Flying Ants!!!!!!!

MIng was exploring the bush outside on his leash and managed to squeeze his way under the fence and into the neighbour's yard. I usually just watch him and make sure he comes back (I probably shouldn't let him do this but, he's on a leash so my rational is I can pull him back any time  )

Anyway... while I was watching him, I felt something  on my leg. I look down and it's an ant crawling up and I quickly swat it away. I'm used to seeing ants around since I am currently at war with them (I've been trying to find their nest but they're everywhere!!!) so I wasn't too  phased but none of them ever dared to climb onto me.

And then... I saw it. 

A HUGE PILE OF ANTS SPROUTING FROM OUT OF THE GRASS RIGHT UNDER MY FOOT!!!

Let me tell you, I have never jumped so high in my life and run so fast towards my cat. I reached over the short fence between my neighbour's yard and ours and grabbed Ming and ran for my dear life back inside.

I then spent the next 10 minutes exclaiming my disgust as I watched the pile of ANTS WITH WINGS GROW AND GROW and then FLY INTO THE AIR LIKE A BLACK CLOUD.

I really hope those ants don't come back. I'm amazed how they just came out of the GRASS that Ming loves to roll in so much. Uggghhh.  I don't think I'll be letting Ming out any time soon. 

Anyone have experience with these flying monstrosities??  

Wow! Not the flying ones, but we had a serious problem with teeny tiny ants in the kitchen a couple weeks ago.

I hate ants. To me, there's nothing worse than working in the kitchen and seeing ants crawling around. 

You are describing a termite swarm. They have wings and sometimes when the nest gets too full, the termites get kicked out and they swarm

blueyedgirl5946 said:

You are describing a termite swarm. They have wings and sometimes when the nest gets too full, the termites get kicked out and they swarm

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 Will they come back? 

mingking said:

 Will they come back? 

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mingking The swarmer termites die. They will not come back. The problem is there is a nest of them in the ground where you saw them coming from. They will be there chewing away on something underground or travel to whatever wood source is nearby. If you know the spot where you were, I would tell the neighbor so the could get that spot treated for termites. Was it near his house.

blueyedgirl5946 said:

@mingking The swarmer termites die. They will not come back. The problem is there is a nest of them in the ground where you saw them coming from. They will be there chewing away on something underground or travel to whatever wood source is nearby. If you know the spot where you were, I would tell the neighbor so the could get that spot treated for termites. Was it near his house.

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Ahh! I did some googling and have educated myself briefly about termites. And now I'm scared! The patch was actually in my yard and not the neighbour's, just near the edge where the grass cuts into being cement. 

I think I'll see if I can convince my parents to get an expert to look at the bugs and make sure it's termites and not ants... Although, the more I read, the more convinced I am that it's termites since I see them EVERYWHERE and always climbing up and down our tree.

Thank you, by the way! I would've always thought they were ants if you didn't mention termites.

Winchester said:

 
Wow! Not the flying ones, but we had a serious problem with teeny tiny ants in the kitchen a couple weeks ago.

I hate ants. To me, there's nothing worse than working in the kitchen and seeing ants crawling around. 

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I'm glad your ant problem is under control now!

Ants just creep me out! I'm not a fan of killing insects (I'll try to save flies too!) but ants... I just don't like em! 

Two years in a row we had a termite swarm. I was not lucky enough to see where they came from. They were just in the air, covered my back porch, the sides of my house, etc. The man who does our pest control which is quarterly spray with a yearly inspection for termites under the house, told me they could have come from anywhere in my yard. He told me not to freak out. It did not mean termites were eating my house. He said if they know where the nest is they will dig into it and spray them. For the next two years, I sat on my porch during the whole month of June watching, determined to see where they swarmed from. We have never seen them again. If I had seen what you saw, yes, I would call the pest control and have them treated. They will be fine as long as there is a source they are feeding from, but they move to look for new meals. :lol3:

blueyedgirl5946 said:

Two years in a row we had a termite swarm. I was not lucky enough to see where they came from. They were just in the air, covered my back porch, the sides of my house, etc. The man who does our pest control which is quarterly spray with a yearly inspection for termites under the house, told me they could have come from anywhere in my yard. He told me not to freak out. It did not mean termites were eating my house. He said if they know where the nest is they will dig into it and spray them. For the next two years, I sat on my porch during the whole month of June watching, determined to see where they swarmed from. We have never seen them again. If I had seen what you saw, yes, I would call the pest control and have them treated. They will be fine as long as there is a source they are feeding from, but they move to look for new meals. :lol3:

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Yes, even though it was gross and creeped me out, I'm glad I was able to witness the swarm so I know where they are. I'm glad your termite problem is gone though!! I'd be just as determined as you to find out where the nest is if I were you!

I haven't seen them around since yesterday and my parents are still convinced they're just ants. They very well could be but I don't want to take the chance. I'll have to do some more convincing to get my parents to agree to calling pest control! Sigh...

Anyway, do you think it's okay for Ming to go out knowing there may or may not be termites in the grass??

Termites will not hurt your cat.

This link shows very good pictures of how to tell the difference between ants and termites. http://www.termite-pictures.com/termite_vs_ant.htm
If you know where you saw them, your parents could do a little digging and get some samples. If they are not sure, then they could put a few in a jar and take them to a pest control business. They would not charge a fee for identifying if they are ants or termites.