I’ll never forget the day I shuffled into the kitchen to make my morning coffee, flipped on the light, and discovered flying ants. They were everywhere! Clinging to the metallic surface of my stainless steel sink, crawling along the counter’s edge, and swarming my coffee maker. Many ventured up to the window ledge above the sink, and others swarmed in erratic paths. It gave me the creeps. I rinsed most of them down the drain and turned on the disposal but stragglers continued to show up throughout the house. This experience taught me about ant swarming. The ants grow wings and swarm with one goal—to mate and establish new colonies. I didn’t mind them swarming outside, but what were they doing in my house?
Why Flying Ants Are in Your Home
When you see flying ants, it means the mating season has begun. Seeing them in your yard doesn’t necessarily mean you have an active infestation, but that there is a nearby colony. When you see hundreds, or even thousands, of flying ants inside your home it’s another story. It is most often an indication that there may be a nest within the structure or a colony near your home’s foundation. They can be within the walls, living on rotten wood, or even under a slab.
If you don’t have hundreds but have a significant amount of flying ants in your home, but still clearly a swarm, it might be a species attracted to lights at night. If you’re talking about 10 flying ants or less, they might be accidental invaders that made their way inside through an open door or window. My ant activity fell into the middle category.
Things that attract flying ants into your home include:
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Moisture: Ants are attracted to moisture. In your home, it can be leaky pipes or other sources of moisture. This makes kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms attractive destinations.
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Light: Flying ants are attracted to light and are often discovered around windowsills or light fixtures.
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Food: Some ants are attracted to sweet foods, others to greasy foods, and sometimes pet foods bring them inside.
What to Do If You Find Ants in Your Home?
If you’re like me and find flying ants in your home the first line of defense is to find and eliminate the source of the problem.
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Check your houseplants for signs of ants. They can nest in the soil. Discard plants that appear to be infested.
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Cutaway vines or vegetation touching the exterior walls or windows of your house. (They offer easy access to your home).
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Store your pet food in a sealed container. Pet food attracts ants. Remove pet bowls after they finish eating and clean them regularly to eliminate the scent of food.
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Seal possible entry points around windows, doors, and cracks near the floorboards and check for tears in window screens.
For me, the old house I lived in had gaps along the floorboards, and under the kitchen sink daylight leaked in around the area where the pipes came in. We closed the gaps with caulk.
How Can I Get Rid of Flying Ants?
How you get rid of flying ants will depend on whether they are “accidental visitors” or residents living in a colony within your home. The following includes baits and natural remedies to get rid of newly arrived flying ants (not an infestation of a colony):
Natural DIY Remedies to Get Rid of Flying Ants
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Vinegar: White vinegar is a popular natural remedy for ant control (I’ve also used it for fleas). Its strong scent disrupts the ants’ pheromone trails, which is how they navigate and communicate. To treat flying ants with vinegar, spray a white vinegar/water solution along entry points, countertops, and other areas where ants are active. This can help deter them temporarily.
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Diatomaceous earth: Diatomaceous earth is a natural, non-toxic powder made from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms like diatoms and crustaceans. It works as an effective method for controlling flying ants by physically damaging their exoskeletons, causing dehydration and death. When applied carefully to ant trails, entry points, and areas showing pest damage, diatomaceous earth can help reduce ant populations. However, it’s important to note that while it kills ants that come into direct contact with the powder, it doesn’t eliminate the entire colony, so it may not be an effective option for large infestations.
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Essential Oils: Peppermint, lavender, tea tree, lemongrass, cedarwood, citrus, and cinnamon. These need to be diluted with water.
The Applications to Deal With Flying Ants
There are 3 application options to help fight flying ants.
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Mix a few drops of essential oil with water in a spray bottle. Spray areas where ants are active.
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Mix 5-10 drops of peppermint oil with 1/3 cup liquid dish soap to 2/3 cup water in a spray bottle and spray ants.
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Soak cotton balls: Soak cotton balls in the essential oil and place them around your home.
This solution comes with a warning. Essential oils can potentially harm surfaces like natural stone (marble, granite) and can harm pets, so be cautious. Use appropriate dilutions and ensure good ventilation to avoid respiratory irritation.
If you’re dealing with an infestation, you’ll need to locate and eliminate the nest. Some people I know swear by a Borax and sugar solution of ½ c sugar, 1.5 tbsp borax, and 1.5 c water. Soak cotton balls in the mixture and place them where the ants are active. As communal eaters, they will carry the tainted sugar back to the nest and share the poison.
Over the Counter Options for Killing Flying Ants
The following over-the-counter options will kill your flying ants, but if you’re fighting an infestation choose a bait that the ants carry back to the nest.
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Stem: Kills ants, roaches and flies. I originally bought this product in a spray to control ants around my cat’s food and water and have used it to prevent ants from overtaking my hummingbird feeders. It’s safe around kids and pets. Its ingredients include botanical extracts with the main active ingredient being geraniol and lemongrass oil. They have many products for flying insects, among them is an ant bait that ants carry back to the colony to kill the queen (but it does not work on carpenter ants and a few other species so be sure to read all the information to see if it is the right choice for you). With over 40,000 shoppers weighing in, STEM was voted product of the year for their STEM Flying Insect Light Trap device in 2024.
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Terro: Insecticidal dust like Terro is specially formulated for indoor household use and will kill flying ants, including carpenter ants. It’s easy to apply, and fast-acting but should not be used around areas where food is prepared or processed. You also want to avoid using it around children and pets.
Finding the Best Exterminator at the Best Price
While DIY ant control methods can provide temporary relief they often fail to effectively manage an infestation because they don’t target the specific ant species invading your home, and don’t affect the source of the problem–the colony. If you find yourself in this situation, I recommend calling a professional exterminator for effective long-term results.
To find the best exterminator for the best price:
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Research local companies online: Read customer reviews on platforms like Google and Yelp and check local Facebook groups for recommendations
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Get multiple quotes from different providers
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Compare services and pricing, and ask about any special deals or discounts.
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Ask about warranties and follow-up visits (if necessary)
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Verify their licensing and credentials with your state’s Department of Agriculture
As you go through this process pay attention to how responsive and helpful they are when answering your questions. You want a helpful company that listens to you, has a good reputation, transparent pricing, and a proven track record of effectively handling flying ant issues.
