As temperatures soar into the mid-30s Celsius across many regions, homeowners are once again contending with an annual surge of flying ants, a natural but unwelcome phenomenon that tends to peak during summer months. These winged insects, commonly seen swarming in large numbers outdoors, are actually reproductive members of the black garden ant species.

According to pest control expert Stephen Wales of Bespoke Pest Control, the flying ants consist of queen and male ants leaving their nests to mate and establish new colonies. The queens are larger, while the smaller males accompany them briefly before dying soon after mating, a process that usually takes place on the wing. This swarming behavior typically lasts only a few hours or, at most, a couple of days, as the ants focus solely on reproduction.

Ant activity rises with hotter weather, and increasingly warm and prolonged summers are expanding their active periods. While most of the swarming occurs outdoors, there are cases where ants can infiltrate homes. Ants typically seek out water sources inside buildings, making kitchens, bathrooms, and other wet areas the most common entry points. By scouting for food and moisture, ants can leave pheromone trails to guide others into a property. Wales recounts instances of ants entering even sealed windows via nests built nearby, such as in potted plants on window ledges.

Homeowners concerned about ant incursions should understand that preventing ants from temporarily flying through gardens is largely impossible. In terms of dealing with ants inside the house, pest sprays and powders are generally ineffective against flying ant swarms, as the insects do not take bait and are simply passing through. Turning off indoor lights—which attract the insects—and opening windows and doors can encourage them to exit the property naturally. Any ants found indoors can be vacuumed up and disposed of outdoors.

When it comes to ant nests, the situation differs. Ant colonies establish nests in locations that are safe and undisturbed, such as beneath patios, decking, turf, flower pots, or debris piles. If a nest is not causing issues, it may be best left alone. However, nests located near homes may increase the likelihood of ants entering buildings. In such cases, using slow-acting ant gels can be effective, as worker ants transport the bait back to the nest, ultimately eliminating the colony. Some also resort to pouring boiling water directly onto nests, but this approach risks damaging surrounding plants and grass.

The annual phenomenon known as "Flying Ant Day" genuinely exists but does not fall on a fixed date nationwide. Generally occurring between mid-July and early August, the peak can shift depending on local conditions, especially recent weather patterns. Wales suggests that moist ground conditions following rain might trigger mass swarming since softer soil facilitates nest emergence. In hotter or drier conditions, the ground can be too hard for ants to burrow easily, potentially delaying their swarming.

While the prospect of facing flying ant swarms is an unfortunate but natural consequence of summer, understanding their behavior and lifecycle can help residents manage and minimize the impact of these temporary but persistent pests.