Queens are the largest members of the colony. They have wings, but they lose them after mating and finding a new place to build a colony. Males also have wings, and their sole purpose is to mate with new queens. They will die shortly after mating.
Males and queens will usually mate mid to late spring or summer by swarming, or flying, from their nests. Occasionally swarms will emerge during late winter on warm, sunny days. Swarming typically only lasts for one day, and colonies in the same area will swarm at the same time.
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| photo by Sharon Warner (bugguide.net) |
Ants nest in a variety of places. Some build their homes in soil, producing characteristic mounds. Others may nest in decaying or moisture damaged wood. Ants can also be found building nests indoors behind mouldings, baseboards, or countertops.
If you see swarming ants indoors, this means there is either an ant nest inside, underneath, or very close to the structure of the home or building.
Winged ants are sometimes mistaken for winged termites, which also swarm. If you have swarming termites inside, it is an indication that there is a termite colony in your home. To help identify the correct pest, look for these differences:
Ants-narrow, constricted waist; bent antennae; hind wings shorter than front wings
Termites-rectangular shaped body with no constrictions; straight, beaded antennae; four wings of equal size and shape
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