Flying Ants: The Complete UK Guide

Every summer, millions of winged ants erupt across the UK on what's known as Flying Ant Day. Here's what they are, why they appear, whether they bite, and how to deal with them.

What are flying ants?

Flying ants are not a separate species — they are ordinary ants (most commonly the black garden ant, Lasius niger) that have grown wings for their annual mating flight. The winged ants you see are the reproductive members of the colony: young queens and males. This event is often called the nuptial flight.

Why do flying ants suddenly appear?

They appear suddenly because colonies across a wide area coordinate their flights to the same warm, humid, still weather conditions — usually in July. Synchronising gives safety in numbers and maximises the chance of mating with ants from other colonies. Read the full explanation →

The UK flying ant questions, answered