Flying Ants 2019

danjo-xx

My first ever encounter with these, Waterford.



Went to the kitchen window and there was a swarm of them on the inside about the size of two hands.


I freaked out as they were so active and could see these guys filling my kitchen in no time if I didn't kill em quick.


Made a spray of 50/50 water n vinegar and that stunned them like they were drunk and I just picked them all up.


Have they visited you this year!

Graces7

danjo-xx wrote: »

My first ever encounter with these, Waterford.



Went to the kitchen window and there was a swarm of them on the inside about the size of two hands.


I freaked out as they were so active and could see these guys filling my kitchen in no time if I didn't kill em quick.


Made a spray of 50/50 water n vinegar and that stunned them like they were drunk and I just picked them all up.


Have they visited you this year!

No, thankfully. You did so well! I keep fly spray at the ready in case of any invasions.

Gloomtastic!

It always marvels me that an ant, with a brain the size of a pin prick, can predict the weather better than a super computer.

saffron22

Just ran through a massive swarm of them in carrickmines / leopardstown race course. About 3 kilometres of non stop waves of them. All covering the pavement and in the air. Horrible

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

saffron22 wrote: »

Just ran through a massive swarm of them in carrickmines / leopardstown race course. About 3 kilometres of non stop waves of them. All covering the pavement and in the air. Horrible

Horrible?


I find them enthralling and love to see decent swarms.

upupup

I saw 2 swarms yesterday in different places.One swarm was at my front door and the swallows were feeding on them.Everyone that took flight was quickly eaten.
I'd say 1 in 20 got away from my garden,the rest were dinner for the swallows.

we had at least 5 swarms on our patio yesterday .
It was ridiculous,swallows going bananas too.

bobbyss

Marlon Tasteless Stress wrote:

Horrible?

Marlon Tasteless Stress wrote:

I find them enthralling and love to see decent swarms.

Horrible if you swallow one. Enthralling to watch from s safe distance.

Planet X

Last night, front door...........gone now.

mulbot

Planet X wrote: »

Last night, front door...........gone now.

Jesus, I thought mine were bad. Had 2 infestations over the last month.

Steve

I had a nest erupt in the back garden about a week ago. Saw about 10 so gave a squirt of ant powder around where they were. 10 mins later, thousands came out but died shortly after.

Horrible I know but I'm not sorry, have had 2 nests in the house over the years. It's not funny to see your kitchen floor turned black and heaving.

smacl

Steve wrote: »

I had a nest erupt in the back garden about a week ago. Saw about 10 so gave a squirt of ant powder around where they were. 10 mins later, thousands came out but died shortly after.

Horrible I know but I'm not sorry, have had 2 nests in the house over the years. It's not funny to see your kitchen floor turned black and heaving.

I had a few nests near the house which I killed off with a kettle of boiling water. Another couple around the garden I'm not bothered by and also find them fascinating to watch. Got a few very happy spiders in the shrubs and the local bats get very active around now too.

The flying ones are harmless, unless of course you ingest a mouthful while going down a hill at full tilt on the bike

Planet X

I left them alone.
They're gone hours later.
No killing.

Steve

Can anyone clarify? The small winged ones are workers but the bigger ones are pregnant queens looking to establish a new nest.?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Steve wrote: »

Can anyone clarify? The small winged ones are workers but the bigger ones are pregnant queens looking to establish a new nest.?

Not quite. Neither are workers. They are virgin queens and fertile males looking to mate with ants from other nests.