my kitchen, along with many other "normal" sized ants. There were no ants in the kitchen less than an hour ago but the external door was left slightly open.
I've sucked up all the ants I can find with the vacuum cleaner but does anyone know what having that many flying ants that suddenly could mean? Am I in danger of major infestation if I miss any? Should I call a professional exterminator? Can you get an exterminator for ants?
I live in Yorkshire in the UK.
2006-07-16 08:54:39 · 22 answers · asked by Ren 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Thanks for all your advise so far everyone.
I definately have ants and not termites. This things had two different sized pairs of clear wings, bent antennae and a segmented waist - I believe termites to be more "block-y" but please correct me if I'm wrong - I've never seen a termite (unless I've just seen loads of them in the kitchen!!)
It's not likely they could remain hidden inside and start a colony or two then? That good. Thanks (and sorry for making you all itchy!)
2006-07-16 09:22:38 · update #1
Could be termites, but there are also winged ants. Check out this website he has pictures so you can see which one you have.
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infpests/infwingedantstermites.shtm
2006-07-16 09:01:41 · answer #1 · answered by Cricket65 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if they did come from the outside, but your description leads me to believe that the ants are in the process of migrating (the reason for the flying ants). If you had normal ants mixed in with them, I would think they came out of a place closest to where you found them. Most of the time once the flying ants are above ground they will migrate to a new location, and the normal ants are the escort up.
If they were around the door, they could have come up from a crack around the door, on the outside.
Yes, you can call an exterminator for the problem, if you continue to see ants, but most the time they would rather be outside than in. If they were 'Carpenter Ants' then you better call an exterminator, because these types of ants live in the walls or the floor of your home, in the wood.
I'm sorry I don't know the type of ant your asking about, so I hope this information will be helpful.
2006-07-16 09:07:22 · answer #2 · answered by yep_yep_2004 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aaaaargh! these are new queens hatching out, they are looking for suitable nest sites.
Go round again with the hoover and try to find any you missed both inside and out, pour boiling water around the nests if you see any more over the next few days. Wash indoors with a bleach based or other strong kitchen cleaner to destroy the scent trails.
We don't really get termites in the UK...
I'm all itchy now.
2006-07-16 09:01:38 · answer #3 · answered by sarah c 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm 36 years old and never in my live seen a flying ant until few years ago having a barbeque .
I don't know much on the subject but search for sites on the internet now.
Tomorrow buy some ant powder from tescos and that should kill them .
If you have fly spray it wouldn't hurt to spray some down where they were .
If you see any more try find out where they are coming from and treat that area.
Don't want to alarm you but just thought of your hoover go hoover loads of stuff up or keep it outside incase they still are alive and crawl out.
2006-07-16 09:01:59 · answer #4 · answered by Nutty Girl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't panic yet. During the summer there are always infestations of these flying ants. They seem to come out on hot days and I guess look around for a new place. They are harmless although I wouldn't want them in my house! If you KEEP finding them, then I'd call someone to have a look or kill one and take it to the garden centre. Maybe they can help identify it!
2006-07-16 09:03:39 · answer #5 · answered by K's Mom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is wrong with you? these are only ant, they're not dirty, they wont hurt you, they are doing what they've done for millions of years. One day, one fantastic day, the 'princesses' leave the nest, (look closely at the workers pushing them out and guiding them to a launch point) where they fly off to mate with winged princes, (who die after mating!) after mating, you'll see the princesses, wingless crawling off to start new colonies. It's a beautiful sight, this world only works if we all get along, you need ants, they need you. close your doors so they wont get in, help any out that do and tomorrow it will all be over. Don't spread misinformation by over reaction, don't use poisons, learn to love nature that is fast disappearing,
Marc
2006-07-21 09:10:29 · answer #6 · answered by marc 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
TERMITES!! Put a couple in a plastic bag, then call your nearest termite exterminator. They'll be able to tell you for sure if it's termites. But, hurry. If it is and you found those, there are possible millions more hiding in your woodwork.
2006-07-16 09:01:31 · answer #7 · answered by clifnjgramangl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because the weather's hot. Global warming must have reached Yorkshire.
Don't worry, swarming ants are quite normal. You're unlikely to get them in your house again unless there's sugar available to them.
If you do, you can kill the whole colony by feeding them a borax based bait. "Nippon Japanese Ant Killer" works quite well although it takes about a fortnight to wipe out the colony.
2006-07-16 09:02:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
termites, get pesticide as soon as you can . then a anti pest person to do a complete termite inspection , before your house falls in around you . A colony can eat 1 lbs. of wood per day.
2006-07-16 09:01:54 · answer #9 · answered by Scott c 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
today is the day when all the ants start flying at night- it will only last for 1 night so don't worry. i walked out of my house a minute ago and thought the apocolypse had come- then i remembered there is one night of the year when this happens, and by tomorrow they will have gone
2006-07-16 09:01:50 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋