The phenomenon, flying ants day (or flant day) occurs for a brief period every summer (July / August) and is not as bizarre as it first seems. These winged ants are in fact the familiar black garden ants (Lasius niger) usually found in lawns, flower beds, under patio slabs and if you are unlucky, foraging through your kitchen cupboards.
These winged wonders wait for the perfect conditions – warm, humid weather with little wind. Sprouting wings for a fleeting time, they take a “nuptial flight,” swarming together to mate with ants from other colonies.
Flying Ant Day
Flying ants day is really a short season, lasting from mid-July to late August, depending on the right weather conditions. This is when ant colonies release winged males and future queens on a mission to mate and start new ant colonies.
Paul Blackhurst, Technical Academy Head at Rentokil Pest Control explains:
“Flying ant day, also known as the nuptial flight, is a natural phenomenon in which high numbers of ants with wings, called alates, take to the air simultaneously in search of mates from other colonies. The term ‘flying ant day’ often prompts the common misconception that this annual event occurs within the space of just a day, but in reality, it actually occurs sporadically across different parts of the UK as and when the weather conditions and temperature are right. This natural phenomenon is in fact a survival tactic designed to overwhelm potential predators such as swifts and gulls, thereby increasing their chances of survival.
Mating takes place on the wing between the fertile male (the smaller flying ant) and the unmated female (the larger flying ant). Once mating has finished both will fall to the ground where the male dies and the new, now fertile queen, loses her wings and then starts to bury herself underground to form a new nest.
“Flant” or ‘flying ant day’ is a colloquial term for this mass of swarming insects. This may appear to be a timed event but is just a localised response to the most suitable weather conditions for mating.”
How to get rid of flying ants
Flying ants may be a frustration whilst you try and enjoy a barbecue, picnic, or a relaxing drink in the pub beer garden this summer, but these swarms are short-lived, usually lasting just a few hours. They are also important to the environment – aerating soil, recycling nutrients, and providing food for birds.
If they are causing you a nuisance indoors, here are some helpful ant prevention tips:
Deny them entry!
- Keep windows and doors shut: One of the most effective ways to keep flying insects out is by keeping windows and doors closed.
- Installing a fly screen: If it’s not practical to keep windows and doors closed, you can help prevent flying ants from entering your premises with fly screens, even when windows and doors are open.
- Seal entry points: Check for cracks and gaps around windows, doors, pipework and foundations and seal with appropriate caulking.
- Diatomaceous earth: This natural powder can help dehydrate and potentially kill worker ants. Sprinkle it along ant trails and entry points. It may take several hours to several days to take effect but is unlikely to eliminate the queen ant or the hidden nest.
Eliminate ant food sources
- Clean thoroughly: Wipe down kitchen surfaces, floors, and cupboards regularly to remove crumbs and spillages. Sweep up food debris from under kitchen appliances and units that might attract ants indoors.
- Seal food containers: Ensure all food, including pet food, is stored in airtight containers.
- Eliminate pheromone trails: Use a powerful detergent to eliminate any pheromone trails that foraging worker ants may have left to guide other ants to food sources.
Preventative measures
- Outdoor tidiness: Keep your garden tidy, remove fallen fruit or berries, and try not to create very damp conditions by overwatering plants, as this could attract ants seeking a reliable water source.
- Regular inspections: Conduct regular checks for ant activity both indoors and outdoors to address problems early, before they become an issue.
If you can locate the ant nest outside, consider using DIY ant killer products to try and eliminate it. However, for persistent ant infestations, consider contacting a pest control professional for targeted treatment.
