Archived on 6/5/2022

Flying Ant Day in SE23

anon5422159

13 Jul '17

Looks like SE23 is having a flying ant day. They’re out in force on HOP high st tonight

Hot summer days, like today, signal an important time in the ant breeding calendar. During the summer months they the begin ‘nuptial flight’ period of their reproductive cycle. Similar to teenagers leaving home and moving away to a new city, the ants do something similar.

To prevent cross-breeding they relocate to another territory and set up a new colony elsewhere. Variables like temperature, weather and localised conditions will dictate which species will choose which day to fly to a new colony. There is not one ‘flying ant day’ but rather many different ones throughout a period of few weeks during July and August. That’s why on days like today you’ll see hundreds, if not thousands of ants in flight - they are quite literally moving house ready to start a new life.

It is believed that the ants pick the day based on the temperature, humidity and day length. The warm and humid conditions make the day perfect for the start of their breeding period, according to Dr Mark Downs from the Society of Biology. Flight is eased by the heat of the air, the humidity makes the ground softer for mated queens to dig nests.

As with everything in ant colonies, the Queen is the leader. She is the one who will lead the males to a new nest by producing pheromones to attract them to a new territory. It’s thought that she will then mate with several males during the nuptial period to fertalise millions of eggs.

Ants have a really important role in our ecosystem; they improve soil quality, help pollinate flowers and feed on other species that eat plants. If that weren’t enough, they’re also a vital source of food for other animals.

RachaelDunlop

13 Jul '17

Actually, they are incredibly localised - you can have them in one street and no others.

We’ve twice had the kitchen invaded by flying ants - not fun. Close your windows, people!

Pauline

13 Jul '17

I hate (very rarely use that word & don’t allow my kids to ever use it) when flying ants invade a Street. If you see me looking like a crazy woman on D Rd with spray, guess you know why

For the record nothing on D Rd today!

applespider

13 Jul '17

I was dodging them on the bike last Wednesday; I don’t think they’d go down as well as the occasional greenfly.

starman

13 Jul '17

Lucky so far on Sunderland Road…