Most people assume that all ants simply crawl.
However, many homeowners are surprised when they find a flying ant in their house.
Flying insects are a sign of a large infestation.
Therefore, if you have spotted a flying ant in your home, now is the time to get in touch with a pest control service in Toronto.
While waiting for your consultation, there are a few questions we can answer to help you better determine what type of ant you are dealing with.
Where Did You See the Flying Ant?
The location of your flying ant is important. A pest control company will ask where you saw the ant and if you see where they swarm (if there is more than one).
For example, if you see them crawling around inside your home and you spot flying ants on the ceiling, then it is likely they came from inside your walls.
Most likely, you are dealing with a carpenter ant infestation.
While a few swarming ants here and there do not necessarily mean a problem, the fact that you have flying ants anywhere in your house is something to have investigated.
Swarming ants are only produced by colonies that have been established for years, so you could have carpenter ants inside your walls damaging your home’s structure and not even be aware of it.
What Type of Swarmer’s Do You Have?
If you see a flying insect, it is important to know the difference between a flying carpenter ant and a winged termite.
Yes, termites fly, too.
Termites and carpenter ants are mistaken for one another all the time, but a reliable pest control service in Toronto can tell the difference.
If the flying insect in your home has a waist, then you are dealing with a carpenter ant, not a termite.
How Big are the Ants?
Carpenter ants are notorious for causing the most issues inside the home. The swarmers are larger than 3.4 mm in length and black to reddish brown in color.
If you do have carpenter ants, your home is in danger.
Carpenter ants create bore holes through the home and weaken structures.
They can loosen the strength of your home’s framing and even the beams holding floors together.
Time of the Year
Around springtime, you’re going to see more flying carpenter ants, because it’s mating season.
In fact, the Calgary Herald did an article about how carpenter ants started off early with mating in 2016, and they could do so again in the future.
Carpenter ants have their wings until they mate.
Once they mate, they go back to crawling.
So if you find a flying ant with crawling ants, you might have a carpenter ant infestation in your home.
The True Dangers of Carpenter Ants
Most homeowners do not realize how damaging carpenter ants can be – but they should be.
They are such a widespread problem in the country that the Government of Canada has issued a public safety warning about them.
In fact, they state that carpenter ants are notorious for damaging wooden steps, the trim of a building, walls, structural timbers, window sills, and more.
Carpenter ants have been found in libraries, behind drawers, and even in Styrofoam insulation.
These destructive pests find many ways to get inside your home, including open windows, holes in your foundation, heating ducts, air vents, and trees that come into contact with your home.
When they are done foraging outdoors, they look toward the indoors to find a warm, comfortable place to create their nests.
What Do I Do If I Have a Carpenter Ant Problem?
The first thing you must do for ant control in your Toronto home is contact an exterminator.
A pest control company will come out to your home and investigate the extensiveness of your carpenter ant problem.
Once they have identified nests and entry points, they can come up with a treatment plan to wipe them out.
Need Carpenter Ant Removal? Contact Power Pest Control, Inc. Today
If you have noticed flying ants in your home, contact a reliable pest control service in Toronto by calling the team at Power Pest Control, Inc.
We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and carry an excellent rating on HomeStars.
When you need ant control, we are there to help you protect your home and the safety of your family.
Schedule a consultation with our team members by calling us at 647-708-7378 or contact us online with your carpenter ant questions.
