In your eyes, mouth and even swarming the ground – there comes a point every year when it feels like flying ants are everywhere.
And this summer, experts believe it is going to be worse than ever.
Dubbed Flying Ant Day, it is an annual event when millions of winged male and female ants fly out of their colonies to mate in the air.
The flights actually takes place across the country over a number of weeks in July and August, but this year’s rollercoaster weather has created ideal conditions for particularly hefty swarms.
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According to Best Ants UK: ‘Flying Ant Day in 2025 is predicted to occur earlier than usual, with peak activity anticipated around 22 and 25 of July.’
People living in cities need to be on watch sooner, as urban areas are typically warmer so trigger early mating activities.
Ant prevention tips for your home from Rentokil
- Block entry points into your home by sealing cracks and crevices around doors, windows and pipework
- Sweep up food debris from under kitchen appliances and units
- Clear up any food or liquid spillages immediately
- Store your food in airtight containers wherever possible
- If you have a pet, clear away any food that isn’t eaten straight away
- Make sure all rubbish bins have tightly sealed lids
- Keeping windows and doors shut is one of the most effective methods of preventing flying insects from entering your home
- Installing a fly screen will prevent flying ants from entering your home, whilst still leaving windows and doors open
- Use a strong detergent to remove any pheromone trails foraging ants have laid down to direct other ants to a food source
Pest control company Rentokil say this summer’s conditions, in particular the high humidity, is more suited for swarming.
Paul Blackhurst, Technical Academy Head at Rentokil Pest Control, said: ‘Experts warn that this year could see larger-than-usual swarms of flying ants as we approach Flying Ant Day.
‘This natural event, when vast numbers of winged ants, known as alates, take to the skies at once in search of mates from other colonies, could be one of the most prolific for years.
‘The alternating wet and warm weather we have been experiencing recently is creating the perfect conditions for larger-than-usual swarms, as humidity is important in keeping the ants’ wings and bodies moist during flight and ‘mating on the wing’.
‘Ideal weather conditions can trigger the appearance of tens of millions of them taking to the skies in massive swarms over several weeks across Britain.’
Are flying ants actually a good thing?
While swarms of flying insects may infuriate picnic-goers, the yearly mating season is crucial for the UK’s ecosystem.
The reason ants fly in the first place is so a queen can leave her colony behind and start up a new one.
She then chews off her wings and tunnels into the earth to create a new colony with thousands of babies on the way.
This tunnelling activity is crucial in improving soil quality.
The large swarms are also important feeding opportunities for many species of birds.
Two ant species, the black garden ant and the related cornfield ant, are also vital for the survival of the silver-studded blue butterfly.
They have a mutually beneficial relationship: the ants tend to the catepillars, and in return they feed on caterpillar sectretions.
Blackhurst added: ‘Though it may seem like a summertime nuisance, this swarming strategy is believed to help more ants survive by overwhelming their predators including swifts and gulls.
‘After mating mid-air, the male ants which are smaller will quickly fall to the ground and die. The newly fertilized female queens shed their wings and burrow into the soil to nest and start new colonies.
‘While flying ants might disrupt your picnic, barbecue, or pub garden pint, they play a vital role in the ecosystem by aerating soil, recycling nutrients, and serving as a key food source for birds.’
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