Topic: Ants

[caroline7758]

Just went outside and there are hundreds of ants on my patio and outside my back door. They were all milling around but I couldn't see where they have come from. Any tips for finding the nest? I'm itching just writing this!

[Robert_Brenchley]

The flying ants are probably coming out to fly and mate. They'll have enlarged the entrances, and there will be little piles of soil round the holes, making them pretty conspicuous. Look where the ants are thickest.

[Unwashed]

It was flying-ant-day yesterday in Newbury.

[Digeroo]

They are normally very good weather forecasters and there is normally several fine days after they start flying. 

I once did a house swap with a family in Austria, they had an ant colony in the kitchen which they had left being rather amused by the neat liitle trail down the wall and across the kitchen floor.  However, one day we arrived back and found the entire kitchen completely full to the brim with flying ants.  They were everywhere, never seen so many.

Last year I managed to stamp on them as they came out and this year we have very few in the garden.  I have loads on my allotment so would really like to deal with them this year, they seem to farm blackfly.

[queenbee]

Don't be too hard on the ants, They do more good than harm. they also take plant eating grubs to feed on. The blackfly would still be there without the ants. I do draw the line at them swarming in my kitchen or conservatory and would  deal with them accordingly. I am also waiting for them to swarm, it is usually on a very still warm day. But according to the weather up here no chance this week.

[Digeroo]

No swarming here at the moment.  I left some yoghurt pots upturned among my beans becuase they had the varieties on them, and some of them are now completely full of ants.  If you lift the pots there is a cone shaped mass of seething ants.

Nice to here they are some use.  If one stings me I end up with a huge lump the size of a tennis ball so I hate them especially if one gets in my bed.

[Poppy Mole]

They swarmed here yesterday - last evening after doing the watering I thought a nice rest on the sun lounger & a glass of wine were in order but to my horror it was black with ants & I had to leave th cushions out all night, however this morning all gone.

[caroline7758]

But back to my original question  ;) , any tips for tracing the nest?