Learn why ants with wings dont fly year-round.
Ants with wings can be a pretty common sight, but only at certain times of the year.
Winged antsare swarming ants seeking to breed and reproduce.
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Flying ants may be male (the drone) or female (the queen).
Almost all ant species do swarm, and spring and fall are common seasons for the mating flights.
However, there also are some species that mate in summer or other times of the year.
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Ant species that do not swarm do not have winged members, and they increase their populations through budding.
Here’s how to identify common types of flying ants.
Carpenter ants have:
Termites have:
Illustration: Lisa Fasol.
Illustration: Lisa Fasol. © The Spruce, 2019
However, in general, leave swarming ants alone.
If you do have an issue indoors, here are ways to control and get rid of them.
Most species of ants are able to develop wings, though army ants do not have wings.
Generally worker ants of any species will not be able to develop wings.
Peppermint oil can also be an effective deterrent.
Swarming groups of ants should go away quickly as they search for their next place to nest.
Flying Ants and the Birds That Love Them.Menunkatuck Audubon Society.
Winged Carpenter Ants.Plant & Pest Diagnostics, Michigan State University.
