Topic: FLYING BLACK ANTS

[PREMTAL]

Hi All,
         Until two or three years ago ants were never a problem in Glasgow, but last year we had a swarm, and when I say a swarm I mean a swarm. >:(
 
The Dumbarton road was literally carpeted with black flying ants. It was bad enough to get a TV slot on the evening news.

On taking our dog a walk today(Sunday) a roadside kerb was spewing out thousands of winged black ants.

They did not take to the air but are possibly massing for take off tomorrow.

Given the the climatic changes in our weather up here it would seem that conditions are now suited to an explosion of the ant population >:(

                                                        PREMTAL

[wardy]

I've got ants in me compost bin so I've decided to leave it til they've gone - if ever.  Someone told me that they sprout wings and they'll fly off.  Is that true?  I thought they were a different variety.  Hope my mate is right

Wardy

[Robert_Brenchley]

The winged ones are the males and the virgin queens. They fly off, mate, and the queens look for somewhere to start a nest. A very few of them will survive to do so.