I’m sure I’m not the only person in the world wondering what else 2020 can throw at us. It’s bad enough COVID-19 has taken over our lives. But add to that the crazy insect world and the bizarre bugs that keep turning up and causing trouble and it starts to feel a little like the old plague and pest thing happening all over again. Religious connotations aside, from murder hornets to the rising of cicadas and the latest giant swarms of flying ants, I’m starting to feel a little antsy (pun intended). So what’s with the flying ants? (1, 2, 3)
Flying Ants: It’s Not Rain
The swarm of flying ants was spotted by the UK’s national weather service, the Met Office. They shared radar images that many might mistake for rain. Instead, it was ant swarms flying over southeast England. (1)
“It’s not raining in London, Kent or Sussex, but our radar says otherwise,” tweeted the Met office on July 17, 2020. (1)
Although it looked like rain, the weather was clearly dry, hot, and sunny. It’s easy to see why there was some confusion once you take a look at the images. The swarm remained visible on the radar for about two hours. (1)
No Clouds, Just Flying Ants
As well, there weren’t enough clouds on the weather forecasters’ satellites to produce rain at that time. Suspicions the particles weren’t raindrops arose when it appeared the “drops” were too long and wide to be a rain. Nope, that’s gotta be bugs. (1)
Flying Ants Hunch Confirmed
It wasn’t long before their bug hunch was confirmed. People started posting on social media about the swarm using hashtags #flyingants and #flyingantday. Yuck. (1)
In areas in eastern England, swarm reports also popped up. However, there weren’t enough flying ants in the area to show up on the radar. (1)
Flying Ants A Summer Tradition
Apparently, flying ants are a British tradition in the summer months. When they appear, they dub the momentous occasion “Flying Ant Day.” However, there isn’t really an official, single day the phenomenon takes place according to the Royal Society of Biology (RSB). (4)
The Right Conditions For Flying Ants
It occurs when young queen ants and males leave their nests to breed and start new colonies. (4)
Ants only take flight when they have the right conditions according to the (RSB). That explains why they all seem to take off together when climate conditions are just right. It’s also the reason there isn’t one specific day that can be declared Flying Ant Day. (4)
According to RSB studies, it has to be warmer than 13C (55 degrees Fahrenheit) and wind speeds have to be less than 6.3 meters (21 feet) per second. Flying ants tend to take flight on summer days with a mean temperature above 25C (77 degrees Fahrenheit). (4)
Flying Ants Are Harmless
The good news is, despite their ick factor, the flying ants are quite harmless. In fact, they are good for the environment. These little flying barons of the insect world keep soil healthy by aerating the ground allowing more water, oxygen, and nutrients to reach roots. They also provide a tasty snack for animals. (4)
