How to Deal With Ants With Wings
When ants with wings come visiting, it is not a happy day. This is sometimes due to the fact that they resemble termites, so people think they have a much bigger problem than they really have. There are certain species of ants that do have wings. Luckily, they are not as destructive as termites.
Most pest control products or services will take care of ant problems both outside and inside the house. If the issue does turn out to be termites, however, there are specific steps and products that must be used to get rid of them. A termite infestation can be a serious problem, and it is a pretty big job that is best handled by a professional. Ants on the other hand, can usually be handled fairly easily on your own.
The first step is to make sure you are dealing with ants with wings and not termites. Ants and termites each have distinctly different body shapes: ants have a thin, pinched waist which makes their bodies look segmented. Termites have a straight body, and their wings are quite long, extending past the length of their bodies. Additionally, a termite’s wings will fall off quite easily – with just a touch – while an ant’s wings are more stable.
Once you have determined that your pests are indeed ants with wings, elimination can be done in a number of different ways: professional pest control, setting ant traps, over-the-counter insect spray, home-made bug treatments, deep cleaning and other preventative measures. You do not need a professional to deal with an ant problem. There are several do-it-yourself ways to get rid of ants with wings in the home.
Setting Traps
Many stores carry insect traps that will attract and eliminate ants and other bugs that may invade your home. This type of pest control is effective for both ants and roaches and can be used as a preventative measure before the problem even begins.
Over-the-Counter Treatments
You will find over-the-counter bug sprays and treatments in the same aisle as the traps. These products vary greatly – some are for prevention, others are for destruction and removal. Shop and compare until you find one that suits your specific needs. Always follow safety precautions with any type of pest control.
Home-made Remedies
One of the best ways to treat ants and other insects around the house is with borax. Simply mix 1 cup of borax with 1 cup of sugar and sprinkle the mixture outside your home, around the foundation. The sugar attracts the ants, and they eat the borax along with it and are poisoned.
Deep Cleaning and Prevention
One of the easiest responses to an insect problem is cleaning. This is especially true with ants. Always be sure to keep the kitchen free of crumbs and food droppings. A good vacuuming on a regular basis is also necessary to keep crumbs and food off of the floor.
Professional Pest Control
If you have a regular pest control service, call them as soon as you suspect any type of infestation. They will usually come right out, examine the situation and spray for whatever they might find. Sometimes this will require more than one treatment.
If you have a particularly difficult problem that is not responding to any of your DIY treatments, it is probably time to call in a professional. Pest control services are able to use a different grade of chemicals than can generally be found in your local discount store, so their treatment can be more powerful than the DIY methods.
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