When black ants are seen with wings, they are not a separate species but rather the reproductive members of an existing, mature ant colony. These winged individuals are known as alates or swarmers, and their temporary wings signify a specific life cycle stage. Their presence means the parent colony has reached a size and maturity capable of producing a new generation of potential queens and males. This synchronized, annual reproductive event aims for colony expansion and genetic diversity.
Identification: Ant Swarmers vs. Termite Swarmers
Accurate identification is important because winged ants are often confused with the highly destructive winged termites. The first difference is the antennae: an ant swarmer’s antennae are distinctly elbowed, featuring a sharp bend midway along their length. In contrast, a termite swarmer has straight antennae that appear beaded or uniform in shape.
The waist is another distinguishing feature. Flying ants possess a constricted, pinched waist that creates a clear separation between body sections, giving them a segmented appearance. Termite swarmers, however, have a broad waist, resulting in a body that appears nearly uniform in width. The wings offer a third difference: ants have two pairs of wings where the forewings are noticeably longer than the hindwings, making them unequal in size. Termites have four wings that are equal in size and length, typically double the length of their body.
The Purpose of Wings: The Nuptial Flight
The wings are temporary structures developed only by the reproductive caste—the males and the virgin queens. These specialized individuals grow wings specifically for a mass mating event known as the nuptial flight, a synchronized departure from the parent colony. This flight is triggered by specific environmental cues, typically warm and humid conditions following a rain shower, which softens the soil for new colony establishment.
During the flight, virgin queens release pheromones to attract males, often mating with multiple partners to acquire enough sperm to last their entire lifespan. Flying away from the original nest ensures outbreeding, promoting genetic diversity and strengthening the species. After mating, the male alates die quickly, having fulfilled their biological purpose.
The fertilized female, now a new queen, descends to the ground and deliberately sheds her wings. She then searches for a suitable, sheltered location to excavate a small chamber and seal herself in. Using energy stored from her wing muscles and fat reserves, she begins to lay her first batch of eggs, founding a new colony entirely on her own.
Dealing with Winged Ants
The appropriate response to winged ants depends on whether they are sighted outdoors or indoors. Outdoor swarms are typically harmless and a natural event, often occurring in large numbers before dissipating quickly. Sealing cracks and gaps in the home’s foundation, windows, and doors can help prevent these outdoor swarmers from accidentally entering the structure.
Finding winged ants indoors often signifies that an established ant colony is already nested within the building structure. Simply eliminating the swarmers that emerge is ineffective, as the source colony, containing the queen and thousands of workers, remains hidden. Homeowners should look for signs of infestation, such as trails of worker ants or small piles of wood shavings, especially if the winged ants are identified as carpenter ants.
Carpenter ants excavate galleries in wood to build their nests, often targeting areas with moisture damage, such as around leaky pipes or rotting window frames. Addressing the moisture problem is the first step in discouraging a nesting site. For persistent indoor infestations, using baiting systems near the suspected nest location or consulting a pest control professional is necessary to eliminate the colony at its source.