Flying Ants

[AngThong]

I guess it's that time of the year, though not every place seems to get them... Unfortunately, my place does, and I don't have a net over my bed. Besides crawling all over the place copulating and dropping their wings, I suppose they don't do anything? Although I can almost swear they're procreating right before my eyes... Otherwise I don't get where the small ones come from. It's irritating to have them come crawling over my computer screen, too.

I can seal off most entrances pretty well, the house is new and decently built - but some get through regardless. I keep the balcony lights on and switch off inside when I don't need light but somehow one or two still manage to crawl over my face & wake me up. Anything I can do or simply wait till it's over (and how long would that take)?

[notmyself]

1 day.

[AngThong]

Well that's good news. Cheers.

[Rooo]

They are not ants , but a variety of termites, usually after heavy rain. Tookies, geckos & dogs love them.

[AngThong]

Interesting... I looked them up before asking and several sites said if they've got two body parts and straight antennas, they're wood-eating termites, but if they've got three parts and bent antennas, then they're harmless ants. Mine have three parts & bent antennas. I don't care which they are as long as they don't do anything I guess the geckos have had a feast all night - I got rid of at least a hundred (caught & threw out) although most never made it in.

You mean they might come back next time it rains? Hope not... I like to keep a window open for fresh air, especially when there's plenty of it (= after rain). I probably wouldn't mind them so much if I had a net over my bed...

[Tropicalevo]

They are not ants , but a variety of termites, usually after heavy rain. Tookies, geckos & dogs love them.

So do my girls (from Issan). They fry them.

Edited April 15, 2013 by Tropicalevo

[Rooo]

Interesting... I looked them up before asking and several sites said if they've got two body parts and straight antennas, they're wood-eating termites, but if they've got three parts and bent antennas, then they're harmless ants. Mine have three parts & bent antennas. I don't care which they are as long as they don't do anything I guess the geckos have had a feast all night - I got rid of at least a hundred (caught & threw out) although most never made it in.

You mean they might come back next time it rains? Hope not... I like to keep a window open for fresh air, especially when there's plenty of it (= after rain). I probably wouldn't mind them so much if I had a net over my bed...

They are harmless to the house, but they burrough into body cavities.So don't sleep with no clothes or you mouth open, I don't know what you will do with ears & nose.

[AngThong]

Interesting... I looked them up before asking and several sites said if they've got two body parts and straight antennas, they're wood-eating termites, but if they've got three parts and bent antennas, then they're harmless ants. Mine have three parts & bent antennas. I don't care which they are as long as they don't do anything I guess the geckos have had a feast all night - I got rid of at least a hundred (caught & threw out) although most never made it in.

You mean they might come back next time it rains? Hope not... I like to keep a window open for fresh air, especially when there's plenty of it (= after rain). I probably wouldn't mind them so much if I had a net over my bed...

They are harmless to the house, but they burrough into body cavities.So don't sleep with no clothes or you mouth open, I don't know what you will do with ears & nose.

Ugh. At least Thais fry them before eating... Eww. I think I should do better next time, I believe all the windows seal tight enough not to let them through and I can place a towel or something against the door, I guess they got in from under the door mostly. But surely I don't have to expect them every time it rains? 8-O Because if I do, then I'll want a proper bed net or else I'll move. I've had lots of bugs in the various places I've stayed but they all had nets so at least I could sleep... I have virtually no mozzies here so there's no net, and here I was thinking this place didn't have much bugs...

[Rooo]

Interesting... I looked them up before asking and several sites said if they've got two body parts and straight antennas, they're wood-eating termites, but if they've got three parts and bent antennas, then they're harmless ants. Mine have three parts & bent antennas. I don't care which they are as long as they don't do anything I guess the geckos have had a feast all night - I got rid of at least a hundred (caught & threw out) although most never made it in.

You mean they might come back next time it rains? Hope not... I like to keep a window open for fresh air, especially when there's plenty of it (= after rain). I probably wouldn't mind them so much if I had a net over my bed...

They are harmless to the house, but they burrough into body cavities.So don't sleep with no clothes or you mouth open, I don't know what you will do with ears & nose.

Ugh. At least Thais fry them before eating... Eww. I think I should do better next time, I believe all the windows seal tight enough not to let them through and I can place a towel or something against the door, I guess they got in from under the door mostly. But surely I don't have to expect them every time it rains? 8-O Because if I do, then I'll want a proper bed net or else I'll move. I've had lots of bugs in the various places I've stayed but they all had nets so at least I could sleep... I have virtually no mozzies here so there's no net, and here I was thinking this place didn't have much bugs...

I was pulling your leg, they are harmless.

[AngThong]

Well I did wake up twice with a few crawling over my face... I thought this was a seasonal thing, biannual or something - I def don't want them crawling on my face whenever there's some rain. I don't even think the raining has been that heavy here, just persistent.

Edited April 15, 2013 by AngThong

[Rooo]

Not every time it rains, but after heavy downpours. They are attracted to light, so perhaps switch the immediate outside light off & have one further away from the house, that should solve your problem, that's what we do.

[AngThong]

Ok... Will have to talk to the landlady about that. I often work on the computer when it's dark and they'll probably be somewhat attracted to that light. Should probably talk to my Brit neighbour as well, he's been living here for a year...

[samuijimmy]

Rooo is correct about them being a type of termite and usually but not always show up during rainy periods after a dry period.... but only for a day or two.... perhaps twice a year...

I have not seen any with this last lot of rain in the last few days. They for sure show up in July usually for me! The geckos get huge .... watch out for them!

[Battybird]

Anyone without them is lucky! We've been overrun (over overflied -sorry) with them in BangPo for last two nights. Loads in the pool and on the pool deck and they are attacted to light like all insects. But they just seem to live a day - is that right, so loads of wings all over the terrace and paths but no real bodies. I guessed it was the rains bring them out as seem to remember them once before when we visited and it rained a lot. Gheckos seem happy though! Let's hope the weather clears up today, I'm fed up of the clouds!

[AngThong]

Ok twice a year I can deal with Even once a month... But not after every bloody downpour!

I like geckos, they eat the guys I don't like The longest I've had in my bedroom was about a foot long but so far only tiny ones at this place, only a few inches. I don't mind bugs and buggers as long as they leave me alone

[notmyself]

My househas mesh screens on the inside of all the windows so don't need to shut the windows.

[evadgib]

This puzzles me on 2 counts:

1. I assumed their 6 monthly appearances were tied to the full moon & were therefore island/country wide.

2. The Bullfrog Chorus that usually accompanies rain hasn't materialised yet this week.

Any David Attenboroughs out there care to explain?

Edited April 15, 2013 by evadgib

[Tropicalevo]

This puzzles me on 2 counts:

1. I assumed their 6 monthly appearances were tied to the full moon & were therefore island/country wide.

2. The Bullfrog Chorus that usually accompanies rain hasn't materialised yet this week.

Any David Attenboroughs out there care to explain?

It seems to me that it is after heavy rain - following a long dry spell.

Where I am - now on the third (and probably last day) for the bug attack.

Frog chorus only near standing water. Yesterday - big puddle near my house - The Frog's Chorus'.

Today - water dried out - just the bugs. (Where do the frogs go?)

[AngThong]

Definitely lots of frogs out there, have to drive carefully not to smash any. Kept everything shut today - no more ants! Had a handful left, went out to eat, came back - saw one happy gecko and zero ants

[Battybird]

And they are out again after the sudden downpour we've just had in Bangpo, buzzing around the terrace, just swept up the last lot!

[maxheadroom007]

Rooo is correct about them being a type of termite and usually but not always show up during rainy periods after a dry period.... but only for a day or two.... perhaps twice a year...

I have not seen any with this last lot of rain in the last few days. They for sure show up in July usually for me! The geckos get huge .... watch out for them!

There is a problem with flying ants but the main issue is with flying termites.

After heavy rain the queen termite kicks out a batch of flying termites called Swarmers. These are males and females sent out to establish a new nest. 99% of them die but 1% find a mate and a place to set up home.

They are attracted to light and this is where you find all the disguarded wings.

The termites fly 500 meters from an established termite nest and so, if you do identify them as flying termites and not ants, then this is a problem becaus you know you have a live, active, termite nest within 500 metres of your house. The termites within the nest will burrow underground over this distance to find food so your house is at risk

[Crazy chef 1]

They are not ants , but a variety of termites, usually after heavy rain. Tookies, geckos & dogs love them.

And the folks from issaan....

[angiud]

One night I had to close my restaurant for a couple of hours. Thousand and thousand everywhere.

I tried to explain my customers they were part of the Isaan pizza topping, but they didn't believe me

[Tropicalevo]

Oh Joy

Rain yesterday, hot today and a zillion flying termites in my house tonight.

That will teach me to close the doors at night!

[AngThong]

I've had no ants/termites but some crickets/mantises I haven't seen before... Not many but I can't figure out how they get in, everything's supposed to be sealed. Big buggers too, 3+ inches. Bathroom window maybe...

Edited May 7, 2013 by AngThong

[notmyself]

I've had no ants/termites but some crickets/mantises I haven't seen before... Not many but I can't figure out how they get in, everything's supposed to be sealed. Big buggers too, 3+ inches. Bathroom window maybe...

Semi aquatic so at that size most likely via the toilet.

[AngThong]

I've had no ants/termites but some crickets/mantises I haven't seen before... Not many but I can't figure out how they get in, everything's supposed to be sealed. Big buggers too, 3+ inches. Bathroom window maybe...

Semi aquatic so at that size most likely via the toilet.

Seriously? Crazy shit. What do they want indoors? I never eat indoors, there are no food scraps, keep everything religiously clean.

[notmyself]

I've had no ants/termites but some crickets/mantises I haven't seen before... Not many but I can't figure out how they get in, everything's supposed to be sealed. Big buggers too, 3+ inches. Bathroom window maybe...

Semi aquatic so at that size most likely via the toilet.

Seriously? Crazy shit. What do they want indoors? I never eat indoors, there are no food scraps, keep everything religiously clean.

Live food, do you have any pets?

[notmyself]

It is said they are like cats which could steal the breath of babies.

Did you know it's dangerous to sleep with cats? You might have heard it's deadly to have a cat around a sleeping baby. These cats are dangerous around adults also. One night while sleeping my cat kept getting in my face. I would wake up and put him away from me. I started getting suspicious of him after about the tenth time. I thought it was strange even for him. I put him away and acted like before, except I half way opened one eye to see him. That cat looked like he was about to pounce on some prey, and then he sneaked across the bed and got on top of my face. It looked like he had the intention to kill me.

http://voices.yahoo.com/cats-deadly-you-1679567.html

[AngThong]

No pets. I guess they'll stay out if I keep the lid down, lol... I generally don't mind bugs in the house, long as they don't spread disease and don't wake me up. Just surprised to find those mantises/whatever they are. Seem easy enough to throw out though.

That sounds like something out of the Onion, lol.

Edited May 7, 2013 by AngThong