Seeing flying ants in your home can be alarming. I’m a licensed technician with Better Termite & Pest Control since 2015. I’ve handled dozens of spring swarms in the DC metro, including Virginia and Maryland.
Most homeowners first spot a sudden swarm of flying ants near a window or light fixture. This is a clear sign a colony is mature. Sometimes homeowners confuse flying ants and termites, leading to the wrong DIY steps.
In this guide, I’ll explain how to identify flying ant species, seal entry points, and get rid of flying ants in house. You’ll learn DIY tips and when to call our team for professional ant control.
What Are Flying Ants? Identifying Winged Ants in Your Home
Winged ants, or alates, are the male and female ants sent out to mate. They have two pairs of wings, with front wings larger than the hind wings. After mating, queens shed their wings and start a new ant nest.
You’ll often see these ants flying around light fixtures, especially on warm nights. Like other flying insects, flying ants are attracted to heat and humidity. Spotting them indoors usually means an ant colony is nearby.
Common Flying Ant Species in VA & MD
Mid-Atlantic homes often get several ant species that produce winged forms. For more details on regional ant species, see Kinds of Ants: Identifying Different Types in DC Metro.
Carpenter Ants: The Most Destructive Flying Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are large (workers 6–12 mm, queens up to 19 mm) and usually black. They nest in wood, carving galleries that weaken structures. You’ll find sawdust-like frass near windows or floor joists. Flying carpenter ants swarm May–July.
Research on Carpenter Ants
According to the Virginia Tech Carpenter Ants guide, these ants are a major structural pest. An indoor swarm often means a mature nest inside your walls.
Structural Damage Alert
Carpenter ants can cause significant damage to your home’s wood structures. If you see flying carpenter ants indoors, it often indicates an established colony within your walls that requires immediate attention.
Odorous House Ants: Nuisance Ants with a Coconut Odor
Odorous house ants are small (3 mm) and brown to black. When crushed, they emit a rotten coconut smell. These ants form large, multi-queen colonies in wall voids and under mulch. They swarm May–July in search of sweets and water.
Odorous House Ant Colony Behavior
The PSU guide notes they can expand by budding, creating new colonies without flying ants (source).
Pavement Ants: Tiny Swarmers in Cracks and Crevices
Pavement ants measure 2–3 mm and nest under sidewalks, patios, or slabs. You’ll spot tiny dirt mounds at their entrances. Winged pavement ants swarm in late spring, often emerging through foundation cracks. NC State reports these ants will eat sweets, grease, and dead insects (source). Seal cracks and crevices to keep them from entering.
Acrobat and Little Black Ants: Indoor and Outdoor Nesters
- Acrobat ants (2.5–3 mm) have a heart-shaped abdomen and nest in moist wood or old tunnels. They swarm when colonies are mature.
- Little black ants (1.5–2 mm) form defined trails from soil nests. They produce winged ants in summer, establishing new ant colonies.
Both can nest inside wall voids or under insulation. Follow their trails to find nests.
Citronella (Yellow) Ants: Mistaken for Termite Swarmers
Citronella ants are yellowish and smell like lemon when crushed. They swarm in spring (April) and fall (September). Homeowners often confuse their alates with termites.
Citronella Ants and Structural Safety
The Virginia Tech Yellow Ant guide explains they don’t damage wood. Watch for swarmers emerging through basement slab cracks.
Flying Ants in the House vs Termites: How to Tell the Difference
Confusing flying ants and termites can hide a serious termite colony. Learn more at Termites vs Flying Ants: How to Tell the Difference.
Key Differences: Flying Ants vs Termites
Flying Ants:
- Narrow, pinched waist
- Elbowed (bent) antennae
- Front wings larger than rear wings
- Swarm late spring/summer (May–July)
Termites:
- Broad, uniform waist
- Straight, beaded antennae
- Both wings equal in size
- Swarm early spring (March–April)
Pinched Waist, Bent Antennae, and Wing Proportions
Flying ants have a narrow, pinched waist and elbowed antennae. Their front wings are larger than their rear wings. These features distinguish them from winged termite swarmers.
Termite Traits: Equal Wings and Uniform Waist
Termites have a broad waist and straight, beaded antennae. Both wings are equal in size. After swarming, termites shed wings, often leaving silvery piles on windowsills.
Swarm Timing: Ants Fly Late Spring/Summer, Termites Swarm Early Spring
Most ant flights occur May through July, while termite swarms pop up in March and April. Noting the time of year can help you avoid confusing flying ants and termites.
Why Are Flying Ants Suddenly in My House?
Colony Maturity and Nuptial Flights in VA & MD
A mature ant colony produces male and female ants to mate, called a nuptial flight. When ants fly, they mate mid-air. Mated queens shed wings and search for a spot to establish new colonies.
Moisture Issues and Wood Damage That Attract Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are attracted to damp or rotted wood. Leaky plumbing, clogged gutters, or wet insulation can invite them. Inspect your home for moisture and fix leaks to avoid a carpenter ant infestation.
Environmental Triggers: Heat, Humidity, Light, and Swarm Behavior
Flying ants are attracted to light and humidity. Warm, calm days after rain often trigger swarms. They fly toward windows and porch lights, where you might see them fluttering.
How Flying Ants Enter Your Home: Entry Points and Nest Locations
Cracks, Crevices, and Foundation Gaps
Ants slip through tiny cracks in foundations and slab floors. Pavement ants and citronella ants often exploit expansion gaps. Seal these cracks to block entry points.
Doors, Windows, Vents, and Utility Penetrations
Open doors, torn screens, attic vents, and gaps around pipes and wires let ants inside. Seal gaps with silicone caulk and install weatherstripping on doors.
Landscaping: Tree Branches and Shrubs as Ant Highways
Branches touching your roof or siding act like bridges. Trim limbs at least a foot from walls. This cuts off routes for ants flying around or crawling inside.
Recognizing Flying Ants in the House: Frass, Wings, and Trails
Finding Dropped Wings and Dead Swarmers
After mating, queens lose their wings. Piles of wings or dead swarmers near light fixtures mark their exit or mating spot.
Carpenter Ant Frass: Sawdust-Like Debris
Carpenter ants push out wood shavings called frass. Look for small piles of sawdust under windows, floor joists, or in basements.
Ant Trails and Forager Patterns Inside Your Home
Worker ants leave a pheromone trail to food sources. Spotting lines of ants helps you backtrack to entry points or nest sites.
DIY Methods to Get Rid of Flying Ants in Your Home
Sanitation and Removing Food Sources
Clean spills, crumbs, and pet bowls. Store sweets in airtight containers.
Sanitation as First Defense
According to Penn State IPM, good sanitation is the first step in ant control (source).
Exclusion Techniques: Seal Entry Points and Cracks
Physical Removal: Vacuuming and Soapy Water Sprays
Using Ant Baits to Eliminate Entire Colonies
Place ant baits near trails and nest entrances. Different ants will eat sugar or protein baits. Ants will carry the bait back to the nest and kill the queen.
Spot Treatments with Sprays and Insecticide Dusts
Apply non-repellent sprays or boric acid dust in wall voids and cracks. These products kill ants slowly, reducing the risk of them relocating nests.
Outdoor Perimeter Sprays and Barrier Treatments
Treat a 2–3 foot band around your foundation with a residual insecticide. This barrier stops many ants from entering but needs reapplication after heavy rain.
When to Call an Exterminator: Professional Ant Control Solutions
Signs You Need Professional Help: Persistent Ant Infestation
If ants keep returning after DIY steps or if you see flying carpenter ants inside, it’s time to call an exterminator. Don’t let a small ant problem grow.
When DIY Isn't Enough
Persistent ant problems, multiple swarms, or signs of carpenter ant damage mean the colony is well-established. Professional treatment can save you time, money, and potential structural damage.
Licensed Technician Inspection: The 78-Point Home Audit
Our licensed technicians perform a detailed 78-point home inspection. They check entry points, moisture issues, and ant trails before crafting a treatment plan.
Direct Nest Treatments: Dusts, Foams, and Non-Repellent Sprays
A pro can inject dust or foam into hidden nests. They also use non-repellent sprays that ants don’t detect, ensuring they carry poison back to the colony.
The Better Termite & Pest Control Approach: The Better Promise
At Better Termite & Pest Control, we cut nine harsh chemicals from our program. You get unlimited callbacks, no binding contract, and ongoing ant control support. Learn more on our Northern Virginia Pest Control or College Park Pest Control pages.
Prevent Flying Ants in Your House: Long-Term Prevention Tips
Seasonal Maintenance and Moisture Management
Regularly inspect for leaks and high humidity. Use a dehumidifier in damp basements. Moisture management makes your home less attractive to ants.
Landscape and Structural Modifications
Keep mulch and soil at least 6 inches from foundations. Store firewood away from your home. Trim tree limbs to block ant highways.
Seasonal Protection Plans and Follow-Up Callbacks
Our seasonal plans include quarterly visits timed for peak ant activity. If you see ants between visits, call our ant control experts at no extra cost.
Dealing with flying ants in the house gets easier when you know what to look for. Start with identification, seal entry points, and try DIY baits. If ants persist, our licensed technicians can help.
For questions or a free estimate, call us at 703-683-2000 or email info@bettertermite.com. Visit our Ants page for more tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are flying ants suddenly in my house?
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Flying ants in your house signal a mature nest nearby. Colonies produce winged males and female ants for mating. A sudden nuptial flight often means you have an established ant colony inside or near your walls.
How to get rid of flying ants in the house?
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To get rid of flying ants, clean up food and water sources, seal entry points, and place ant baits along trails. Vacuum or spray swarmers with soapy water for instant relief. For stubborn infestations, use non-repellent sprays or call a pro.
What attracts flying ants in your house?
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Flying ants are attracted to food, moisture, and light. Sweet spills, leaking pipes, and bright lamps draw swarmers. Fix leaks, clean surfaces, and turn off lights near entry points during swarms.
Does flying ants mean you have termites?
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Not always. Flying ants have pinched waists and bent antennae, while termites have straight antennae and equal wings. Timing helps too: ants swarm late spring, termites swarm early spring.
How can I prevent flying ants from entering my home?
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Prevent flying ants from entering by sealing cracks and crevices, repairing screens, and installing door sweeps. Trim branches away from your house and keep mulch away from foundations.
Is it OK to use ant baits and insecticides indoors?
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All the products we use are EPA approved and passed our internal research review. We choose baits and dusts we'd use in our own homes. Bait stations are enclosed and placed out of the way, so you can use them comfortably indoors.
With five years of hands-on experience in the pest control industry, George Schulz is a registered technician with the Virginia Pest Management Association and a proud third-generation professional in a family business that’s been protecting homes for over 57 years. He manages and trains a team of service pros while also leading internal research efforts—recently spearheading a deep-dive review of thousands of documents on pest control materials to hand-pick the most kid and pet friendly, most effective solutions tailored specifically for homes in the DC metro area.