Flying ants

We had some overnight rain, honestly we did, it´s so long since we saw rain we´d forgotten what it was. However the rain brought out flying ants, clouds and clouds of them, the swimming pool was black with them, the white walls were black with them, they were everywhere. Now they´ve gone, well apart from the odd one or two, all the wings dropped off them and away they go to burrow somewhere else.

Fortunately these flying ants were not as big as the ones we got in Kenya, they were awful, but the locals liked them, they would spread out white cloth which attracted them then cook them with their rice or ugali, protein they said. No I didn´t try eating them, I could never bring myself to try that particular delicacy. Oh and we´ve had some rain tonight too, it´s quite exciting, but still it´s quite warm.

Re: Flying ants

Here in the UK we had our flying ants day a couple of months ago. I have never heard of people catching and eating them.

Re: Flying ants

It seems to be around the middle of August here when some ants take to wing.
Don't think ours are big enough to eat unless you were really desperate .

Re: Flying ants

Facsinating little creatures.

Re: Flying ants

They swarm INSIDE my conservatory,think they probably nested in the back wall for years unnoticed and when conservatory was built were trapped inside.tried various ant traps which they ignored,then tried some terro liquid which they seem to like so hope that's done the job.will have to wait till next summer to find out ! its not just one day they swarm either,we had them for nearly 2 months.

Re: Flying ants

I hope you have sorted out your indoor ants cinnamon girl, I´ve never known them to swarm for 2 months, not that I´m any expert on them. In Kenya we would sometimes get 2 swarms during the rainy seasons but one day maximum they were gone, all that would be left was piles of wings. They were bigger than the ones we get, the wings were the size of dragon fly wings.

Re: Flying ants

Hi Clumsy,thanks,i hope so too ! its not big swarms everyday,mostly a good handful of workers and flyers with a couple of big swarms gradually trailing of to just a few workers then nothing at all till the next year.I assume they all die of naturally leaving their eggs behind.
Don't fancy your african ones ! I met a plague of locusts once, sailing past the west african coast,that was not very nice!!!

Re: Flying ants

We get locusts here too cinnamon girl, not plagues thank goodness, but they are revolting things and make short work of plants in the garden.