An ant-like insect with wings

It is also well known that insects are among the most numerous living organisms on planet Earth, and the most famous species are ants and all their derivatives or similar species.

Today, we will learn about all the types that you may have encountered once or more in your day through this article in the following lines.

 

An ant-like insect with wings

There is a familiar shape for ants that we see in our daily lives, but ants have many different breeds, which makes their appearance differ somewhat from one breed to another, as they are divided into predatory species, and these usually have meat as their main food.

There is another type that is not predatory, but eats simple things like leaves. The most famous type, and most of us are familiar with it, is the house ant, which is found in all homes. Over time, it adapts to the atmosphere of the home and depends on the food and other things available inside.
But it's not just ants that are found in homes; ant-like insects can also be present, and the season in which these insects are most present is summer.

They begin to appear and spread more during the cold seasons to gather their food, and we notice their presence a lot. The specifications of the insects are similar to ants, with a black color and wings, and they are called flying ants. Their size is also larger than what is known in ordinary ants, which makes some people describe them as male ants.

 

The reason for the appearance of flying ants in the house

Many people are exposed to the presence of ants of various types in their homes. This, of course, causes harm to them after they spread throughout the house and enter their food, etc. This is due to several reasons that cause the number of crawling or flying ants to increase in small or large establishments. These reasons include the following:

• The onset of summer: One of the most powerful environmental factors that is also considered the main reason for the emergence and spread of ants is the rise in temperatures, or more accurately, the onset of spring and summer. This is when swarms begin to emerge from their homes after winter has passed. Ants are the enemy of winter and hide in their homes when temperatures drop.
• Old homes: Old homes are a prime target for ants, attracting them more than new homes, especially homes with any type of plant growing nearby. To avoid this, it's recommended to regularly spray pesticides on plants and crops.
• Cracks in walls: Some old or cracked homes have cracks that attract ants. They prefer to hide in these cracks until they appear during the seasons of the year. They also allow ants to pass through them from outside to inside the home.
• Old wood types: When using wood to make any furniture, it is preferable to choose new wood. Otherwise, if the furniture has been in use for a long time, it should be replaced. This is because flying ants like to spread within old wood due to the small cracks that exist within it.

Flying ants harm

It is well known that predatory animals or carnivorous and poisonous insects pose a threat to human life, but not only these, even flying ants.

It can be harmful to human health because it flies and lands on dirt and filth all the time, then returns home and lands on food before humans eat it, which transmits all kinds of germs, dirt, and various infections.

 

Getting rid of flying ants

For anyone who wants to get rid of those annoying ants in their home or office, we'll learn below about the best ways to eliminate or limit the spread of ants, especially during the hottest seasons. These methods are as follows:

• Sticky tape: A method that many people don't know about for combating ants or flying insects in general, but it is very effective and widely tested. It involves sticking a strip of tape and placing some food on it to attract the ants. Then, when they approach, they stick to it, preventing them from flying again.
• Insecticides: This is the most common and well-known type. There are many types of it, whether sprayed or powdered, that are used in areas where ants are expected to visit.
• Peppermint spray: One of the lesser-known methods is to use peppermint oil to combat insects, especially flying ants. Mix peppermint and water, then add some soap. After mixing them well, put them in a spray bottle and spray them on the ants, making them feel suffocated.