Are they just flying ants or something else?

Question: Collected in the Brownsville area inside a house.

responder: Bill Gerth  Replied March 27, 2023, 5:51 PM EDT
response: Hi Chuck, Well, those are not flying ants. They are some type of wasp, perhaps in the superfamily Chalcidoidea. Here is an example of another wasp from this superfamily for comparison... https://bugguide.net/node/view/339486 It's possible we could identify the family or provide more details if you submitted a sample of the specimens to the OSU Plant Clinic. Here are instructions for submitting a sample if you would like to do that... https://bpp.oregonstate.edu/plant-clinic/insect-id-clinic/how-submit-insect-and-spider-materials  Yours,

responder: The Question Asker Replied March 27, 2023, 7:54 PM EDT
response: Thank you   Chuck   -----Original Message----- From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> To: Chuck Gibeaut <<personal data hidden>> Sent: Mon, Mar 27, 2023 2:51 pm Subject: Re: Are they just flying ants or something else? (#0093214)

responder: Bill Gerth  Replied March 27, 2023, 8:00 PM EDT
response: Sure thing. BTW...these types of wasps are extremely unlikely to sting people or pets. Most of them have larvae that parasitize and develop within other insects.  Cheers,

responder: The Question Asker Replied March 27, 2023, 11:04 PM EDT
response: Do they nest in the house or cause any other problems? Best way to get rid of them   Thanks, Chuck   -----Original Message----- From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> To: Chuck Gibeaut <<personal data hidden>> Sent: Mon, Mar 27, 2023 5:00 pm Subject: Re: Are they just flying ants or something else? (#0093214)

responder: Bill Gerth  Replied March 28, 2023, 4:26 PM EDT
response: Hey, Chuck, Most of these types of wasps have larvae that are parasites of other insects, spiders, etc., so the wasps may be related to other insects present indoors. I doubt the wasps will cause you any troubles.   Are you getting a lot of these? Do you find them often, or have you just seen them for the last few days?  Not sure about the best way to eliminate these wasps. Do you notice if they are attracted to light? If so, you could place sticky traps near lights or windows to trap & kill them. Also, if they are associated with other insects or spiders indoors, you could do your best to clear any of those out.  If things don't improve, you could submit a sample so we could get a more specific idea about what those are and can look up information about them.  Yours,

responder: The Question Asker Replied March 28, 2023, 4:51 PM EDT
response: It is actually a friend that is having the problem. She just asked us if we knew what they ware. She has been finding them all winter near a window.    Chuck   -----Original Message----- From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> To: Chuck Gibeaut <<personal data hidden>> Sent: Tue, Mar 28, 2023 1:26 pm Subject: Re: Are they just flying ants or something else? (#0093214)

responder: Bill Gerth  Replied April 03, 2023, 10:12 AM EDT
response: That is interesting that your friend has found those all winter. They may have gotten into the house with other insects that have found a way to get into wall voids or other places in the structure of the house to have a protected area to overwinter. I am not sure about that, though. In the meanwhile, it seems like good news that the insects are found near her window. Since they are likely attracted by the light, your friend could set up sticky traps near the window. Hopefully, trapping them out like this could reduce their numbers or eliminate them. Hope that helps at least a little. Yours,

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 03, 2023, 12:00 PM EDT
response: Thank You Chuck   -----Original Message----- From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> To: Chuck Gibeaut <<personal data hidden>> Sent: Mon, Apr 3, 2023 7:12 am Subject: Re: Are they just flying ants or something else? (#0093214)