Swarms of Small Flying Bugs - What are They? - Ask Extension
We have had swarms of small (about 1/4" long) flying bugs (ants?) on the siding of the back of the house recently. An exterminator could not identify...
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Swarms of Small Flying Bugs - What are They? #127493
Asked May 15, 2013, 7:28 PM EDT
We have had swarms of small (about 1/4" long) flying bugs (ants?) on the siding of the back of the house recently. An exterminator could not identify them. A picture is attached. Please let me know if they are damaging insects and if anything should be sprayed to control them. Thanks.
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
The insects you see around your home are picture-winged flies. They do not bite, and they do not feed on anything other than decomposing vegetative matter. They emerge from pupation in the spring as temperatures rise. No control is necessary.
